Melong

In Tibetan Buddhism, a bright, pristine circular mirror, or mé long, symbolizes consciousness and reflective awareness. Why? Because a mirror remains neutral, unbiased, and unaffected as it reflects the appearances of all phenomena. Pure awareness remains, likewise, lucid and untarnished by the arising and dissolving waves of thought. As a reminder of this, Buddhist practitioners often adorn their personal shrine with a decorative Tibetan-style mirror composed of a metal alloy, and embellished with groups of three circles in the four cardinal directions. The 12 circles may symbolize the 12 astrological animals, the continents and sub-continents surrounding Mt. Meru, or the Buddha Families in the four directions. Such mirrors may also be utilized in the practice of divination.