Mirrors: the superstitions surrounding them, the fears they evoke when we look into them, and much more… I want to write an odd yet thrilling piece to inform you about this topic. Let’s delve into the world of mirrors, where we ask, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” and uncover some intriguing facts.
Some Superstitions About Mirrors
There are many superstitions and beliefs about mirrors, with some people holding them to be true. Rather than giving my opinion on these beliefs, I prefer to present them to you and leave it up to you to decide what to believe.
Seven Years of Bad Luck
The belief that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck is the most widespread. According to my research, this superstition dates back to Ancient Rome, where breaking a mirror was seen as a sign of disrespect, possibly because they were so difficult to manufacture. Additionally, there was a belief that life renews itself every seven years, so broken pieces of life would be repaired during that time.
Bloody Mary
In the game “Truth or Dare,” during the dare section, it is said that if you light a candle in a dimly lit room and say her name (Bloody Mary) three or thirteen times (sources vary), you will see a woman covered in blood in the reflection.
Unbroken Mirrors
If a mirror falls but doesn’t break, it is considered a sign of good luck. However, if the mirror does break, it is believed to signify the opposite—a sign of bad fortune.
Having a Mirror in the Bedroom
According to Feng Shui, having a mirror in the bedroom is thought to double the energy, which can have positive or negative effects. Additionally, there is a belief that mirrors can cause nightmares and that the soul might get confused if it sees itself in the mirror, potentially disturbing sleep. Those who hold these beliefs might choose to cover mirrors at night.
Covering Mirrors
According to legend, if a soul encounters a mirror before the body is buried, the soul might become trapped in the mirror. This is said to happen when someone passes away and their soul begins to wander. It’s believed that this could cause the mirror to darken or even reflect the image of the deceased.
Why Do We Fear Looking at Mirrors?
There are several reasons why we might feel fear when focusing on mirrors; these reasons are both psychological and perceptual.
- Perceptual Distortions and the Troxler Effect: When we look into a mirror for an extended period, the brain struggles to process the surrounding information. This can cause facial features to appear distorted or altered, particularly in low light, leading the brain to see the reflection as foreign, frightening, or even monstrous. This phenomenon, known as the “Strange-Face Illusion,” challenges the limits of visual processing in the brain.
- Strange-Face Illusion: Focusing on a mirror for a long time can make it difficult for the brain to process visual stimuli. In this situation, the brain may misinterpret the reflection, distorting facial features or perceiving them as an entirely foreign face. This can lead to a sense of not recognizing oneself, which can be frightening. This phenomenon is supported by experiments conducted by Giovanni Caputo.
- Self-Criticism and Reflection: Mirrors force individuals to confront themselves, often focusing on their own flaws. When someone looks in a mirror, if they struggle with self-confidence or body image, they may perceive these flaws in an exaggerated way. For someone who is constantly self-critical, the mirror can amplify these negative thoughts, increasing the fear associated with mirrors.
- Mirror and Identity Confusion: When looking into a mirror, a person’s fixed sense of identity may change. The face in the reflection may not be exactly what the person expects, leading to a confusion of identity. The brain may perceive this as a threat, triggering a fear response.
- The Uncanny Valley Effect: The concept of the “Uncanny Valley,” proposed by Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori, refers to the discomfort felt towards things that closely resemble humans but are not quite human. Mirrors can trigger this effect because, while the reflection is of our own face, the brain might sometimes misinterpret the reflection, creating a sense of unease. This response is a natural defense mechanism in the brain against unfamiliar things.
- Belief in the Reflection’s Independent Life: Throughout history, it has been believed that mirrors not only reflect the physical body but also a part of the soul. This belief suggests that when someone looks into a mirror, they may see their own soul, and that reflection might sometimes act independently of their own life. Such beliefs can heighten the fear of mirrors, as feeling that the reflection is beyond one’s control can create deep unease.
- Fear of Enclosed Spaces and Reflection: For some people, looking into a mirror creates a sense of being in an enclosed space. Especially in a small room, a mirror can create an illusion where reflections repeat and multiply endlessly. This can lead to a fear similar to claustrophobia, as the brain struggles to process this endless reflection loop, leading to fear. Too many reflections can disrupt spatial perception and make a person feel lost or trapped.
Why We Fear Mirrors but Not Cameras
After all, in both cases, we are looking at ourselves. We don’t fear watching our recorded videos or seeing our reflection in real-time. However, there’s something different about mirrors:
Looking into a mirror differs from focusing on other visual media because mirrors provide an instant and continuous reflection of ourselves. These reflections can directly conflict with the brain’s fixed sense of identity, making it uncomfortable for several reasons.
- Instant Feedback and Identity Perception: Mirrors reflect a person’s image instantly and continuously. Our brains process this reflection in real-time. If one stares at the mirror for too long, the brain may struggle to process these repeated visual stimuli. As a result, facial features or other attributes may appear distorted, leading to a kind of distortion in identity perception. This kind of distortion doesn’t happen with video or camera-recorded images because these are static and do not provide instant feedback.
- Visual and Perceptual Processing: When looking into a mirror, our brain constantly processes the reflected image. During this process, particularly if the focus on the mirror is prolonged, perceptual distortions may occur. This effect is more pronounced in low-light environments. The same phenomenon does not occur when watching a pre-recorded video or camera footage because those images are static and unchanging.
- Identity and Self-Reflection: When you look into a mirror, you not only see your physical image but also mentally reflect on yourself. This can lead to a confrontation with one’s identity and self-criticisms. Mirrors provide this confrontation in a continuous and intense manner, which can cause identity distortion or questioning. Videos or cameras do not offer this level of intensity, as the viewer passively watches the image.
Sources
Superstitions
https://www.twowaymirrors.com/mirror-superstitions/#%e2%80%9cbloody-mary%e2%80%9d-tudor
https://framemymirror.com/blogs/styled-by-frame-my-mirror/5-superstitions-and-myths-about-mirrors
https://www.jahernandez.com/posts/mirrors-superstition-mythology-psychology-sanity
Why do we fear?
https://www.counsellorwhocares.co.uk/mirror-mirror-why-are-we-so-obsessed-with-you
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/haunted-mirrors-strange-face-illusion
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22603-eisoptrophobia-fear-of-mirrors
https://businessservicesweek.com/5-interesting-facts-about-mirrors-that-you-probably-didnt-know/
https://medium.com/@wm8104595/the-truth-behind-the-mirror-24bd6e1a66c9
https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/mental-health/what-is-catoptrophobia/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/46280355_Strange-Face-in-the-Mirror_Illusion
https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tekinsiz_vadi
Different effect
https://www.reddit.com/r/shortscarystories/comments/5rlp5n/caputo_effect/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/illusion-chasers/locking-eyes-with-a-monster