Fish drum

The membranophone fish drum is the symbol of Elder Zhang Guo, one of the Eight Immortals.

This drum is a long and slender piece of bamboo with a dried fish skin stretched over one end.

This type of fish drum is used to accompany performers of changben or Chinese narrative ballads.

It is a small piece of wood carved into the shape of a fish, with a slit along the length of the body.

A much larger version, with much more ornate decoration, symbolizing a mythical fish, whose sounds is supposed to attract divinity, is used in Taoist and Confucian ceremonies.

The Elder Zhang Guo holding a fish drum
Wooden fish