Making of a qin

The best guqin are typically made of Chinese fir or parasol tree wood more than 100 years old.

The intricate construction represents the harmonious natural universe and its parts are highly symbolic.

The surface board is curved to represent heaven and the bottom board is flat representing earth. It is 120-125cm in length (3 chi and 6.5 cun representing 365 days).

Along the outside are 13 dots or hui representing 13 lunar months, each spot a harmonic position producing an especially ethereal sound.

Various parts are called the pillar of heaven, pillar of earth, mountain, dragon pond and phoenix pool. The strings represent flowing water.

Master Pei works for two years on each guqin, and produces no more than 20 in two years.

All have many coats of organic lacquer, intended to mute the natural resonance of the wood, so it is not too loud, and the sound is balanced and harmonious. The lacquer also acts as a preservative; the oldest guqin is more than 1,000 years old.

The guqin originally had five strings said to represent the five elements and, according to one legend, signifying the emperor, officialdom, the people, issues and physical objects.

Two emperors in the Zhou Dynasty (c 11th century-256 BC) each added a string, one to mourn his son's death, one to motivate his troops in battle. Strings, originally silk, are today made of steel coated with nylon.