The flute is often shown as being played by gods and can symbolise a god's voice: the Ancient Egyptians believed the voice of Isis, the gods' mother, was audible in the notes of the flute. ... Krishna’s flute is the symbol of freedom or pranava. He has preached prema, love, through his flute. A further aspect of the flute's symbolism is its portrayal of nature and rural life. It was believed that it was the gods themselves who gave the flute to mankind as a gift.