Bells
Bells rung to drive off spirits, mark ritual space or call the gods, used in Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Shinto rite.
Also: ghanta, suzu, church bells, protective bells
Across many cultures, the sound of a bell is held to mark a change and to clear the air of harmful presences. Medieval European church bells were rung in thunderstorms, and some carried the inscription fulgura frango, I break the lightning. In Hindu temples a bell is rung when a worshipper enters, to greet the deity. Tibetan Buddhist ritual pairs the bell, ghanta, with a thunderbolt sceptre, the vajra, and the bell is linked to wisdom. At Shinto shrines a rope hangs from a large bell, the suzu, and visitors ring it before praying. Small bells were fastened to children's clothes and animals' collars as charms, and English Morris dancers wear them. Modern users also hang them on door handles.