When Premier Li Keqiang of China visited Zhejiang, he was presented with a rattle on December 8th, which was later collected by the National Museum of China as its first rattle in history. Rattles have long been more than just children's toys—they carry a deep cultural and historical significance. For many Chinese children, rattles were part of their early memories, symbolizing joy, play, and a connection to tradition.
The earliest form of the rattle was known as “鼗,†a simple but effective percussion instrument used during the Warring States period. These early rattles relied on shaking to produce sound, and while they were used in music and rituals, they were not always easy to control. The complexity of their design made it challenging to achieve precise rhythms, yet they played an important role in ancient ceremonies and performances.
By the Song Dynasty, rattles had evolved into three main categories: one for ritual and music, another for commercial use, and a third as children’s toys. In the context of music, rattles were often used in traditional performances, while in commerce, they served as tools for street vendors to attract customers. This practical use helped spread the popularity of rattles beyond formal settings.
One notable depiction of rattles appears in Li Wei’s "The Vendor Map" from the Southern Song Dynasty. The painting shows a rattle with an elegant design—its handle shaped like a gourd, the drum resembling a can, and the ears crafted like small thongs that struck the drum when shaken. There was also a four-layer rattle, consisting of four drums of increasing size, arranged at 90-degree angles. Each drum had its own set of ears, creating a layered sound that was both melodic and rhythmic. Today, artisans still recreate this design, producing rattles that make pleasing, high-pitched sounds.
Another fascinating example comes from Su Hanchen’s "Five Ruitu," where five boys are shown playing with rattles. Each child holds two rattles in their hands—one above the forehead and the other near the chest. These rattles feature two layers, with the upper drum being flat and round, and the lower one resembling a waist drum. The drumheads were beautifully painted, and some even had inlaid patterns of small flowers, showcasing the craftsmanship of the time.
The widespread appeal of rattles lies in their ability to combine sound and entertainment. Just like the calls of street vendors, rattles could create attention-grabbing sounds, making them ideal for both performance and daily use. Their aesthetic designs also contributed to their popularity, blending functionality with visual appeal.
In terms of structure, rattles can be broadly divided into two types: those with painted drumheads and those with painted sides. Many traditional rattles, such as those from Henan, Jiangsu, and Beijing, feature intricate patterns on the drum surface. Materials vary, with cowhide and sheepskin being the most common, followed by snake skin, leather paper, and oil paper. The drum body is typically wooden, though modern versions may use plastic. The "ears" or weights inside the rattle are usually made of glass beads, glutinous rice, jujube seeds, wood, or porcelain.
Names for rattles differ across regions and generations, with variations like cymbals, gongs, drums, wave drums, sonar drums, and Bolang drums. While these names often stem from different spellings or pronunciations, the term "rattle" has become the most widely recognized today.
From ancient times to the present, rattles have remained largely unchanged in form, reflecting their enduring charm. As seen in paintings and carvings from past centuries, the design of rattles has stayed remarkably similar to what we see today. It's astonishing that such a simple toy has survived for over 2,000 years without losing its original essence.
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