Wind chimes
Metal, bamboo wood, Feng shui bells, gongs
The soft and harmonious melody of a tuned wind chime cradled in the breeze... What could be better than a wind chime
to add a touch of magic and a Zen atmosphere to your garden or balcony?
What are the benefits and uses of wind chimes?
The tradition of wind chimes originated in China, where they were often hung in bamboo forests. In those days, the sound produced by the wind was heard as an omen that, according to the senfutaku divination technique, heralded good or bad news. In Japan, for over a thousand years (Heian period), first in temples, and more recently in homes, the delicate chanting of wind bells or furin in summer has warded off evil spirits and disease.
Much more than decorative chimes, wind chimes create an atmosphere and sounds conducive to relaxation and wonder. They are a must for Zen gardens and outdoor spaces where you want to benefit from positive and harmonious energy. They are widely used in Feng Shui, as their sounds help to improve the circulation of energy in the space.
Which design to choose?
There are all kinds of designs in different materials and colors:
- Tube chimes are made of metal tubes, usually aluminum, sometimes wood or bamboo, of varying lengths. The number of tubes determines the number of notes. The greater the number of tubes, the greater the chime's ability to combine different sounds. The longer the tube, the deeper the sound and conversely, shorter tubes produce higher-pitched sounds.
The part that comes into contact with the tubes to produce the sound is called the carillon clapper. - Bell chimes consist of one or more bells. Although Japanese bell chimes and Buddhist bell chimes are the most widespread and popular, this style of chime can be found in many different cultures.
- Gong chimes have a design that is perfectly suited to a Zen atmosphere. Here, no tubes but a metal gong on which a ball strikes to make the gong sing.
- koshi or zaphir chimes are made proportionally to the golden ratio and perfectly tuned. They consist of a resonance tube inside which 8 strings are welded to the base. Wonderful therapeutic tools and musical instruments accessible to all, they can also be used as door chimes and wind chimes, but only in sheltered locations. Beware, there are many copies of these famous chimes. You'll find genuine Koshi and genuine Zaphir chimes on the dedicated pages of this site.
Where to place a wind chime?
To take full advantage of its benefits, a wind chime is usually placed outdoors so that it can be rocked by the wind. It can be hung from a tree branch, a hook over your balcony or a garden arch.
Precautions for use
While these chimes are designed to be placed outdoors and withstand the elements, some of them, especially those with wooden parts, are not designed to withstand prolonged freezing or harsh weather. For greater durability, if your chime is in an unsheltered location, we recommend storing it in winter.
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