The harp is one of the oldest string instruments, pictured in ancient art and long linked with angels, heaven and classical music. Its glissando became a familiar audio shorthand in cartoons, films and television for dreams, flashbacks and sudden realisations. Online, creators reuse that same cue because viewers recognise it instantly, even in a short clip. The long, rising sweep signals a shift in time or mood without needing words, which is why it remains popular for edits, memes and storytelling transitions.