Windchimes go back in history almost 5,000 years and are thought to be one of the world’s first known musical instruments. Primitive windchimes have been discovered at archeological sites in Southeast Asia and are thought to date about 3000 B.C. At that time, they were usually made of bone, bamboo or other wood, stone or shells, and were believed to ward off evil spirits. Indonesian digs indicate that farmers were using windchimes and other sound-producing wind instruments to scare birds and other animals from their crops and predict wind and weather patterns during ancient times. By 2000 B.C., windchimes had been independently developed along the Mediterranean Sea and in ancient Egypt, where they had been cast in bronze. Ancient Celtic tribes used them to intimidate enemies by making wooded areas appear haunted. Windchimes were also useful for ancient people who lived on or around the sea, as they were believed to provide evidence of impending storms and the possibility of choppy water. Around 1100 B.C., the Chinese created a bell that didn’t have a clapper, known as a yong-zhong and used in their spiritual rituals. Following the yong-zhong, the Chinese developed a form of the modern wind bell called the feng-ling. The feng-ling was hung from the eaves of Chinese shrines, temples, pagodas and caves, believed to be a positive religious talisman that would attract benevolent spirits. The usage of a version of the feng-ling spread from China to Japan and eventually to the Western world, when Asian art, design and philosophy began to influence tastes in Europe and the United States.
Over time, the secular world began the frequent use of windchimes as home and garden decor–sometimes to scare away negative supernatural influence, but often because the sounds prove soothing, calming, or somehow pleasant.
Every day there are many negative events in the daily news and stress in our lives. Making or buying garden décor will help to counterbalance these. A whimsical wind chime, a decorative stake, a garden statue or a birdhouse gives us something pleasant focus on when the stress starts mounting up.
Garden accents help a person to create meaning and inspiration in their lives as they put time and effort into their lawns and gardens in such a way to reflect their deepest thoughts and feelings
A balcony is the most underused spot in an apartment. If you have a balcony, all you need is a little imagination and patience and you can have a small garden to brag about. Hang a wind chime or other garden art to add a personal touch. There should however, be some order in the way you arrange things so the overall space doesn’t end up looking cluttered.
You can grow tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers and many more veggies, all in pots. These are a bit more challenging than a few flowers and if you’re not willing to work a bit harder, consider growing your own herb garden. It’s the best option to grow in pots, needing just water and sunlight.
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice. Sound is one of the most significant factors concerning the flow of Chi, or energy. Wind chimes help by attracting lucky Chi and distributing inactive Chi through the air.
To bring good luck, Wind chimes with four, six, seven, eight, or eighteen rods are best. Metal Wind chimes are best placed in the West, Northwest and North of the house. Bamboo Wind Chimes do best if hung in the South, Southeast or East of the house.