Cleveland Museum of Art

Octafoil Mirror with Two Immortals Crossing the Ocean

Date

mid-900s–late 1200s

Medium

bronze

Culture

China, Song dynasty (960-1279)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This mirror in the shape of a flower represents two immortals crossing the ocean, surrounded by surging waves. The younger figure on the left wears two buns on his head; the elder one with a long beard is carrying a musical instrument, sheng . The scene may illustrate “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Ocean,” in which their supernatural power to walk on water is depicted. The two men here stand on their swords to travel on water. In Daoist and Buddhist thinking, swords are considered powerful, magical implements to exorcise demons and destroy evil spirits.

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