Old Nepalese melong Si Pa Ho with Aum symbol 42 millimeters

Old brass mirror from Nepal, with a diameter of 42 millimeters (measured without the eyelet) and a weight of 18 grams. In Nepal, mirrors such as these are called 'melong'. They are traditionally often worn on the belt, instead of around the neck. This one has quite some years of age to it already and has gained a nice dark patina over time. So please note; while we usually recommend polishing your mirrors regularly to keep them shiny, for one with such a beautiful aged patina we would certainly not recommend that.

Design characteristics:

On the backside of this mirror, a depiction of the traditional Tibetan astrological system can be seen; the astrological chart of Si Pa Ho, consisting of three schematic images:

1) In the center the mystical square Me Wa Gu can be seen. In the 9 parts the numbers from 1 to 9 are inscribed, the sum of which in each column is 15. This scheme forms in Tibetan-Mongolian astrology a numerological indication of the relationship between a person and deities and spirits. Each digit governs the year, they replace each other in reverse order.

In China this mystical square has been known since 2200 BCE and is called 'Lo Shu' or Nine Halls diagram; it derives from ancient Chinese mathematical and divination traditions, such as the art of Taoist Geomancy. Nowadays it is also widely known as an important emblem in Feng Shui; the 9 parts (also called 'palaces') then represent the 8 directions of the compass plus the central position, with each part having its own energy.

2) In the ring around the square the 8 trigrams ('Ba Gua') of Par Ha Ge can be seen. The trigram symbols come from very ancient origin; they derive from symbols found on ancient Chinese divination bones dating back as long as 11th century BCE. A related version of bone oracle is still used today by Turkic and Mongolian people, and also in the lineage of Spirit of Wolf Shamanism; 'Kazhiki'. 

Doubled trigrams form 64 hexagrams, which form the core of the I Ching, the Book of Changes.

Each trigram is a divinatory grapheme and represents different dynamics, energies, cardinal points, animals, seasons etc. In depictions such as on these mirrors, where the 8 of them together form a circle, it symbolizes heavenly order, a healthy balance and right flow of energy.

3) In the outer ring, divided into sections, the 12 animals of the eastern zodiac can be seen. Just like the circular arrangement of the trigrams, also this motive adds to the idea of heavenly order. But also its presence, when used on shamanic mirrors, symbolizes control over time and space, an important core principle in the practice of shamanism.

On the frontside of the mirror an engraving of the symbol for the (mantra)word "Aum" can be seen, written in Tibetan alphabet. This symbol and its sound, when spoken as an individual seed mantra or as part of a bigger mantra is said to be the all encompassing cosmic vibration of the universe. It represents all times, all awareness of times and the overtaking of time itself. When recited, it activates and energizes all the chakra's.

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