Folk omens
Broken mirror: what does it mean?
breaking a mirror seven years · broken mirror superstition
- mirror
- broken
- seven years
- superstition
In folk belief a broken mirror brings bad luck, some say for seven years. There are also ways people say you can undo it.
Why is a broken mirror a bad sign?
Mirrors have long been linked to a person's reflection and soul, so breaking one was seen as damaging the reflection. One version says the seven years come from an old belief that life renews itself every seven years.
What do people do to cancel the bad luck?
A common tip is not to look into the shards and to gather them carefully. Some wrap the pieces in cloth before throwing them away.
- Do not look into the shards
- Gather them carefully, with gloves
- Throw them away wrapped up
What should you really do?
The most real danger of a broken mirror is cutting your hand. So the best ritual is to pick up the pieces carefully and buy a lovely new mirror.