Description: The xun [pronounced hun] is an ancient
vessel instrument that belongs to the aerophone family of instruments. The xun
has its origins in the Zhou Dynasty China [1045 BC to 256 BC]. In its first
developmental stages the xun had many shapes, sizes and pitches. The xun is
classified as an "earth" instrument due to the material it’s made of
according to the Chinese classification system. Throughout various periods in
Chinese history the xun was made in various shapes eggs, balls and olives.
Traditionally the xun is associated with Taoist and Confucian ceremonies. The ancient Chinese associated the xun with the “sounds of autumn” and in the Shang Dynasty [1766-1122 B.C.] the construction and methods for making the xun became standardized. According to an ancient legend the xun was made by the first male ancestor in China, Bao Xin Gong of Fuchi.
During an archeological dig that occurred in the 1920s and 1930s at the Hemudu cultural site [3000 BC to 5000 BC] at the Yuyao, Zhenjiang village xun-artifacts have been discovered. Because of this dig the interest of the xun ensured its revival. In Taiwan however the xun remained intact for many years. In Hong Kong there are a few known soloists of the xun. The xun recently became popular in use through Chinese contemporary music and in particular cinema scores.