[originaltext]BellIn ancient times all over the world, it was believed that ev

Bell
In ancient times all over the world, it was believed that evil spirits could put up with just about anything except the clanging of the bell. Over time, the bell itself, even when not ringing, came to be regarded 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. The bell tolled at funerals is now explained as a signal to the living that a soul is passing to the other side. But originally the tolling was intended to prevent evil forces from interfering with the soul’s heavenward journey.