Musical instruments can serve as national symbols. Both the sound and visual representation of these instruments carry meaning to citizens of the country. Well-known examples are the bagpipes of Scotland and the Irish harp. However, another important example is the saùng-gauk (harp), the national symbol of Myanmar (formerly Burma).
The instrument probably came from India or Sri Lanka around the beginning of the seventh century. Depictions from later that century show the instrument in use. The use of the saùng-gauk may be one of the oldest traditional harp traditions anywhere in the world.
Until the 19th century ,the saùng-gauk was a court instrument used in chamber music and revered as the most important of all instruments. It is now popular with citizens of all levels of Myanmar society, though still used in intimate settings.
The harp was even played when Aung San Suu Kyi accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 (the prize was actually for 1991, but she had been under house arrest and only made her speech in 2012). Nei Wah, a prominent player, performed Kyi’s favorite musical piece on the saùng-gauk for the occasion.
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The saùng-gauk is also on the national currency. It appears on the 50 pyas denomination, and previously on the 100 kyat note. A 1998 postage stamp from Myanmar also depicts a colorful red and black saùng-gauk on a field of green. In 1954, the country (then known as Burma), showed a young woman playing the instrument.
the national symbol of Myanmar
on the 50 pyas paper currency
