（这是我在写的第42篇文章。）
这个神器就是咱们的古琴了.
The Guqin is the artifact.
上古时代指有文字记载之前的历史时代，一般就是指夏朝以前的时代，包括夏、商、西周、东周（春秋战国)，也包括三皇五帝的远古时代。
Ancient Times refers to the historical period before written history, generally refers to the period before the Xia Dynasty, including the Xia Dynasty, Shang Dynasty, Western Zhou Dynasty, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (including Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States period) and the period of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors(the time of Fairy Tales).
古琴的来源，有多种传说，如伏羲造琴、神农造琴、唐荛造琴、黄帝造琴和虞舜造琴。
There are many legends about the origin of the Guqin, for example, that Fu Xi made it, that Shen Nong made it, that Tang Yao made it, that Yellow Emperor made it, and that Yu Shun made it.
不过，我觉得不像是伏羲造的，因为传说说古琴原只有五条弦，后来周朝的文王姬昌和武王姬发各增加了一条。
However, I don't think it was made by Fu Xi, because legend has it that the Guqin originally had only five strings, which were later added with two, one by King Wen , one by King Wu , both are the kings of Zhou Dynasty.
五条弦刚好包含了五音宫商角徽羽，五行齐备。
Five strings just represent the Chinese five notes (Gong, Shang, Jue, Zheng, Yu) , namely do、re、mi、sol、la. And the Chinese Five Notes matches the Chinese Five Elements.
Gong宫 - earth土
Shang 商- metal金
Jue角 - wood木
Zhi徵 - fire火
Yu羽 - water 水
按中国哲学，五行（金木水火土）是宇宙的基本组成元素。
According to Chinese philosophy, the Five Elements are the fundamental components of the universe. They are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
这五种元素代表五种能量，他们互相生克，动态平衡。
The five elements just represent 5 kinds of energy which flow in a cyclical sequence to maintain dynamic balance
所以，五条弦代表平衡，按中国文化，就是完美了。但是，几千年来都用七条弦，说明七条弦更合适。
So, 5 strings mean balance, to Chinese culture, balance means perfect. However, seven strings have been used for thousands of years, which means seven strings are more appropriate.
我是不懂古琴构造原理，也不太懂五行八卦原理，但是我信得过伏羲啊。
I don't know much about the structure of the Guqin or the five elements and eight diagrams, but I trust Fu Xi.
伏羲是我们的人文始祖啊，他创立的八卦能代表一切自然现象，能代表万物，他造个古琴能少两根弦？
Fu Xi is our human ancestor.He is the earliest recorded God in China. He created the theories of Yin-Yang and eight element, both are perfect. Would he create a Gutin which was two strings missing?
不管怎样，伏羲、神农、唐尧、虞舜都是上古圣人，不管古琴是他们当中那个大神造的，都算上古神器。
关于古琴有文字可考的历史有四千多年。
Anyway, , Fu Xi, Shen Nong, Yellow Emperor , Tang Yao, and Yu Shun were all ancient saints, by whoever among them the Guqin was made, it counts as an ancient artifact.
The Guqin has a written history of more than 4,000 years.
2006年5月20日古琴艺术经国务院批准列入第一批国家级非物质文化遗产名录。
2003年11月7日，中国古琴艺术被联合国教科文组织列入第二批“人类口述和非物质遗产代表作”。
On november 7th, 2003, the art of Guqin was proclaimed as one of the “Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.
On the May 20, 2006, Guqin Art was approved by the State Council to be included in the first batch of state-level intangible cultural heritage
它值得世界公认和珍惜。然而，遗憾的是，莫说是外国人，知道古琴的中国人都寥若星辰，连它的样子都未曾认得。
It deserves worldwide recognition and appreciation。However, it is great pity that, not to mention Foreigner, even Chinese know little about it. They even have no idea about what it looks like.
很多外国友人是因为向往中国文化而来到我们国家的，而古琴是中国传统文化璀璨的一颗星，相信当他们认识了古琴也会喜欢这个中国特有的音乐。
Many foreign friends come to our country because they want to know more about Chinese culture. The Guqin is a shining star of Chinese traditional culture. I believe that when they get to know the Guqin, they will also like this unique music of China.
从认识它的样子开始吧。
First, let’s get a feel for what it is look like.
琴长三尺六寸五（120-125CM)，琴宽约六寸（20CM左右），厚约两寸（6CM左右）
The Gutin measures 3 feet, 65 inches ( about120-125cm) long, 6 inches wide (about 20 cm) and 2 inches thick (about 6 cm) .
看下面的示意图，今天就记住古琴各个部分的名字吧。
Look at blow diagrams showing the parts of the Gutin. Can you remember the names of all the parts?
（If you find any errors in my article, please point out to help me correct）