Formed over the centuries, the relationship between the mirror and the person resulted in signs and superstitions, characterizing their special relationship.
- In ancient Egypt, the mirror was endowed with magical power, it was the subject of rituals and fortune-telling.
- Slavic mythology considers a mirror a giftservant of the master of darkness, so that a person does not feel alone. Perhaps, and so are the signs of the people - to break the mirror - then offend the host, wait for punishment.
- In Germany, infants were washed in front of a mirror so that they would start talking faster.
- In Russia, on the contrary, it was considered unacceptable to bring infants to the mirrors, so as not to frighten the baby.
- The Chinese believe that a mirror can treat and cope with illnesses. But they also have a badge to break a mirror is a bad omen.
- The Japanese revered mirrors, placing them on a par withsuch treasures as the sword, the throne and the three Pearls (knowledge, courage and mercy). If the Japanese dreamed of giving birth to twins, then during pregnancy before going to bed she looked in the mirror.
- In Syria, so that the head does not hurt, they look at their reflection in the mirror after they leave the bath.
- With the aid of a mirror, the Hindus drove away the evil spirits, for this purpose the clothes were decorated with small fragments of mirrors, necessarily carefully polished.
- In English folklore there is a traditionsit in front of a mirror on the day of Saint Agnes, in order to see his fiance in the mystical time of the midnight hour. In Russia there is also such an action in the holy fortune telling, and at the same time of the year - on January 21. Of course, a sign to break a mirror in such a mystical time could only be accompanied by the expectation of unhappiness.
The mention of Chinese magic mirrors,made in complex technology in the 11th century with hieroglyphs written in such an ancient language that it was not possible to read them, is found in 1086. Archaeologists of different countries of the world store in their museums bronze Etruscan mirrors, they are in Russia. According to historians, the sign to break a mirror is associated with frequent wars, accompanied by the beating of glass and mirrors.
In Russia, bronze mirrors, similar in technologymanufacturing with Etruscan, did the master from Pechora. In addition to the inscriptions, they contained an image of the ancient goddess Mary, the angel of death, accompanying the souls of the deceased people to paradise. Mirrors have long been regarded as guides to the other world. It is possible, therefore, with mirrors produce different actions in the event of a person's death.
The signs, their action and reaction
In Russia, as in many countries of the world,traditionally during the funeral they close the mirrors with a cloth, explaining this action by the possibility that the person's soul can get lost and "get stuck" in the mirror, not giving to those who live in the rest house. That's why it is not recommended to buy old mirrors, they can live "lost" souls. They say that before such mirrors the candles go out, how many do not light them.
The oldest sign is to break the mirrorremained in Russia as the forerunner of troubles, troubles and misfortunes. Many are looking for an "antidote" against the omens, throwing salt over their shoulders, spinning counter-clockwise and spitting in all directions. Recommend, without touching the shards with your bare hands, collect everything and throw it away or bury it. The broken mirror in no way for all the signs, and even for common sense, is not suitable for use. If the mirror is cracked, the sign says that the family will experience trouble or unhappiness.
Another sign that came from the old days - if you go somewhere and go back, there will be no "way", so that this does not happen, you need to look in the mirror.
In the room where the sick person is lying, there is no need to hang mirrors, it is believed that the patient's soul is weakened and vulnerable, he should not see his reflection.
Mirrors do not always promise failures and foreshadowloss: if they are many in the house, they bring good luck. Hanging in front of the entrance door, a large mirror will take away all evil intentions from the enemies entering into the house. If there is a mirror hanging in the living room or in the kitchen next to the table, it attracts luck and prosperity.
