Nepalese red copper melong Double Dorje 45 millimeters

Very nice, recently made, red copper mirror from Nepal with a diameter of 45 millimeters (measured without the eyelet) and a weight of 16 grams. In Nepal, mirrors such as these are called 'melong'. They are traditionally often worn on the belt, instead of around the neck.

Design characteristics:

This melong is decorated with the Double Dorje symbol. The double dorje or crossed dorje (or in Sanskrit; visvavajra) is a symbol very common in Buddhism and Hinduism. It shows dorje-heads going into all four cardinal directions from the central hub, which  symbolizes the principle of absolute stability, of finding solid ground in the middle of the universe. 

It is said that a vast crossed dorje underlies Mount Meru, the esoteric mountain in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology that is considered to be the center and axis of all worlds, both inside ourselves and outside, and both the physical and non-physical worlds. Thus the double dorje supports the entire universe and also symbolizes a perfect balance between spirit and matter, heaven and earth, wisdom and compassion (the divine feminine and divine masculine).

Being a symbol of indestructability, a double dorje is often depicted as the central hub of intricate mandala representations, such as in thangka’s, where it forms the immoveable support or foundation of the mandala palace. Also the symbol is often found on for example depictions and statues of  buddhist deities, ritual attributes, amulets, furniture and fabrics

Please note; this melong is made of red copper. In Tibetan buddhist tradition, the dynamics associated with this metal are different than in our traditional shamanic worldview (where the red copper is associated with the Underworld Sun and thus mostly used by black shamans). In Tibetan spirituality, the red copper is seen as a very auspicious metal. So it very much depends on the tradition you're working in and the work you are planning to do with it, which metal will be suitable for your personal mirror.

Read more about the origin, design and usage of (shamanic) mirrors in the general description of our webshop collection "Mirrors and Melongs".