The War Drum (战鼓 zhàn gǔ) was a large percussion instrument used to coordinate troop movements and boost morale on the battlefield. The beat of the war drum signalled advances, retreats, and formation changes. At the Battle of Red Cliffs, war drums played a crucial role in the coordinated fire attack.
Historical context
Artifacts and ceremonial objects carried deep symbolic meaning during the Three Kingdoms period. They represented continuity of Han culture, legitimate authority, and the refined tastes of the aristocracy even amid constant warfare.
References
- Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志)
- Luo Guanzhong, Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义)