Zhaoyao Mirror

The Demon-Revealing Mirror

A magic mirror that reveals monsters in their true form — a common talisman for warding off evil in homes and travel.

The zhaoyao mirror is the legendary bronze that exposes spirits. The Xijing Zaji describes a Qin palace mirror so clear it showed one's internal organs and revealed a woman's hidden wickedness by her palpitating gall. With Taoism, bronze mirrors gained power to unmask demons, and travelers were advised to carry one into the mountains.