Connection Between (Bells - Spirits - Water): Link in myths and legends between Bells, Water, and Spirits. Many years ago, Water was seen as the element that joined the world of the living and the world of the dead. Spirits could make contact through Water and the idea of spirits coming out of the sea would not have seemed strange. From early times, it was also believed that the spirits of people who died suddenly or violently, or who had not had a proper burial, would not rest, and would wander the earth. Bells were used in celebrations such as weddings or to call people to pray. The priests would throw Bells into rivers, streams, or springs to get rid of bad spirits and make the water pure.
Throughout history, Bells have also been used to signal good or bad news. Bells were rung at funerals or as a warning of invaders or war. They were even rung in times of plague, to tell people to bring out their dead. You probably associate Bells with religious activity, and rightly so, because they are often ordained for some spiritual purpose. While some Bells are merely decorative or serve some benign practical function, their appearance and use usually involves idolatry and magical enchantments. Bells, chimes, jingles, cymbals, and gongs are commonly said to be good luck and are often used to ward off evil spirits.
Any spiritual significance of any Bell comes from the hearer of the Bell, rather than the Bell itself. To some, the Bells are calls to prayer, and sometimes for some people, a Bell at a specific time is a call to a specific prayer. To others hearing the same sounds, the Bells simply denote the time of day, and to still others, they sometimes are only a nuisance to be endured.
Legends surround them, and beliefs abound concerning their special powers to induce rain or to dissolve storm clouds; to thwart demons when worn as amulets or when placed on animals, buildings, or conveyances; or to invoke curses and lift spells. African rang Bells to communicate directly with spirits, the fading tone of the Bell is considered spiritually significant. Bells directly addressed the deity - hence, huge ones were cast by both peoples to lend greater authority. Bells are consecrated before being used liturgically. Among the most basic and widespread uses of Bells is signaling - marking significant points of ritual, calling to worship, tolling the hours, announcing events, rejoicing, warning, and mourning.
It's common around the globe to find the Belling of livestock and horses. "In folk-magic brass is used to effectively repel witches and evil spirits. The protection is thought to be similar to that given by iron. It is used to make various kinds of amulets. Brass Bells are hung around the necks of horses, cows and other animals to protect them against the evil eye."
Throughout society and culture around the world, Bells have a multitude of meanings and purposes. Bells symbolize beginnings and endings. Bells are rung at weddings, funerals and to kick off boxing rounds. Bells announce that someone's at the door or on the phone and warn us not to cross railroad tracks. Chimes tinkling in the breeze can relax us and help us guess the speed of the wind. Bells even have the power to tell us what to do! Alarm clocks tell us to wake up and school Bells tell us to get to class.
The Bell was therefore originally rung for two reasons: Firstly, to seek the prayers of all Worshipers for a soul just departing; Secondly to drive away the evil spirits who stood at the bed’s foot and about the house, ready to seize their prey, or at least to molest and terrify the soul in its passage; but, by the ringing of the Bell evil spirits are afraid of the sounds of Bells, they were kept away; and the soul, like a hunted hare, gained the head start.
The Meaning of a Bell in a Dream: In our dream we may see Bells or hear them or both. Bells are important to many religions and cultures around the world. They may be deep and resonant, light, and joyous, sad or celebration. Bells are not things we see or hear as often as we might have in previous generations, but their symbolic significance still holds a profound sway over many of us. And while we may not see actual Bells so often in day-to-day life, we still have more abstract Bells around us in many forms – doorbells, the “ring tones” on our phones, the alarm clock and so on.
((Tones have a healing effect on our bodies, calm our minds and awaken our spirits. The resonance and vibration of sound releases stress and emotional blockages in the body and calms the mind. The calming of mind expands conscious awareness and connection with spirit. Wind chimes thereby help enhance the mind/body/spirit connection bringing us a sense of peace and wellbeing.))
AGOGO = GANKOGUI = GA-KPE-VI = CAMPANA = BELLS = GONG = CLOCHE
The Bell is a clapper less metal Bell idiophone of West Africa. It is included in the instrumentation of a wide array of ensembles West Africa. The Agogo/Gankogui is sometimes referred to as Gakpevi, or “forged iron carrying a child”. The larger Bell is the parent of the smaller one. The Agogo/Gankogui is comprised of two conical-shaped flanged Bells of differing size joined at their apexes. Each Bell is made from two arched pieces of sheet iron with a pronounced tapering so that when their edges are welded together a deep cone-shaped vessel result. The larger Bell is approximately twice if the smaller one. The apex of each Bell is welded to the flared end of an elongated piece of iron that serves as the bell’s handle. A wood dowel is used as a beater to strike the rims of the Bells, which are what vibrates most energetically when the bells are played.
Musical instruments have played a major role in the lives of human. Whether for entertainment, religious or economic reasons, the beautiful thing is that it transcends boundaries, race, or class. Musical instruments come in different shapes, forms, sizes, and the kind of sounds they produce The Bell is skillfully playing to generate distinctive sounds ranging from sharply percussive clanks to deep, resonant notes. The sound of Bell charges the heart of the warriors, and through the rhythm emanating from the gong, the warriors go into battle courageous and resolved to defeat the enemy.
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