The morin khuur is a traditional Mongolian bowed string instrument and a symbol of the Mongolian nation. It is instantly recognizable by the carved horse head that adorns the top of its neck. The instrument has only two strings, traditionally made from the hair of a horse's tail—one string made from the hair of a stallion (the 'male' string) and one from a mare (the 'female' string). Unlike the cello or violin, the player does not press the strings against the neck; instead, the notes are produced by touching the strings with the pads of the fingers or the fingernails. Its sound is said to mimic the neighing and galloping of a horse. In 2008, the morin khuur was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its importance to nomadic culture and storytelling.