Collected Illustrations of the Three Powers: Implements

The Rites of Zhou original: 周禮 (Zhōulǐ); a ritual text describing the ideal bureaucracy of the early Zhou dynasty records that the Director of Chariots original: 巾車 (Jīnchē) was responsible for water routes and the setting up of the Great Signal Banner original: 大麾 (Dàhuī) during hunts or when enfeoffing vassal states. The Book of Documents original: 書 (Shū); one of the Five Classics of Chinese literature states: "One holds the white ox-tail banner to signal." This refers to the standards established during the Zhou period.

In later generations, the Harmonizer of Tones original: 協律郎 (Xiélǜ láng); a court official responsible for ensuring music was played at the correct pitch held this banner to command the musicians. Its construction stands seven feet high, with a pole decorated at the top with a dragon’s head. It is adorned with crimson silk and features a painting of an ascending dragon upon it. When the music begins, the banner is raised; when the music stops, it is lowered. Inside the ritual hall, it is placed by the western steps; outside the hall, it is positioned in front of the hanging instruments original: 樂懸 (yuèxuán); the large racks of bronze bells and stone chimes.

The Xiang-Drum

original: 相 (Xiāng)

Within the Eight Sounds original: 八音 (Bāyīn); the traditional classification of musical instruments by their material: silk, bamboo, wood, stone, metal, clay, gourd, and hide, the drum is considered the "Sovereign," while the Xiang is considered the "Minister." Thus, the Xiang serves the drum. Its shape is similar to a Pi original: 鼙 (pí); a small ancient drum, with a leather surface and an interior stuffed with chaff. It is supported by a lacquered stand and struck to produce sound.

It is used to assist the music. The Record of Music original: 樂記 (Yuèjì); a chapter of the Book of Rites states: "Order and chaos are regulated by the Xiang." Many historical illustrations of musical instruments by various scholars treat the Xiang as the primary tool for marking the tempo original: 節 (jié); the beat or rhythmic regulation. The Xiang assists the music and also serves to regulate the movements of the dancers.

The Ying-Drum

original: 應 (Yìng)