Bell
    In ancient times all over the world,/it was believed that evil spirits could put up with/just about any thing except the clanging of the bell./Over time, the bell itself, even when not ringing,/came to be regard ed as a powerful lucky symbol./Because it is suspended in a hanging position,/it takes on the representation of all life suspended between heaven and earth./Its vault-like shape has become a symbol of heaven./Bells are used in Christian churches as well as Hindu/and Buddhist temples as a means of keeping evils away./The bell tolled at funerals is now explained as a signal to the living/that a soul is passing to the other side/and should be accompanied by prayers./But originally the tolling was intended to prevent/evil forces from interfering with the soul’s heavenward journey./