---
title: Pan Flute
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Panpipes/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Pan Flute

_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_

The [pan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pan/) flute or panpipes (*syrinx*) was a musical wind instrument first used by the ancient Greeks. Most commonly played by shepherds, the earliest use was in the Cycladic islands in the third millennium BCE, and representations of the instrument run right through the history of [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) art.

Although in some accounts the invention of the instrument was attributed to [Cybele](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cybele/) or [Hermes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hermes/), the deity most closely associated with the panpipes and widely credited with its invention was the pastoral [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) Pan. In [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/), Pan, the patron of shepherds, fell in love with the [Nymph](https://www.worldhistory.org/nymph/) Syrinx, daughter of Ladon the river-god. Fleeing his attentions, Syrinx pleaded with [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/) to save her and just when Pan captured her, Zeus turned the Nymph into reeds. Enraged, Pan smashed the reeds into pieces but on reflection he was struck with remorse and wept and kissed the broken reeds, all that remained of his beloved. As he kissed the reeds, he discovered that his breath could create sounds from them, and so he made the musical instrument that would carry the lost Nymph's name.

Panpipes were constructed from four to eighteen cane tubes (without any lateral holes) which were fastened together using cane, flax, or wax. Played by holding the instrument in both hands and blowing across the top end of each tube, different notes were produced with different lengths of tubes or by equal length tubes blocked at different points by wax. The sound produced was deep and rich.

The instrument is depicted both in [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/), such as small marble Cycladic statues and clay figurines, and also on decorated ceramics, particularly red- and [black-figure pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/Black_Figure_Pottery/) from Attica. Representations of Pan, Hermes, Attis, Satyrs, and more rarely [Eros](https://www.worldhistory.org/Eros/) (only in late Antiquity, 2-3rd century CE) often depict them playing the instrument.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- Andrikou, E. (et al). *Gifts from the Muses.* Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Athens, 2004
- Carabatea, M. *Greek Mythology.* Peania, Pergamos, 2007
- [Kotsanas, K. *THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS.* Kostas Kotsanas, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/960931614X/)

## About the Author

Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.

## External Links

- [History at Pan-Flute.Com](http://panflute.net/history/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Cartwright, M. (2012, June 17). Pan Flute. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/Panpipes/>
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Pan Flute." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 17, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/Panpipes/>.
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Pan Flute." *World History Encyclopedia*, 17 Jun 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/Panpipes/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 17 June 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.