yueqin (Stringed Musical Instrument)

In Cantonese opera, melodic instruments include the erxian (two-stringed fiddle), and the hudieqin or yangqin (butterfly zither) serve as the lead instruments. Other melodic instruments include the zhutiqin (bamboo fiddle), yueqin (moon lute), yehu (coconut lute), or sanxian (three-stringed lute) and wind instruments, such as the dizi (transverse flute) and xiao (end-blown flute). They are played together to accompany the singing on stage.

Cantonese opera instrument. A round, moon-shaped lute type instrument, called a yueqin, with a short fretted neck, four strings, a curved headstock and a hollow body. A dragon-like head is carved atop the headstock. Two long, lobed tuning keys protrude from each side of the headstock. The back, sides, neck and headstock are painted black.