A Study On The Mirrors With Beasts Patterns During The Han And Wei Periods Unearthed In Guanzhong Area

The mirror with beast appeared in the Eastern Han Dynasty.This kind of mirrors are very special during the period of 25 AD to 479 AD.A large number of beasts mirrors have been unearthed in the Guanzhong area of Shanxi Province.This article collected 93 pieces of sacred animal mirrors unearthed and collected in the Guanzhong area.This is not only related to the special status of the Guanzhong area in the Han Dynasty,but also inseparable from the development of commercial trade.So that the mythical beast mirror is widely spread in various regions.Through comparison,induction and analysis,this article divides the magical beast mirrors in Guanzhong area into four major categories: multi breasted beast mirrors,encircling beasts mirrors,square shaped beast mirrors,and rearranged beast mirrors.The sacred beast mirror pattern is represented by the dragon,tiger,deer,lion,bird and other sacred beasts and feathered figures.Not only the theme is beautifully decorated,but also the decoration of the mirror edge is emphasized.During the Eastern Han Dynasty,the social environment was calmed down a bit,and the mirrors of gods and beasts were well developed,with various types and complicated patterns.At the same time,the decorative patterns of gods and beasts were also endowed with corresponding connotations by the times.From the perspective of cultural connotation,these decorative patterns expressed Taoism and the universe view of heaven and the specific environment at the time;or were used by the rulers to propagate political thoughts and serve as rumors of public opinion,which legitimized and sanctified the ruling thoughts and methods.From the perspective of decorative techniques,the high-relief expression makes the decorative image more vivid and lifelike,which has extremely high artistic value as a daily necessities.At the same time,the inscription of the Mirror of the Gods and Beasts also reflects the good wishes of people at the time for social stability,peoples prosperity,and prayer for Najib.The theme decoration of the mythical beasts mirror is the reflection of the dominant ideology on the bronze mirror at that time.It also opened up a way for the development of other mirrors such as portrait mirrors,dragon and tiger mirrors and other bronze mirror decorations.It is of great significance in the development history of bronze mirrors.