Exploring the Origins and Intertwining of Music on the Silk Road

This paper takes the music exchange on the Silk Road as the research object, and systematically explores the origin of music, its propagation paths and its integration mechanism in the multicultural context. The study shows that since Zhang Qian's passage to the West, the Silk Road has not only been a trade route, but also a link for the spread of music and culture. Through the multiple paths of commerce and travel, religion, military and political affairs, court system, and migration of ethnic groups, the music elements of India, Persia, and the Central Plains have been blended in pivotal zones like Guzi and Dunhuang, forming a music system that combines both regional characteristics and crosscultural commonality. As confirmed by archaeological artifacts, documentary records, cave murals, musical instruments and music theories that evolved during the spread of the music, and were eventually integrated into the Tang Dynasty's institutional achievements like the Tang Dynasty's Ten Sections of Music and other institutional achievements. The study further suggests that the experience of ancient Silk Road music exchanges can provide inspiration for contemporary crosscultural initiatives, including the construction of digital music collaboration platforms, the development of crosscultural education programs, and the innovation of music economic models and cultural diplomacy strategies, thus promoting civilization mutual understanding and sustainable development.