The Encyclopedia of Crystals, Herbs, and New Age Elements: An A to Z Guide to New Age Elements and How to Use Them - Adams Media 2016

Wind Chimes
The Power of Sound

ORIGINS

A wind chime is an arrangement of suspended tubes, rods, or bells spaced close together so that when the wind blows they collide and produce a jingling sound. Wind chimes may be almost any material but are most often glass, wood, metal, or ceramic. They are typically hung outside the home, in the garden, or in another location where they can be enjoyed both visually and aurally. The word chime derives from the word cymbal, which comes from the Greek kumbe, meaning “bowl.”

HISTORY/LORE

The earliest evidence of wind chimes, found in Southeast Asia, dates back to roughly 3000 B.C.E. Made of bone, wood, or bamboo, these early wind chimes were used to ward off evil spirits. Wind chimes are also a fundamental part of the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui and are thought to support the flow of chi, or universal energy.

USES

The simplest use of a wind chime is for relaxation. The pleasant jingling sound can calm and focus the mind, reduce stress, and bring clarity. You might also find this helpful during practices like yoga and meditation. If you don’t have a wind chime of your own, you can use a recording of wind chimes; there are many available online. For feng shui use, be sure to revisit the bagua in the Introduction of this book to match the material of your wind chime to the appropriate sector of the home. For example, metal is associated with the western area or the Children/Creativity sector, while wood is the element for the eastern area or the Family/Foundation sector.