Bronze Mirror in Sui-Tang Age: Three Kingdoms stand like the three legs of a tripod to Sui dynasty unifying, Chinese history was turbulen and long warring time. War destroyed economy, the handicraft industry lost almost in the north, in the south economy was relatively stable, casting mirror was still developing in middle-lower Yangtze river, it produced many productions, but it was a middle decline time. Sui dynasty was built in 581 AD, 589 AD Chen dynasty was withered away. To be divided the south and the north ended for three hundred years. Tang dynasty passed “Zhen Guan Zhi Zhi”, “Yong Hui Zhi Zhi” and “Kai Yuan Zhi Zhi” to unify nation, feudal politics-economy culture was flourishing. The Silk Road was dredged. The foreign culture look like tide water coming. Tang dynasty changed fast to have extensive knowledge and profound scholarship Tang culture. Bronze mirror of Sui Tang had a style of one’s own in copper quality, formed shape, subject matter. High and low passed Han-Tang culture, east-west mixed together Europe-Asia civilization, it is a main characteristic in mirror culture.
Four spirits twelve symbol animals mirror in Sui dynasty, its figure continued four spirits mirror of eastern Han, the twelve symbol animals were in stead of the twelve Earthly Branches in rule mirror. The twelve symbol animals populared in Sui dynasty from the mirror’s sign.
Lingshan inscription treasure flowers mirror, flower’s figure was dividing treasure flowers, there was foreign sentiment. It entrusted idea to the care of a Buddhism’s design. “Xinyi” inscription four spirits mirror was only Sui mirror.
Sea beast grape mirror, kind many, rule whole, there were four beasts, five beasts, six beasts, double phoenixes, peacock etc grape mirror. Long branches, spreading flower-leaves, enough grapes with lively sea beasts, flying bird bee-butterfly formed a glamour design. Sea beasts grape mirror populared from Tang Gaozong to Wu Zetian time. Sea beasts grape mirror was named many fans mirror. They congealed a mirror of Europe-Asia civilization. Some scholars thought the relationship to broadcast Mu Ni denomination in Tang dynasty.
Double phoenixes join and receive mirror, big goose join and receive with mandarin duck and double phoenixes made a lucky magnificent design. It was national riches people strong in Tang dynasty Kaiyuan time. People sought lucky, long live, circle satisfied. Tang Xuanzong: “more join long live zone, look out feeling people deep.” His birthday was named a thousand years festival, each other delivered bronze mirror between monarch and his subjects, and drank together in Wan E building. The general mood imitated among the people. Bronze mirror populared a time as present. Double phoenixes mirror, double sparrows mirror, double horses mirror, double parrots mirror, double peacocks mirror, double rhinoceroses mirror were fell in love and married mirror in Tang dynasty. Here phoenix inscription Zhenzi flying frost mirror may more see people to marry understanding. Men and women married each other to have a mirror in Tang dynasty. So named phoenix double mirrors.
