nao

The term "nao" can refer to two distinct subjects. One is a medium-sized sailing ship from the late Middle Ages, originating from Spanish and Catalan languages, with Latin roots meaning "ship".1

The other "nao" is a type of ancient Chinese clapperless bronze bell, primarily produced during the late Zhou dynasty (c. 600–255 BC) and used as a percussion instrument. These bells were initially made of clay in Neolithic times and later crafted in bronze during the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1066 BC). Early naos were held by hand or struck with a mallet while placed mouth upward. They differ from suspended bells, which are categorized as yongzhong (with a handle) or niuzhong (with a ring for vertical suspension). Sets of naos, known as bianzhong, were arranged by size and pitch on wooden frames and struck with mallets.2