The harp is a stringed musical instrument with strings running at an angle to its soundboard that are plucked with the fingers. Harps have been known since at least 3500 BCE in Asia, Africa, and Europe, gaining popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The earliest harps were found in Sumer in 3500 BCE and several were discovered in burial pits and royal tombs in Ur. Harps are essentially triangular in shape and made of wood, with strings traditionally made of gut or metal. The harp has been used as a political symbol of Ireland for centuries since at least the 6th century.

2. DEFINITION:
The harp is a stringed musical instrument
which has a number of individual strings
running at an angle to its soundboard, which
are plucked with the fingers.

3. Harps have been known since antiquity in Asia,
Africa, and Europe, dating back at least as early
as 3500 BCE. The instrument had great
popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages
and Renaissance.
known since
3500 BCE

4. ORIGIN:
The earliest harps and lyres were found in
Sumer, 3500 BCE, and several harps were
found in burial pits and royal tombs
in Ur. The harp was popular in ancient
China and neighboring regions.

5. STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM:
Harps are essentially triangular in shape,
and are made primarily of wood. Harp
strings are made of gut (often replaced in
the modern day by nylon) or metal.

7. AS A SYMBOL…
The harp has been used as a political symbol of
Ireland for centuries. Its origin is unknown but it
has been present in one form or another since at
least the 6th century or before.