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A bell is a hollow, metal vessel in the shape of a cup with a clapper suspended inside. The bell rings with a clear, musical sound when the clapper strikes it. Bells serve many purposes, and their sound forms a familiar part of daily life. Church bells summon people to worship. Bells ring to announce important events such as 12 o’clock on New Year’s Eve.

Bells like many other musical instruments originated in Asia. They were known in China in the 800’s B.C. Archaeologists have found a richly ornamented Assyrian bronze bell, used for ceremonial purposes, that dates from the same period. In ancient Greece, the ringing of bells announced that freshly caught fish had arrived at the market. In times of war, bells rang to warn that enemies were approaching the city gates. In Rome, bells called the faithful to worship in the temples. Bell ringing also accompanied the funeral services of the emperors. Later, Celtic tribes, who were famous for their metal-casting techniques, bought bells from Asia to Northern Europe.

One of the oldest bells in Great Britain is the Bell of Saint Patrick’s Will, at Belfast. Legend says that it belonged to St Patrick. Bellmakers often put the year the bell was cast on the bell. A bell in Drohndorf, Germany, dates back from 1098, and one in Pisa, Italy, is marked 1106. The size of bells increased in the 1400’s.

Bells have always been closely associated with religious services. Since the 500’s, Christians have used them to summon worshipers. Church bells often toll to announce a death. Bells have served many other purposes. In England during the Middle Ages, a bell rung at evening announced the curfew. For many years, town criers rang bells to attract attention to their notices. In many countries, people used bells in case of fire, to call city council meetings, and to remind citizens of tax deadlines. In pioneer days in America, bells warned of Indian attacks. Bells have often been used in musical compositions.