The bell is a symbol of survival and predictability. It is an expensive privilege to be the group to ring the bell. It's a box of chocolates, they don't know if the day will soar or crash at closing.

History of the NYSE bell
Early Days: The initial method for signaling the start and end of trading at the NYSE was a gavel.
Transition to gong: In the late 1800s, the gavel was replaced with a gong.
Iconic brass bell: In 1903, the NYSE moved to its current location and installed an electrically operated brass bell that has become the iconic symbol we know today.
Modern era: While the physical bell is still present, the act of "ringing" the bell is now typically initiated by pressing a large button on the podium.
Even with the rise of electronic trading, the tradition of ringing the NYSE bell persists and holds significant symbolic value for both the financial world and the broader public.