Singing bowls produce deep and rich vibrating sounds when gently hit with a mallet. The sounds have amazing spiritual and healing properties, making them a great therapeutic tool.
According to various practitioners, singing bowls can cure numerous illnesses and promote mental stability. The sounds come in a range of low to high octaves.
This blog illustrates the seven types of singing bowls that can improve your physical and spiritual wellness.
Thadobati
These singing bowls have straight sides, flat bottoms, and high walls. Thadobati bowls emerged in the 15th century and are considered the most unique out of the other types used for singing bowl healing in Singapore.
Thadobati singing bowls come in a variety of different decorative markings, including etch and punch marks. The most common ones have a base that is slightly smaller than the top. They can be as wide as nine inches and as deep as five inches.
Thadobati bowls produce four octaves. Thinner, larger bowls can hit the third octave while thicker, smaller bowls can go up to the sixth octave.
Jambati
They have inward-facing lips, flat bottoms, and curved walls. Jambati bowls have appealing hammer marks, a circular marking at the base and classical etching lines on the outside rim.
When hit with the mallet, Jambati bowls produce sounds that tend to hit the second or third octave. They are the heaviest types of singing bowls, requiring up to four craftsmen. Users should place a cushion or mat underneath the Jambati singing bowl when applying it in singing bowl therapy. Fun fact: these bowls can store grain and keep them in good condition.
Ultabati
These heavy and large singing bowls measure up to seven inches and are used in singing bowl healing in Singapore. Ultabati bowls tend to produce sounds that hit the two lowest octaves, similar to the “Om” sound normally used in Buddhism practice. The sounds produce strong vibrations that can create mini fountains when they are filled with water.
Ultabati bowls have curves under the rim. Similar to Jambati bowls, they have prominent etching lines and hammer marks. They are usually dark on the outside but bright on the inside.
Pedestal or Naga
Naga bowls are also used for singing bowl therapy in Singapore. They have a chalice-like appearance and produce sounds that range from the third to sixth octave.
They tend to have round and thin walls and are generally smaller in size, varying between four and ten inches. Antique bowls have a sacred or ceremonial purpose. Some specialists say that they are also used as to make an offering.
Mani
They are wider in the middle and have thick walls, flat bottom, and inward-facing lips. You can get them in small to medium sizes. Moreover, they are also referred to as Mudra singing bowls.
Ancient Mani bowls were crafted between the late 16th and 19th centuries. They were generally used as wedding gifts or for ritual and ceremonial purposes. Although they are heavy and large, they produce a very high tone, hitting the fifth or sixth octave.
Lingam
Lingam bowls are generally shallow with a protruded centre. They have a flat bottom and come in a navel-like shape. The unique structure makes it difficult to play. An ancient and genuine Lingam is made with solid metal while newer ones are thinner and tend to have discolouration.
Lingam bowls are linked to the Hindu God Shiva and are used for rituals and medical purposes, as well as for singing bowl therapy in Singapore.
Manipuri
Manipuri singing bowls are small- to medium-sized with splayed rims and hammer marks. They are usually shallow and can produce sounds that range between the lower second to fifth octaves.
These bowls were introduced to Western travellers in the 1970s. Today, they are used as part of singing bowl healing in Singapore.
If you want to know more about how these bowls, Master Jenny conducts singing bowl therapy in Singapore. As a seasoned spiritual healer, she can offer extensive knowledge about and heal you with singing bowls.