Culture BlogA blog on all things cultural…

Where it all started

Although no one can be sure as to when the singing bowl first came into use there is evidence to suggest that they did not originate, as many would assume, in Tibet. Countries on the Asian continent were using metal bowls to produce sounds as far back as 1100BC. Over the years that followed the study of sound and vibration had grown so advanced that by 500BC China was producing ‘fountain bowls’. These bronze bowls had two handles and could be filled with water. When the two handles were rubbed together a fountain of water would rise up and the bowl would produce a humming sound.

An example of a hand-beaten singing bowl

The knowledge of singing bowl production would have spread throughout Asia along established trade routes. Many believe that the Buddha, Padmasambhava, crossed the Himalaya mountains from India into Tibet. He bought the teachings of the Buddha into the country and also the knowledge of singing bowls. Contrary to popular belief, singing bowls were not used during any religious practices but were used instead as begging bowls and for food. During this period monasteries only used the singing bowl as a chalice.

Why were they produced?

If the singing bowl was not produced for religious practice then the obvious question is: what were they used for? There are accounts of travelling smiths who would make the bowls with materials gathered during their travels. Other theories suggest it was the monks themselves that produced the bowls. If so though, why were they used for eating and not meditation? What was the reason for having the bowls ‘sing’? The fact is no one can be entirely sure who produced the earliest singing bowls as there is no concrete evidence to support either theory.

However, there are theories that the monks did in fact use the bowls for religious purposes. But, rather than being used during mediation the bowls were used instead as sacrificial dishes. The singing from the bowls was to reinforce them message that each sacrifice was being offered harmoniously. Therefore, even though the bowls would never be rung they still had to be pure in every respect.

How were they made?

Ancient singing bowls were traditionally made of seven various metals, each one symbolising a different planet in the solar system. The sound produced by the singing bowls would vary depending upon how the different quantities of metals were mixed together. The metals would be  combined to form an alloy which would be left to cool before being beaten into the familiar bowl shape. However, each of these ancient bowls varies and can have more or less than the seven traditionally used metals. This would support the theories that it was the travelling smiths who produced the bowls as, during their travels, not all the metals would have been available which explains why each bowl might be of a different composition.

Today’s singing bowls are either made by machine or are hand beaten into shape. Here is our collection of Tibetan singing bowls.

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