What Is A Singing Bowl?
If you’ve ever been to a yoga class or meditation sitting, there’s a good chance you’ve heard a singing bowl. Often used to signal the start or end of a meditation period, singing bowls are known for producing a soothing, relaxing, sustained musical tone.
This is an example of what a singing bowl sounds like:
Singing bowls are also sometimes referred to as standing bells. Generally, the tone is produced by gently striking the outside of the bowl or rubbing the outer rim in a circular fashion with a wooden mallet.
Singing bowls can be hand-hammered or produced by machines. They are made out of many different materials, but bronze and brass are two of the most common forms. Also commonly referred to as meditation bowls, prayer bowls, chakra bowls, or crystal bowls, Tibetan singing bowls commonly have religious or spiritual writings etched on the outside of the bowl. They come in many different sizes, from full-size bowls that are several feet deep to small bowls that fit in the palm of your hand.
While the history of singing bowls probably dates back to around 500 BC, it wasn’t until the 1970s that they were commonly imported to the West. Now, singing bowls are a common staple of meditation, yoga, chanting, sound therapy, ASMR, and many more wellness-centered practices across the world.
Singing bowls are available from a wide variety of producers across the world, though they are most commonly manufactured in Nepal and China. They range in price from as little as $10-20 USD for small machine-manufactured bowls, all the way up through several thousand dollars for large and rare hand-crafted pieces.
Learn More About Singing Bowls
Click here to learn more about the history and modern use of singing bowls, and browse some of the most popular varieties available today.