The earliest chou gong is from A tomb discovered at the guixian site in the guangxi zhuang autonomous region

Of China. It dates from the early western han dynasty ( 206 BC to 24 AD). They were known for their very intense and spiritual

drumming in rituals and tribal meetings.

Traditionally, chao gongs were used to clear the way for important officials and processions, much like A police Siren today. Sometimes the number of strokes on the gong was used to indicate the seniority of the official. In This way, two officials meeting unexpectedly on the road would know before the meeting which of them should Bow down before the other.