Singing Bowls
Singing Bowls originated in the Himalayan mountains with the ancient Bon people. These bowls were of a metal alloy and were used for sacred sound ceremonies and rituals. Today they are also being made of crystal glass in the states and gaining popularity. Massage and Yoga practitioners play singing bowls for their clients to facilitate healing as the sound is not only entrancing to the ear, but the vibrations are felt on a cellular level. The notes contain many over and undertones and are said to connect to the chakra system in the body. They also help reduce the “monkey chatter” within our heads and bring a sense of calmness which ultimately helps healing.
Ceramic Singing Bowls
These bowls are unique! They are some of the only singing bowls in the world made from clay and the process was developed by Marston. The bowls you see here resonate harmonically as the Tibetan and crystal prayer bowls do yet with their own subtle clay cadence. Every step is important to creating such extreme resonance: the shape, clay body, glaze, and firing all need to be perfect. Each bowl is unique, the note cannot be predetermined, and not every bowl comes makes the cut. Extreme thinness helps them sing best so they must be trimmed exactly. Sometimes weight is taken off in the center adding a design while lightening it. Each bowl has an artist made stamp in the bottom. The red glaze often has a black overlay to smooth the lip while adding beauty. These bowls are also safe to eat out of, however it is wise to be careful when handling them, avoid sharp knocks and hand wash and dry.
The Discovery!
Marston discovered the process for making ceramic singing bowls and has been producing these extraordinary bowls for over a dozen years.
“I had been a potter for many years while also on a priestess path. I started incorporating goddess and nature based symbolism into the work and images began to pour out of me and the clay. I felt truly led to a beautiful supple yet strong clay body that I fired extra hot to achieve a deep rich red. At the same time my bowls, that I pride myself on, started to sound beautiful when tapped, like bells. I would sound out little songs for fun until one night I thought to try playing one – oooooo – it was magic! Deep resonant sound filled the studio. We were amazed and not every bowl could do it, they had to be a certain way. No one had heard of a ceramic singing bowl and it is still extremely rare. Since then I have been fine tuning the process into consistant beautiful singers and today I am still awed by the power and beauty of these magical bowls.” – Marston Blow
Meaning and Symbolism
Aside from the images stamped or sculpted into the bowls, the physical parts also hold meaning.
Bowls represent the Female: the chalice, the womb, the circle, receptivity, the void where everything returns to be reborn into manifestation. The mallet represents the Male: the wand, the seed, phallus, the hierarchy, action, and the beginning. Zero and One. “She” needs the cooperative action of “he” so they both can come to potential. Working together in balance they can create something magical to connect us with the Divine.
