Mirror with Animals of the Four Directions

Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD)

In ancient China, mirrors were flat and highly polished on one side (so people could see their reflections), and decorated on the other. The back of this mirror shows the legendary "Guardians of the Four Directions." The north is guarded by a tortoise, the east by a dragon, the south by a phoenix, and the west by a tiger, providing protection in all directions.

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