What is a conch shell trumpet and what does it mean in Tibetan Buddhism?
The conch shell trumpet, called shankha in Sanskrit, is among the oldest sound instruments in the world. Its history reaches far beyond Tibetan Buddhism. It has been used in Hindu, Buddhist and indigenous traditions across the world, from the coasts of India to the plateaus of Tibet. Everywhere its sound carries the same message: something of significance is beginning or ending.
In Tibetan Buddhism the shankha is one of the eight symbols of good fortune, the ashtamangala. Its sound is understood as a proclamation of the teachings of the Buddha, far-carrying, penetrating and impossible to ignore. In monasteries it is blown to open ceremonies, to call deities and to drive away negative energies. Its sound clears the space and prepares it for practice.
The form of the shankha is given by nature. It is a real sea snail, usually of the species Turbinella pyrum, found in the Indian Ocean. Particularly prized are shankha that spiral clockwise, the so-called dakshinavarti shankha. These are considered very rare and especially auspicious. Most shankha spiral anticlockwise, which is likewise regarded as sacred.
Tibetan artisans finish the natural shell with metal mounts in silver, brass or gold. These mounts are often engraved with mantras, lotus flowers and Tibetan auspicious signs. The mouthpiece is made of metal and allows the instrument to be blown.
To own a shankha is to hold a piece of living history in your hands. At tibet-markets.ch we carry conch shell trumpets in various sizes and finishes, all carefully chosen for the quality of the shell and the work on the metal mounts.
