Description
A rattle is a musical instrument made of wood or plastic. The instrument consists of a handle to which a toothed wheel is attached. Attached to this is a second element with a flexible section. This second element can be swung, with the flexible section moving along the teeth of the first element with a clearly audible click. Rapid rotation produces many clicks in succession, creating a rattling sound. Uses: In the past, the rattle was primarily used to attract attention, for example, by town criers and as a warning device by the police and the military. In the Middle Ages, lepers were required to carry a rattle and use it whenever they came near other people. This was not so much due to the risk of infection, but rather to the grave sin such a person was believed to have committed. Contact with such a deeply fallen person was best avoided. The instrument was also called a clickspaan (clickspaan). Today, the instrument is used as a percussion instrument in orchestras. For example, in the piece "Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche" (Till Eulenspiegel's lusty Streiche). The rattle is also a valued instrument at other events requiring a lot of noise, such as sporting events. Purim: In Jewish tradition, the rattle is used during Purim. During this festival, the Book of Esther is read in the synagogue. When the name of the villain Haman is mentioned during the reading, as much noise as possible is made. This is primarily done with rattles.
