User:Swpb/m/Mirrors in superstition

Mirrors are a subject of superstitious beliefs in many cultures and mystical traditions. Such superstitions likely first arose among ancient humans, who caught their reflections in still water.^[1]{{{1}}}

In many traditions, reflected images of people are taken to contain the soul. This is the source of the superstition that breaking a mirror will lead to bad luck, as the soul will be broken as well.^[1]{{{1}}} The tradition that this bad luck persists for seven years derives from a Roman belief in a seven-year cycle in which life is renewed.^[1]{{{1}}}

The expense of mirrors for much of human history likely also contributed to beliefs in ill effects resulting from their damage.^[1]{{{1}}}

Myths about

In certain traditions, mirrors are covered during periods of mourning following a death. This is said to prevent the soul of the deceased from becoming trapped in a mirror.[1]{{{1}}}

Mirrors are sometimes said to reflect future or alternate worlds, including spirit worlds,^[2] and to possess other magical powers.

See also

• Mirrors in Mesoamerican culture
• Photograph § Myths and beliefs
• Psychomanteum, an space containing a mirror, used to communicate with the dead
• Spectrophobia, a phobia of mirrors
• Toli (shamanism), a ritual mirror
• Melong
• Shinju-kyo
• Chinese magic mirror
• TLV mirror

References