The very name gusli is of high symbolic value as it is associated with the Igor’s Tale (11th ct.) as well as with Russian epics. In organology the term designates both:
a wing-zither (krylovidnye or zvonchatye (the sonorous) and a delta zither (gusli shlemovidnye – helm-shaped or – psaltery). Nevertheless, the two instruments are often carelessly treated as one: “In old times the most favorite musical instruments in Russia were the gusli”