Zong-zhou Zhong

The lower part of the bell, known as the "ku" where the bell was struck, is decorated with an animal mask design, and the chuan is decorated with two-headed creatures. The central section, or wu, has a curvilinear pattern, and the horizontal sections running on either side are decorated with the k'uei dragon motif. The inscription records how King Li of the Western Zhou led a successful military expedition south to subdue the southern states, and ordered the 26 states of the Nanyi and Dongyi, often translated as the Southern and Eastern Barbarians, to pay tribute to the Zhou throne. The scale of his success led the king to have this bell cast in order to record his victory, and to bring glory to Shang-ti, the gods, and the spirits of past Zhou kings, asking for their blessings and protection.