Antique Chinese bronze shamanic mirror Guanyin 118 millimeter

The use of metal mirrors as an indispensable attribute for people dealing with the worlds of the spirits on a regular base, such as professional shamans and priests, is already known for more than 6000 years. As such they have been found in excavations all over (especially) the Eurasian continent. From Tibet, Siberia, Nepal to China.

In different regions, the shamanic mirror is known with different names, such as kuzungu, toli, panaptu, melong, darpana or chinza. But regardless of the name, the mirror is attributed the same sacred functions in all these regions. Such as; protection against malignant forces, amplifying the power of the heart from the one wearing it, being a guide and protector in other worlds, being a spirit container and assisting in oraclework and scrying. 

The shamanic mirror is one of the most important attributes in the tradition of Spirit of Wolf and is worn during all kinds of rituals and healing work. 

A shamanic mirror can be made in different shapes and patterns, and be decorated with all kinds of motives and symbolism. The frontside is often very shiny and should be regularly polished to be able to reflect all negative influences away. 

Shamanic mirrors can be made from different kinds of metal. The diverse metals are attributed certain correspondences such as: 
- Brass or bronze, connected to the Sun
- Silver, connected to the Moon
- Copper, connected to Underworld Sun

This Chinese shamanic mirror has a very ancient design. The style, with the central knob on the decorated backside and the Chinese symbolism is amongst the oldest known Chinese shamanic mirrors, dating back almost 4000 years. Mirrors like this are often made with the 'lost wax' bronze casting method. This style of mirror is still highly regarded nowadays.

The beautiful decoration on this mirror shows a depiction of Guanyin, one of the most popular and yet very complex bodhisattva's worshipped in Buddhism. On this mirror she is shown in her aspect of Songzi; the Child-giving Guanyin, a form that became popular and widespread during the Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644). In this aspect she was prayed to for blessing families with healthy children and especially male heirs.

This mirror is made somewhere in the early 1900's. It is made of bronze, which has beautifully aged with a dark green-grey patina over the years. So please take note; while we usually recommend to polish your mirrors regularly to keep them shiny, of course for this one we certainly wouldn't recommend such a thing.

This mirror has a diameter of 11,8 centimeters and weighs 292 grams.

Only one available.