Xu Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Metal (jīn)
Zheng
Kangxi strokes: 13
Page 1303, Entry 01
Pronounced zheng.
Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen): A percussion instrument similar to the nao. It is shaped like a bell with a hollow handle that is open at both ends.
Yupian: The zheng is sounded to halt marching and maintain silence, while the drum is sounded to signal an advance. Another opinion suggests it is a type of zhuo percussion instrument.
Book of Odes (Shijing), Lesser Odes: The zheng player strikes the drum to pass on orders.
Pu Dounan stated: The Rites of Zhou (Zhouli) records that the drum master used metal zhuo to regulate the beat and metal nao to cease the drumming, but there is no mention of a zheng. The zhuo and the nao are collectively referred to as zheng.
Su Shi: The morning sun rising above the tree branches looks like a hanging copper zheng.
Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Winter Offices, Record of Artificers: When the Fu clan casts bells, the upper part of the drum section is called the zheng. Commentary: The area struck by the drumstick, located above the waist of the bell and in the center of the bell body, is called the zheng.
Also refers to a stone drum.
Records of the Commanderies and Kingdoms (Junguo Zhi): On the east side of the palace gate at Dongting Mountain, there is a stone tower. Beneath the tower are two stone drums. When struck, their sound is clear and resonant, and people call them divine zheng.
Jin Dynasty, Xiaowu Music Chapters: One peal of the divine zheng rings out, and the nine provinces of the realm submit in unison.