An Article That Describes Bells And Their Different Figures And Sizes
Bells have a unique way of touching our imagination and hearts
. It doesn't matter if they are grand chimes ringing from the local church letting us know it's time to pray or hung on a door to the special restaurant down the street, they have a special and enchanting grasp on what would just be another normal day. We are not the only ones that have been blessed by their sweet sounds.
Bells have been ringing since antiquity, but they have not been the musical instruments or warning signals that were popular during the middle ages or still are in some more out of the way places in the world. They were used in ancient prayer rites as well as aids to worship as well as for casting magic spells. They were also placed on doors to houses to signify blessings.
It was believed that smaller bells would drive away bad omens and bring protection from spirits and danger by those who wore them. It was thought that the sounds from bells would invite and draw kind and good spirits around people.
There have been various discoveries of bells around the world. In Asia, bells were found to be shaped like squares, while in South America they took rectangular form and were made from wood.
The bells that we are familiar with today came from simple versions of various sizes and shapes. Discoveries have been unearthed in the Middle East that reveal designs that were made of bronze that took the shape of beehives.
The Christian Church started to cast bells as art during the eighth or ninth century. Over the years, artisans discovered that bells that were shaped longer could make a more deep and resonating sound when they were struck.
Likewise, if they were made a little bit smaller and thicker, it would make a higher pitched sound. It wasn't until many centuries later when Europe during the middle ages discovered the familiar bowl shaped bells that could be struck from the outside.
Bells that are made today owe their sounds to the continual refinement of designs developed over hundreds of years. Some large bells can be heard for miles when they are struck.