I saw mention of the Magic Mirror from Snow White and started thinking of other ways this common object shows up in stories. It’s amazing how much symbolism and usage is behind a piece of glass. Not only recently, but throughout history. So, what are some ways mirrors are used?
- A big one throughout various cultures is that a mirror can either steal part of or all of a person’s soul. This belief is probably what led to cameras being subjected to the same superstition. It is also why some cultures cover mirrors after a loved one dies because they think that the departing soul can get sucked into the mirror instead of going to heaven.
- Breaking a mirror can lead to bad luck for 7 years. This one comes from ancient Rome and is connected to the first entry. Since a mirror can take parts of the soul, breaking it would cause damage. It would take 7 years for the soul to heal, which is why that is the timeframe of bad luck.
- Feng Shui has mirrors as a tool to redirect and control energy. Specifically, they can reflect and eliminate negative energy. It all depends on where you place it. The location was usually across from the door to the home or room. Guess it’s to bounce the energy outside of the house.
- Fiction uses mirrors to display the true nature of people or things as well. It can even show what a person desires . . . Beat you to it, Potterheads. An earlier version of this type of mirror comes from China and was owned by Emperor Zhao. He used his mirror to show who was faithful and who was not. Those who were got rewards and those he couldn’t trust were punished.
- Similar to #4, Tezcatlipoca from Aztec mythology had an obsidian mirror. He used to see the truth of those around him.
- Not only showing us true natures and messing with spirits, mirrors have also been shown as portals. They typically only let spirits through, but mortals can use them for either communication or travel. It could also be to either another dimension or a different mirror on Earth. For example, Alice going through the Looking Glass.
- Greek mythology had an interesting dual purpose. For Narcissus, the mirror was a symbol of vanity. Yet, it could also be a tool of truth such as for the Oracle at Delphi.
- Mirrors get connected to monsters as well. You have vampires lacking a reflection, which could be connected to the association with showing souls. Then, you have Bloody Mary who will come out of a mirror if you say her name three times. I think The Candyman from horror films had this as well.
- China really seems to have a lot of mirror tales. One that I found talked about the Mirror Kingdom where creatures are sleeping until its time to invade our world. Any strange movements and objects we see at the corners of mirrors are signs that these creatures are starting to wake up.
- Finally, you have Catoptromancy. This is divination through the use of a mirror.
Legends of Windemere 
Wow. So many uses for a mirror. In the book/TV miniseries, The 10th Kingdom, mirrors were used as transportation. The wicked witch traveled from one place to another through a mirror. I like the idea of a mirror as transportation.
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I remember that miniseries. Really good one. Mirror transport is common.
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I really liked it too–and the book. I might try to use that form of transportation in a story.
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After I watched the movie “Prince Of Darkness” in the late 80s, I was careful around mirrors, lol. For some reason the mirror scene in that movie really freaked me out at the time.
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Never saw it, but I’ve heard it was creepy.
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This was an informative discussion of mirrors, Charles. Got a chuckle out of the “Beat you to it, Potterheads.”
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Thanks. 😊
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😊
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Very cool stuff. I have a scene with a mirror in a future tale. Mine will only reveal that something weird is happening around my main characters.
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Scrying mirrors are another common fantasy item.
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I should do more research into this. Could provide something fun in the future.
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Yes. Scrying through mirrors is fairly common. I use that in my Wolves of Vimar series.
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Bloody Mary sounds chilling.
I wrote a poem where I saw my long-dead mother in a mirror. Turned out it was me getting old.
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She’s always been a popular folklore horror since I was a kid.
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This is really interesting. That the reflection was thought to have such power.
It also made me think of the Star Trek “mirror universe” where everyone was opposite of the real world.
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I vaguely remember that episode, but it works. I wonder if this mirror concept stemmed from ancient people seeing their reflection in water. Might not have fully understood it and create legends.
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