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The pigeon whistle: A defining sound of old Beijing (2019)

IF you have ever watched a movie that featured old Beijing, there is a good possibility that it contained a scene with a flock of pigeons flying over quadrangular dwellings (siheyuan), giving off a uniquely harmonic buzzing sound as they flew by. That sound is what local residents remember when they think of old Beijing. As one saying about Beijing puts it, in Beijing you can find “fermented soybean drink, deep-fried dough sticks, the Bell and Drum towers, blue skies, white clouds, and pigeon whistles.” Every city has unique sights and sounds that define it, and the “sound of old Beijing” is the pigeon whistle.

IF you have ever watched a movie that featured old Beijing, there is a good possibility that it contained a scene with a flock of pigeons flying over quadrangular dwellings (siheyuan), giving off a uniquely harmonic buzzing sound as they flew by. Even though Beijing pigeon whistles were popular because the material was inexpensive and most people regarded the craft as a pastime for personal enjoyment, the famous craftsmen did not take on apprentices to pass on their skill. Whistles with the “Wen” character are characterized by a round upper part, have smooth lines, can reduce air resistance, and are light and easy to carry for the pigeons when they fly.

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