西安北郊出土博局镜探析

Exploration and Analysis of the Bo-Ju(博局) Mirrors Unearthed in the North Suburbs of Xi'an

This article is a comparative study on the Bo-Ju (博局) mirrors unearthed in the north suburbs of Xi’an and other areas. According to the design of mirror’s back,these mirrors can be divided into three kinds: the four-supernatural beings Bo-Ju mirror, the four - snake Bo - Ju mirror and the cloud pattern (geometric pattern). By analyzing the structure of the tomb where these mirrors were found and the coexistent burial accessories, the prevalent age of these mirrors has been considered from later period of Western Han dynasty to early period of Eatern Han dynasty. And the "four-snake" design of the four-snake Bo-Ju mirror is obviously developed from the four nipples and coiled serpent design which once prevailed to in later period of Western Han dynasty. Bo-Ju mirror’s design and inscription are in intimate relation to the custom of Han dynasty. So it can be looked as a synthetic outcome of entertainment Bo-Ju, divinatory (■盘), Sundial and Yin-Yang opposites and Five elements thought. Its function should be "warding off evil influences and eliminating calamity".