Ruan[ruǎn] is a traditional Chinese musical instrument, short for Ruan Xian. According to legend, Ruan Xian was good at playing this instrument in the Western Jin Dynasty, hence the name. There are four strings and columns, shaped like a moon qin. Beginning in the Tang Dynasty, it was widely circulated among the people in the Yuan Dynasty and became a favorite plucked instrument with a broad range and rich expressiveness. Among the Chinese orchestras developed in modern China, the Ruan and Xian musical instruments include Zhongruan and Daruan. As a midrange voice in a plucked instrument. Among the Chinese orchestras developed in modern China, the Ruan and Xian musical instruments include Zhongruan and Daruan. As a midrange voice in a plucked instrument.