Jump to content

Wikipedia:Main Page history/2014 November 4

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Welcome to Wikipedia,
4,638,809 articles in English

From today's featured article

Bonshō

Bonshō are large bells found in Buddhist temples throughout Japan, used to summon the monks to prayer and to demarcate periods of time. Rather than containing a clapper, bonshō (example at Ryōan-ji pictured) are struck from the outside, using either a hand-held mallet or a beam suspended on ropes. The bells are usually made from bronze, typically augmented and ornamented with bosses, raised bands, and inscriptions. The earliest appearance of these bells in Japan dates to around 600 CE, although the general design is of much earlier Chinese origin. Their penetrating and pervasive tone carries over considerable distances, which led to their use as signals, timekeepers, and alarms. The sound is thought to have supernatural properties; it is believed, for example, that it can be heard in the underworld. Their spiritual significance means that they play an important role in Buddhist ceremonies, particularly the New Year and Bon festivals. Throughout Japanese history a number of these bells have become associated with stories and legends, both fictional, such as the Benkei Bell of Mii-dera, and historical, such as the bell of Hōkō-ji. In modern times, bonshō have become symbols of world peace. (Full article...)

Recently featured: Bivalvia – Roderic Dallas – Doc Adams

Did you know...

From Wikipedia's new and recently improved content:

Tuterei Karewa of the Ngatimaru tribe, North Island, New Zealand. Photograph by James Arthur Iles.

In the news

One World Trade Center

Ongoing: Ebola outbreak Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Recent deaths: Acker Bilk Michael Sata

On this day...

November 4: Day of Ashura (Islam, 2014); Unity Day in Russia

Altare della Patria, Rome

More anniversaries: November 3 November 4 November 5

It is now November 4, 2014 (UTC) – Reload this page

Today's featured picture

A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie

A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie is an oil painting on canvas completed by Albert Bierstadt in 1866 and now held by the Brooklyn Museum. Inspired by sketches of the Southern Rocky Mountains, it depicts Native American hunter/gatherers hunting deer in the foreground, as the Rockies tower above them; some are cast in sun, while others are covered in clouds. Mount Evans, depicted in the painting, was at the time unnamed; Bierstadt christened it Mount Rosalie, for his friend's wife Rosalie Osborne.

Painting: Albert Bierstadt

Other areas of Wikipedia

  • Community portal – Bulletin board, projects, resources and activities covering a wide range of Wikipedia areas.
  • Help desk – Ask questions about using Wikipedia.
  • Local embassy – For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English.
  • Reference desk – Serving as virtual librarians, Wikipedia volunteers tackle your questions on a wide range of subjects.
  • Site news – Announcements, updates, articles and press releases on Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation.
  • Village pump – For discussions about Wikipedia itself, including areas for technical issues and policies.

Wikipedia's sister projects

Wikipedia is hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization that also hosts a range of other projects: