Why Does Breaking a Mirror Bring Bad Luck?
Breaking a mirror is widely believed to bring up to seven years of bad luck. The belief's origins range from cultural practices to ancient superstition. While you may or may not believe in such superstitions, understanding the roots and implications is interesting.
The Origin of the Superstition
Mirrors were first crafted by the Romans, but several cultures, including Greek, Chinese, African, and Indian, believed mirrors possessed a special power. These societies thought that mirrors could capture part of a person's soul. They believed that viewing one’s reflection involved gazing into the soul itself. Consequently, a distorted image signified potential dangers to the spirit.
If a mirror broke, it worsened matters for the person's soul. A cracked mirror was thought to trap the soul forever within the mirror's shards. Such anguish extended as the broken mirror was said to represent a lifetime of loss and entrapment.
Reversing Bad Luck from a Broken Mirror
If you fear your soul may be caught in darkness due to a broken mirror, there are rituals to reverse that fate.
- One of the methods involves grinding the pieces of the broken mirror into dust, eliminating reflections altogether.
- Another ritual suggests burying the fragments beneath a tree during a full moon, which is believed to free your soul.
- A different approach is to cleanse bad luck by placing the broken mirror in a stream that flows southward.
How to Avoid Breaking a Bathroom Mirror
Regardless of belief, breaking a mirror can pose dangers to individuals nearby. Therefore, handling mirrors requires caution to prevent accidents. Ensure mirrors are adequately supported on the walls to prevent any tragic incidents.
Handle Mirrors with Care
Mirrors need careful handling and proper wall support. All our bathroom mirrors and cabinets come with installation fixings. These will ensure safety on solid walls, while we recommend Gripits for plasterboard or spring toggles for tiled surfaces. Each product page includes weight specifications. If you are uncertain of wall strength, contact our UK support team for guidance.
Check the Wall for Suitability
Securing wall mirrors safely is fundamental. Ensure the wall and plaster support the mirror's weight adequately. If a mirror risks being bumped frequently, confirm it won't detach from the wall easily.
For more detailed instructions, consult our guide on hanging a bathroom mirror. Each product includes specific guidance on hanging methods, including proper screws and fixings. Remember, plasterboard can't bear as much weight as brick surfaces.
Secure Freestanding Mirrors
Freestanding mirrors require a smooth, spacious surface beneath for stability. If small children may reach for a mirror, using tack or adhesive stickers to secure it in place is wise.
Heavy, large mirrors often come with wall attachments similar to those used with chests of drawers for added security. Always review the user manual available on our website for the recommended fixings.
How to Dispose of a Broken Mirror
If you accidentally break a mirror, follow these steps to clean and dispose of broken glass safely.
- Wear appropriate clothing during cleanup. Hard-soled shoes and gloves will offer protection. Showering your body with long sleeves and trousers helps guard against tiny glass shards.
- For any remaining glass on the mirror, tape over it with wide tape—parcel tape works well. Using gloves, begin picking up larger fragments and placing them in a cardboard box, doing so carefully to avoid further shattering.
- On hard floors, a brush will assist in sweeping smaller fragments into your dustpan for a cardboard box. If glass shattered on carpet, it’s recommended to use a vacuum. Afterward, empty the contents into the cardboard box.
- Once cleanup is complete, conduct a second sweep of the room where the mirror broke to ensure you haven’t missed any small pieces. We suggest that everyone in the household wear shoes for the next few days until you are confident all shards are cleared.
- If you have a glass recycling bin, carefully pour the ceramic into it. Do not dispose of broken glass in your regular waste bin if you lack recycling facilities. Instead, take it to a local recycling center for proper disposal.
Earlier, SSP told why we knock on wood for luck.
