漢四神博 局紋銅鏡|Mirror with game board design and animals of the four directions

Unknown

1st–2nd century · Bronze with black patina · Asian Art

On the back of this mirror, a diagrammatic decoration points to a new cosmology. The square world—aligned with the four cardinal directions and inscribed with the “twelve earthly branches” used to compute the calendar—is surrounded by the circular heavens, in turn ringed by the waves of the cosmic ocean. Animals of the four directions (the green dragon of the east, white tiger of the west, red bird of the south, and entwined black turtle and snake of the north) and other mythical creatures share the heavens with T-, L-, and V-shaped markings. These recall the measuring devices and rulers used by Fu Xi and Nu Wa, who were believed to have created the universe.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st–2nd century

Medium

Bronze with black patina

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1917