Why Seven Metals? The Unique Composition of Singing Bowls
The unique composition of 7 metals singing bowls a deeper story, where metals hold both practical & symbolic meanings.
Seven Metals & Alchemy
In alchemical traditions, each of the seven classical metals from which singing bowls are made of (gold, silver, mercury, copper, iron, tin, and lead) was associated with a specific planet and quality. For example:
- Gold symbolised the sun, representing purity and illumination.
- Silver was tied to the moon, symbolising intuition and reflection.
- Mercury embodied transformation, mediating between the earthly and the abstract.
Alchemists saw metals as stages of refinement, evolving toward a form of “perfection.” This process wasn’t mystical but a reflection of early scientific understanding. By combining these seven metals in singing bowls, a lineage of alchemical thought lives on, adding both tonal complexity and historical depth to the instrument.
Metal in Ancient Healing Practices
In traditional Himalayan and Tibetan sound practices, sound healing with singing bowls has ancient roots. Each metal is chosen not only for its sonic properties but for its unique vibration, creating a transformative experience. These seven-metal alloys have been produce a range of frequencies that enhance focus and introspection. This sound technology, while rooted in the past, continues to captivate listeners with its depth and resonance.
Individual Roles of the Seven Metals in Singing Bowls
- Copper – Known for its conductive properties, copper has long been associated with vitality and energy. In singing bowls, it enhances the transmission of sound vibrations, grounding the tone with stability and warmth.
- Tin – Valued for its flexibility and resilience, tin allows the alloy to bond and adapt, creating a sound that is versatile and adaptable to various practices.
- Lead – Historically linked with grounding, lead adds depth to the bowl’s lower tones, providing a stable, anchoring quality to the sound.
- Zinc – Known for its purifying properties, zinc contributes strength and durability, ensuring that the bowl’s sound remains clear and enduring over time.
- Iron – Iron’s strength projects the sound outward, giving the bowl its powerful, resilient quality. This metal is associated with resilience, symbolising endurance in many ancient traditions.
- Mercury – Known for its fluidity, mercury adds a unique adaptability to the bowl’s tone. Its symbolic association with transformation complements the dynamic quality of sound in these bowls.
- Gold – Symbolising purity, gold enhances the bowl’s clarity, giving it a bright resonance. Each note carries a refined precision, making it stand out with purity.
- Silver – Linked with reflection, silver adds a high, clear note that balances the deeper tones, bringing an element of insight and clarity to the bowl’s sound.
Iron as a Protector
Iron holds unique symbolism as a metal of protection. In European folklore, iron was believed to repel negative influences, leading to customs like placing iron horseshoes above doors. The metal was also significant in West African Yoruba culture, where it is sacred to Ogun, the god of metalworking and labor. Iron’s presence in the singing bowl alloy brings these associations of strength and protection into the sound experience, providing a layer of historical significance with each use.
The Philosopher’s Stone
The legendary Philosopher’s Stone was believed to transmute base metals into noble metals, like gold. While the stone itself was a symbol of transformation, metals like lead and mercury represented stages of growth and refinement. In the alloy of the singing bowls, these metals contribute both a practical depth to the sound and a playground for personal exploration, resonating with the alchemical journey toward understanding.
Chinese Five Elements (Wuxing) and Metal
In traditional Chinese medicine, metal is one of the five elements and is associated with clarity and balance. Metals like gold and silver are linked to the respiratory system, symbolising purification and resilience. These properties are thought to enhance physical and mental clarity, aligning with the qualities that metal brings to the experience of sound in singing bowls.
Indigenous Beliefs and Sacred Metals
In Indigenous North American cultures, metals like copper were seen as life-sustaining. Copper’s presence in singing bowls aligns with its historical role as a symbol of health and balance. Silver, with its reflective qualities, was associated with intuition and lunar energy, adding another layer of tradition to its role in the alloy.
Science and the Complexity of Metals
Modern science reveals metals to be extraordinary in structure, bonding, and properties like conductivity and resilience. Gold, zinc, and iron are not only integral to technology but are also essential elements in biological systems. In singing bowls, these metals come together to create a harmonic resonance that aligns with both ancient and contemporary understandings of sound.
Each metal, from copper to gold, tells a story of development, connection, and insight—a story that continues today in both traditional practices and modern applications. At Tantra Sound Club, we honour this legacy with our seven-metal singing bowls, carrying forward the wisdom and craft of these ancient materials.
To discover more & take the sound of silence with you, visit www.tantrasound.club.
OFFICE:
167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th floor - W1W 5PF - London
STUDIOS:
13-14 Warren Street W1T 5LH - London
EMAIL:
club@tantrasound.club
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+44 7448013460
