subject: Wind Chimes Of Yesterday And Today [print this page] Wind chimes make pleasant, tinkling soundsWind chimes make pleasant, tinkling sounds. As their name states, wind is the power that moves the tubes so that they contact each other to produce the chiming, or there is a center clapper that hits the tubes as the wind blows the chimes. People hang these sound makers where the wind will blow and the tubes will sound. Generally, the tubes are at a progression of sizes small to larger. The different sizes will have a different voice pitch so that a sweet, yet dissonant tune will play when the wind blows the chimes.
Wind Chimes - The History
The wind chimes that are made today come originally from the ancient East Indian wind-bells. Such wind-bells were placed high in the corners under the eves of pagodas to scare away the birds and the evil spirits. They were usually made of wood and brass. In later years, people in China started crafting wind-bells and hanging them under the eves and inside their temples and homes. The Japanese invented Furin or glass wind-bells. Soon wind-bells and chimes were used all over Asia.
Wind Chimes - Contemporary Use and Design
Today, there are many different styles and shapes of wind chiming mobiles. Instead of tubes or bells, sometimes objects of different appearances and sizes are strung together for a wind chime. Sometimes natural objects are strung together like shells, rocks, wood pieces, and more. Wind chime units are different sizes, as well. Some are only a few inches long, while others can be several feet long. Many chimes are handcrafted. The Japanese Furin is often beautifully hand painted.
Wind chime art is an ancient craft, but many people still do such craft projects today. Wind-bells and chimes are very easy to make and can be very simply decorated, or elaborately carved or painted. The wind-bells still made in India have fantastic design details of flowers and shapes in geometric patterns on each bell.
Otherwise, than hand crafting, many wind chime units are mass manufactured of cookie-cutter sizes fit together uniformly. These manufactured chimes are still lovely and can make a cheery addition to homes and businesses. Wind chimes are readily available for sale. The variety and size drastically varies, so people can choose them for personal taste, to match the style and decor of the house, and for the sound that is produced. The wind chime styles are influenced by a wide variety of international cultures. Still, they are very popular especially as gift items for home decor.
