(Latin: harpa)
A musical instrument, roughly triangular in form, whose strings of various lengths are plucked by the fingers in order to produce sound. Drawings of the harp appear on early Egyptian, Assyrian, Hebrew, and Celtic monuments; it is mentioned in the Bible, e.g., Genesis 4; 2Paralipomenon, 9; Psalms 70; Apocalypse 5; and was used by the minstrels of the Middle Ages. The modern pedal harp was perfected by Sebastian Erard, 1810. As an emblem in art it is associated with Saint Cecilia as a musician and patroness of music, and of Saint Patrick due to his association with Ireland.