The subject of this article is the analysis of the translation reception S. Mallarmé's poem "Apparition" (1863). Based on Mallarmé's theory of poetry and symbol, the author examines the role of metaphorical transference in the creation of symbols. The research objectives include a comparative analysis of the translations of Bryusov and Talov. The main attention is paid to the analysis of translation strategies, the adequacy of the transmission of meaning and the emotional coloring of the original, which will allow to conclude about such an approach to the translation of Mallarmé's works, which helps to most fully recreate the author's intention. In the course of the study, a biographical method was used to establish a connection between the biography of the poet and the features of the literary work created by him. Linguistic analysis allowed to analyze the linguistic and artistic features of the original and translations of the work. Comparative method allowed us to draw a conclusion about the techniques necessary for the translator to recreate the poetics of the original. The scientific novelty of the study consists in the insufficient study of the problem. In addition, the poem "Apparition" had not previously become the object of close attention of Russian researchers, despite the high aesthetic qualities of the work and the existing translation multiplicity. As a result of the research, the peculiarities of perception and transmission of metaphorical images of light in the translations of V. Bryusov and M. Talov into Russian were revealed. The main conclusion of the study of the translation reception of Mallarmé's lyrics by Russian poets will be that when translating, it is necessary not only to recreate the poetic plot, but most of all to strive to convey the mood and impressions created in the original text.