The Broken Mirror Superstition Explained

Download Article

Find out if breaking a mirror really brings bad luck

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano Reviewed by Jason Zuk

Last Updated: February 2, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Is breaking a mirror bad luck?

|

History & Origins

|

How to Avoid Bad Luck

|

Disposing of a Mirror

So, you’ve broken a mirror, and your first thought is, “I’m going to have 7 years of bad luck!” But why is that? Why do so many people believe that breaking a mirror brings bad luck? Well, it all comes down to superstitious beliefs dating back to ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Thanks to tales of mirrors being reflections of the soul, it’s strongly believed that breaking a mirror is a curse. In this article, we’ll explain where the popular superstition came from and why you may believe it. Plus, we’ll even tell you what to do if you break a mirror.

Section 1 of 4:

Is it bad luck to break a mirror?

Download Article

As with most superstitions, there’s no definitive evidence supporting the claim that breaking a mirror causes 7 years of bad luck—it’s simply a rumor. Now, whether or not you believe it is entirely up to you. All in all, it’s important to stay cautious, as broken glass could cause injuries.

Section 2 of 4:

Historical & Psychological Origins

Download Article

1
Historically, the Roman Empire may have started the superstition. Mirrors were first made around the third century during the Roman Empire; however, this isn’t where the thought that breaking mirrors lead to bad luck originated. It was the ancient Greeks who believed reflections (primarily in pools of water) revealed a person’s soul.^{[1]
X
Research source} This idea evolved into the Roman Empire, where Romans believed damaging a mirror was disrespectful to the gods.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- So, where do the 7 years of bad luck tie in? Well, the Romans believed it took 7 years for a body to renew itself; therefore, it must take 7 years for a curse to wear off.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
2
Psychologically, we find solace in superstitious patterns. Whether you want to or not, your brain is constantly looking for patterns in everyday life, even if they happen to be coincidences.^{[4]
X
Research source} This is how superstitions (such as breaking a mirror) are born.
- Let’s say you accidentally break a mirror. An hour later, you drop your burrito. In the next hour, you fail an exam. Your brain starts to connect the dots, discovering a pattern of bad luck starting after you break the mirror.
- Combine this pattern of coincidences with the superstition you’ve heard from others, and you start to believe that breaking a mirror truly causes bad luck.

Section 3 of 4:

How do you avoid bad luck if you’ve broken a mirror?

Download Article

If you broke a mirror, bury the glass under moonlight or throw salt over your shoulder. There’s no need to panic if you’ve accidentally broken a mirror—there may still be a way to avoid 7 years of bad luck! Try reversing the curse by carefully burying the broken glass pieces under moonlight or throwing salt over your left shoulder with your right hand. Some spiritual believe these methods repays the universe, helping you avoid bad luck.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Similarly, some recommend repurposing the broken mirror by making a mosaic or other decorative craft to reuse and thank the object's energy.

Section 4 of 4:

How to Dispose of a Broken Mirror

Download Article

You can easily clean up a broken mirror. If there’s any glass left on the mirror, use painter’s or parcel tape to tape it in place so it doesn’t fall out.
2
Pick up larger fragments of glass first. Put on a pair of gloves and sort through the glass, picking up any large pieces.^{[6]
X
Research source} Dump these larger fragments in a cardboard box to dispose of later.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Avoid using a plastic or trash bag, as the glass could pierce through it and cause an injury.
- Wear hard-bottomed closed-toe shoes while cleaning up the glass to protect your feet.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
EXPERT TIP

Douglass Brown
Glassblowing Expert
Douglass Brown is a Glassblowing Expert based in Half Moon Bay, California. He has over 25 years of experience as a glass artist, and is the owner and operator of 2 glass blowing studios in the San Francisco Bay Area, Half Moon Bay Art Glass and Mare Island Art Glass. Douglass believes in sharing hot glass experiences with anyone who wants to learn about the processes of blowing and sculpting glass. When not teaching, Douglass creates glass art that is a mix of his takes on nature and functional glassware. He has also created the Glass Troubadours, which is a mobile glass blowing studio that hosts parties, events, and visits craft shows.

Douglass Brown
Glassblowing Expert

Wear gloves when handling cut glass. Protect yourself from injury when handling cut glass. Industrial or gauntlet gloves provide better protection than disposable gloves.
3
Use a broom to sweep up smaller fragments. Carefully collect the glass in a dustpan, dumping the contents into your cardboard box.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Place the cardboard box in a large trash can once all the broken glass is cleaned up.
4
Dab the area with a wet paper towel. After you’ve disposed of the broken glass, use a wet paper towel to sponge up any tiny shard of glass. There could be minuscule fragments of glass left that you can’t see with the naked eye.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Only use a vacuum cleaner after all the glass has been removed. Otherwise, you could spread the fragments and/or ruin your machine.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}