It is hard to find a person who has not heard of the bad omen of breaking a mirror. But few have seriously explored the origins of this belief and what to do with the shards to neutralize the negative.
Even people who are far from superstitions often feel anxiety at such a moment. In esotericism, a mirror is considered a special object capable of accumulating the energy of a person and the surrounding space, so its damage is perceived as a sign that requires attention.
Origins of the Broken Mirror Superstition
Folk superstitions did not arise by chance. In Medieval Europe, mirrors were luxury items — especially those made by Italian craftsmen, which were created using precious metals. Their cost was so high that a broken mirror became a real financial disaster for its owner.
Among the ancient Slavs, a mirror was considered a mystical object, a symbol of the boundary between worlds. It was used in rituals and divinations, and the destruction of the mirror's surface was perceived as a violation of the delicate balance between reality and the otherworldly.
What a Broken Mirror Promises
From an esoteric perspective, mirrors absorb energy — both positive and negative. That is why it is not recommended to use old, cracked, or someone else's mirrors.
Among the common superstitions: – a broken mirror promises a period of misfortune lasting up to seven years; – seeing one's reflection in the shards indicates illness; – many small shards are associated with serious losses; – if a lonely girl breaks a mirror — she will have a hard time getting married; – a crack in the mirror is a sign of disappointment in a loved one; – breaking someone else's mirror leads to a serious conflict.
The size of the object also matters: a small mirror often predicts quarrels and minor troubles, while a large mirror indicates more serious life difficulties.
Reasons Why a Mirror May Break
Esotericists identify several possible reasons: – the mirror has accumulated too much negative energy and "took the hit" for itself; – there is an energetic imbalance or negative influence in the house; – the damage serves as a warning to be more attentive to what is happening around.
Regardless of the reason, it is believed that the consequences can be mitigated if one acts correctly.
What to Do If a Mirror Breaks
The first and foremost thing is not to panic.
It is considered important to follow these rules: – do not touch the shards with bare hands; – do not look into the broken or cracked mirror; – cover the shards with a dark cloth; – collect all fragments completely, including the frame and fittings.
Large pieces are recommended to be rinsed under running water, while small ones should be carefully gathered in a thick bag, with the mirror side facing inwards. The shards should be taken out of the house immediately.
After that, it is advisable to wash the floor in the room where the mirror was located and to cleanse the space — for example, using a lit candle. It is believed that fire helps neutralize residual negativity. This should preferably be done on the same day.
The final step is to replace the old mirror with a new one, preferably hanging it in the same place.
