The Beginning

The Miracle Medallion is a beautiful piece of art with a fascinating history. The history can be traced back to the Chinese Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 24 A.D.) where the Chinese referred to it as the, magic mirror. These mirrors came in many forms; some were bronze castings of varying diameters; some with bamboo covered handles others without handles. The front side of the mirror was a smooth burnished reflecting surface, while the back was covered with intricate designs and characters. In a bright light (in the early days it was the sun), the smooth side cast an image on a wall. The image seen is the reflection of the design on the backside of the mirror. Since there seemed to be no relationship between the front and back of the mirror, which is separated by the 1/8" thick casting they were called "magic".

After the Han Dynasty, the mirrors continued to be developed by the Japanese in Kyoto Japan, where they are known as the, "Makyoh" – translation: magic mirror. The city of Kyoto, a city of traditional arts with a long history, cultivated the magic mirror. In Kyoto’s artistic development the mirrors were perfected to their highest state as an art form achieved by Sir Ohtyu Yamamoto, a Japanese artisan of national importance.

Christianity Influences the Magic Mirror Designs

Missionaries brought Christianity into Japan in 1549 and the religion began to influence the Japanese people as well as the artisans. The Japanese artisans began designing the mirrors with Christian symbols. However, many Japanese authorities did not welcome the spread of Christianity and anyone found preaching or practicing Christianity was brutally punished. But secretly Christians kept their worship by wearing magic mirrors. Some of the mirrors they wore had a symbol of the Holy Cross or statues of Christ. Unfortunately many of the mirrors with the Christian symbols, which were originally made in the late 1500’s, have been damaged beyond repair and few of that time exist today. However, Sir Ohryu Yamamoto specially reproduced the "Christian Magic Mirror" which depicts Christ on the Holy Cross with three of his disciples kneeling before Him. A rendition of this special mirror was presented to his Holiness Pope John Paul II in Rome.

We have taken great care to reproduce the Miracle Medallion in the form as it was presented to the Pope. The front side design is different than the mirror presented to the Pope, but the reflection is the same. Throughout history the mirrors were considered magic but we believe they are more of a miracle.

Information gathered from the following:

"A New Look At The Magic Mirror" by Jack Naylor, The JOURNAL, October 1983, p16 –20.

Magic Mirror Exhibition" by the Magic Mirror Association in Boston, August 8 – 19 1994, p5.