Antique Chinese bronze shamanic mirror Two Phoenixes 120 millimeters

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

These Chinese shamanic mirrors have 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 decoration on this mirror shows a motive that became popular in the Chinese Tang dynasty (618-907 CE); two phoenixes (in the typical 8th century short-tailed depiction) balancing and complementing each other. Mirrors (or other items) with this depiction were especially used as wedding gifts, celebrating the union of the new couple and wishing them a harmonious, happy marriage. The phoenixes both hold twigs in their beak, symbolizing how they will build a new home together and also pomegranates can be seen; symbolizing fertility, prosperity, a blessed future and numerous offspring.

These mirrors are made somewhere in the early 1900's. They are 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 these ones we certainly wouldn't recommend such a thing.

Two mirrors in this style available. They both have a diameter of 12 centimeters and are similar in appearance, but differ a bit in their weight; one is 258 grams, the other one is 293 grams. You can choose your favorite one via the selection-menu.