Lyre

Lyre, musical stringed instrument. In ancient Greece the lyre, with 3 to 12 strings, was a symbol for the God Apollo. The English term lyric comes from the Greek use of the lyre to accompany songs and poems. The strings were plucked either with the fingers or with a pick. They were strung vertically from a sound box to a crossbar held in place by 2 outer vertical arms.