Breaking a mirror is thought to bring seven years of bad luck or foretell death.

Breaking a Mirror: Harbinger of Misfortune

Details

The superstition warns that breaking a mirror leads to seven years of ill fortune, possibly as severe as causing death. People who follow this belief often take care when handling mirrors and sometimes engage in ‘corrective’ rituals when one is accidentally broken. Some common remedies include grinding the pieces into dust or burying the shards under moonlight to nullify the bad luck. In households, particularly in the past, such accidents could generate fear and anxiety, especially among domestic workers or those already affected by superstitious thinking. The number seven is thought to relate to the Roman belief that life renews itself every seven years, thus requiring a full renewal cycle before the curse lifts. Additionally, mirrors were long believed to reflect not just physical appearance but the soul itself—breaking one may symbolically ‘damage’ one’s spirit.

Historical Context

The superstition of mirror-breaking originates in Ancient Rome, where mirrors were expensive and made from polished metal or glass. Romans believed that a mirror reflected not just a person’s image but also their soul. Damaging the mirror was seen as damaging the soul, with repercussions lasting until the soul replenished—a period believed to be seven years. This period was associated with medical thought at the time, which posited that the human body (and by extension, fate) regenerates fully every seven years. Later, during the Middle Ages and through to the Victorian era in Europe, this idea merged with spiritual fears of omens and death, leading to widespread adoption of the belief. The fear particularly took root among the servant class, who could be harshly punished for breaking expensive household items like mirrors.

Modern Relevance

The superstition surrounding broken mirrors remains prevalent, particularly in Western societies. While belief in the fatal consequences has largely faded, many still experience a momentary sense of dread or mutter apologies when a mirror is broken. The superstition has been perpetuated through popular media, children’s lore, and social superstitions, even appearing on social media and in internet folklore. Some people continue to take symbolic steps to reverse the bad luck, including cleaning with salt, spinning three times counterclockwise, or lighting a candle. The original meaning is often diluted in modern settings, reduced more to a cultural curiosity than a strongly held belief, although some spiritual or metaphysical communities continue to take the curse seriously.

Sources

Bennett, G. (1999). Traditions of Belief: Women and the Supernatural.

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