Guqin (古琴), literally mean “ancient stringed instrument”, is the modern name for a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument of the zither family. It is one of the most ancient plucked musical instruments in China. It was named “guqin” since the early period of 20th Century. It was said to be invented by a legendary monarch from the remote ages of China, when this instrument has been favored and performed by scholars and musicians as an instrument of great subtlety and refinement. There was a saying: a gentleman does not part with his QIN or SE (two kinds of ancient Chinese musical instruments, qin means “guqin”) without a good reason. Guqin is sometimes referred to by Chinese people as “the father of Chinese music” or “the instrument of sages”. The most famous ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius was also an expert on playing guqin.
