Chime Stone(磬):
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: qìng，Written as:

The chime stone is a type of ancient Chinese percussion instrument made from stone and used in ceremonies. The character for chime stone in ancient script shows the left half resembling a hanging stone, and the right half depicting a hand holding a mallet striking it. Originating from a type of flaked stone labor tool, its shape has undergone various changes over time, and its material has evolved from the original stone to include jade and bronze. It is a struck idiophone. In ancient China, it was a stone percussion instrument, classified under the “stone” category of the traditional eight tones.
The chime stone was initially used in ancient Chinese music and dance, and later in the halls of emperors and upper-class rulers for banquets, Ancestral Temple sacrifices, and ceremonial music performances during diplomatic rituals, signifying their status as a “ceremonial instrument.” After the Tang and Song dynasties, as new music emerged, the chime stone was used solely in the Elegant Music ensembles for ritual ceremonies.
The chime stone is one of China’s oldest national instruments, known for its simple, antique design and exquisite craftsmanship. It has a long history, dating back to ancient matrilineal clan societies, when it was referred to as “stone” and “sounding ball.” In those times, people lived by fishing and hunting, and after labor, they would strike stones and dance dressed as various wild animals for entertainment. This practice of striking stones gradually evolved into the percussion instrument now known as the chime stone.
The history of the chime stone dates back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties, first appearing in the ensemble of bells and chime stones, played alongside other instruments like bells and drums. The chime stone played a crucial role in ancient court music and sacrificial ceremonies, forming an important part of ancient Chinese Rites and Music culture.
The chime stone is typically hung from a frame and played by striking it with a mallet. Depending on the material and craftsmanship, chime stones can produce different pitches, allowing them to be assembled into sets for playing complex musical compositions. This type of instrument ensemble is known as “assembled chime stones.”
With the passage of time, the chime stone has gradually faded from regular musical performance and has become more of a historical and cultural symbol, commonly seen in museums or as a subject of cultural relic research.