A photo of sanxian, a centuries-old plucked instrument with deep-rooted cultural traits.

The sanxian is a centuries-old plucked instrument with deep-rooted cultural traits.

According to famed sanxian performer Zhao Taisheng, the total length of a big sanxian is 3 chi, 6 cun and 5 fen or about 123 centimeters per Chinese measure, corresponding to 365 days in a year.

The fingerboard is traditionally measured 2 chi, 4 cun long, matching the 24 solar terms in the Chinese calendar.

The instrument’s three strings are often seen as representing heaven, Earth and humankind.

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The front of the drum symbolizes the sun, and the back, the moon.

The basic fingering of the right hand is to flip and pick, using the thumb and index finger. Flipping is external and forceful, for strong beats, and the clear, bright sound means yang. Picking is introverted and weak, for weak beats, and the soft, harmonious sound means yin.

The five fingers of the left hand are used together, for spring, summer, autumn, winter and long summer — the five seasons of the ancients.

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Playing the three strings means that yin and yang are harmonious and complementary. Understanding the three talents, the sun and the moon reflect and shine. The years have glory and wither, and a song has a beginning and an end, just like the five seasons and 24 solar terms of a year.