When did the musical instrument cymbals originate?

cymbals originated in western Asia and were popular in the Northern Wei Dynasty. After the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it became an important accompaniment instrument for traditional Chinese opera.

cymbals are called "copper cymbals" and "copper plates" in ancient times, and "cymbals" in folk. It is a common percussion instrument. It has a long history and strong expressive force. It is not only used in national music, local drama, percussion and gongs and drums, but also widely used in folk songs and dances, entertainment and publicity activities of all ethnic groups.

cymbals originated in West Asia, first spread in Egypt and Syria, and then spread in ancient countries such as Persia and Rome. In the East, it was first seen in India, and then in Central Asia. According to the Book of the Northern Emperor SHEN WOO, cymbals were introduced into the Central Plains of China around 35 AD with Tianzhu Music.

In the early 6th century, the cymbals were very popular among the people in the Northern Wei Dynasty, and they were used in Brahma music very early.

cymbals have been used in Tianzhu, Xiliang, Qiuci, Anguo and Kangguo among the nine pieces of music in Sui Dynasty.

in the Tang dynasty, seven out of ten pieces of music used cymbals, especially in Yan music, and there were differences between bronze cymbals and copper cymbals. In the murals of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in the Thousand Buddha Cave in Dunhuang and the music and dance stone carvings of Tomb of Wangjian, the former Shu emperor of Chengdu in the Five Dynasties, there have been portraits of beating the bronze cymbals.

During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, cymbals were accompaniment instruments in local operas such as Kunqu Opera.