Mirror from Luoyang

-206

220

1.2cm

15.8cm

HKU.B.1954.0151

This mirror has two sides, a polished side and a reverse side with a knob and decoration. This is the typical design for early mirrors in China, which has no handle. To solve the problem that the polished side is easy to become clouded by moisture when handed, a knob with a hole is attached to the reverse. People can use a cord to loop through the hole in the knob to hold the mirror to avoid touching the polished surface. In addition, these knobs have not only practical functions but also have spiritual meanings. Inscriptions on other mirrors from the same period indicate that the knotted cord on the knob holds symbolic significance for the family unit's perpetuation.

Apart from the knob, animal figures and inscriptions are also found on the reverse side. Animals used for decorations on mirrors commonly include taotie, dragon, phoenix and the four divine beasts. These animal figures are abstracted from real animals or purely imagined ones representing ancient Chinese people's spiritual beliefs. In order to understand the decorative designs, inscriptions can be the clues. This is because, apart from indicating the making and the ownership of the mirror, the inscriptions also serve to summarize the decoration figures