Are you wondering why mirrors can sometimes be so scary? When people talk about urban legends and mythology, mirrors are often mentioned. This makes many people curious about what makes mirrors both fascinating and scary. To find out the answer to this question, read the rest of the article below.
Why are mirrors so scary? Mirrors are scary because they are surrounded by many superstitions, myths, and beliefs. Different cultures and traditions have different beliefs about mirrors. From the myth of Narcissus to the superstition of seven years of bad luck, to the many urban legends, there is no wonder why many people find mirrors to be scary at times.
What happens if you stare at yourself in the mirror? Why do you feel strange when you look too long in the mirror? What happens when you look in the mirror at night? Why would someone be afraid of mirrors? These are some of the questions that we will discuss. Check out the rest of the article below to learn more about the topic.
Why Do You Feel Strange When You Look too Long in a Mirror?
Some people feel strange when they look too long in the mirror because they do not understand the reality in inverse. For instance, some people feel that their nose is morphing or that their eyes are getting bigger. The longer that a person looks at themselves in the mirror, the stranger that they would feel. This is because images that fall in the retina of the eyes are being flipped upside down by the brain. Hence, when a person focuses on one thing, their perception becomes inverted which can make them feel strange.
What Happens if You Stare at Yourself in the Mirror?
Staring in the mirror for a few seconds is OK, but as you stare longer, you may experience mirror illusion and self-consciousness. You will notice more about your face. Aside from that, staring too long in the mirror can also lead to hallucinations where you may feel that your face is morphing or you are staring at another person.
What Happens When You Look at the Mirror at Night?
Looking in the mirror for a long time at night where the room is dimly lit, your brain can try to scare you. The longer you look, the more your reflection seems to change which is creepy. You can also check out this article that discusses where a mirror should be placed in a house. We have shared helpful tips and information about the topic.
Is There a Fear of Mirrors?
Eisoptrophobia is a phobia that causes a person to be scared of mirrors or see themselves in a mirror. This can be the result of a traumatic event, superstition, or poor self-image. This is a rare phobia that very few people suffer. Treating this phobia involves help from mental health professionals. Those who suffer from this phobia may undergo psychotherapy, anti-anxiety medication, or relaxation techniques. You can also check out this article titled, should a mirror face a window? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Mirror Superstitions
Some of the popular mirror superstitions include seven years of bad luck, bloody Mary, lost soul, and bad feng shui. Superstitions have been around for many centuries and are considered as a way to bridge the gap in time from ancient traditions to the present. Mirrors are among the items in your home that are surrounded by superstitions. Let us learn more about the different mirror superstitions below.
Seven Years Bad Luck
A popular myth is the seven years of bad luck. According to the superstitions, a person who breaks a mirror can suffer seven years of bad luck. This superstition has been around for centuries and can be traced back to the ancient Romans. The ancient Romans believed that life was renewed every seven years which is the length of the curse. This is an ancient superstition that many people still believe today. The good thing is that there are remedies that you can do if you accidentally break a mirror.
One remedy is to hold the pieces of broken mirrors in a south-flowing river for seven hours. Another option is to grind the broken pieces until they no longer reflect your image. Be careful when grinding the broken glass because it is sharp and is dangerous. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, how to dispose of a mirror without bad luck. We have shared different tips and ideas on how to get rid of a broken mirror without suffering seven years of bad luck.
Bloody Mary
This is an urban legend that involves the use of a mirror and is a popular dare in slumber parties. According to the legend, speaking Bloody Mary’s name thirteen times in front of a dimly lit mirror can summon her bloody ghost.
No Reflection Means No Soul
This superstition is usually attributed to vampires and witches. It is believed that mirrors are meant to reflect our souls. Hence, fantastical beings do not have a reflection in the mirror because they do not have a soul.
See Your Future Husband
Another superstition that involves a mirror is seeing your future husband. It is said that if you want to see your future husband, you need to stare in the mirror during the midnight of Halloween night. Then, peel an apple in one long continuous strip and toss the peel over your left shoulder using your right hand.
Lost Soul
Another popular superstition that involves mirrors also involves the death of a loved one. For instance, In the Jewish culture, covering the mirrors in the house after a death of a loved one is a must. It is believed that mirrors can interrupt the peaceful journey to eternity and that the soul can get lost in the reflection of the mirror.
Bad Feng Shui
Mirrors are an important part of feng shui and should be placed properly to void bad luck. If you have a mirror in the bedroom, make sure that it does not face your bed. Feng shui experts believe that the body and spirit go through a repair process while sleeping. Good energy is multiplied and bad energy is removed from the body. Bad energy that is released from the body can get reflected in the mirror and can disturb your sleep. In feng shui, it is believed to cause nightmares and insomnia.
✅ Video – Mirror Myths & Superstitions: Broken Mirrors, Bloody Mary, & Beyond
Two Way Mirrors shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses the different mirror myths and superstitions. There are many superstitions and myths that surround a mirror. From bad luck bloody Mary to broken mirrors, there is no wonder that some people are crept out scared to look at the mirror for too long. Check out the video mirror for some of them.
Why is it Scary to Stare at a Mirror for Too Long?
It is scary to stare at a mirror for too long because it leads to hallucinations and you will start seeing things that are not there. This can be the result of a phenomenon called the Troxler effect. As you stare at an object for a long time, your brain gets used to the unchanging stimuli. Because of this, your neurons cancel the information and the image starts to blur, distort, or fade until you blink.
If you stare too long into your eyes in front of a mirror, your face will start to look strange as if you are looking at another person. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, how is the Troxler effect applicable to mirrors? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Does Starting at Yourself for Too Long in the Mirror Cause Hallucination?
Staring too long in the mirror can cause hallucinations. At first, you will start to see distortions of their face and then, your face looked more like someone else’s. Some people see unfamiliar faces, animal faces, and monsters. Studies have been made on this. This can be one of the reasons why mirrors are so scary. You can also check out this article titled, why should you cover mirrors at night? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
What Happens When You Sleep in Front of a Mirror?
When you sleep in front of a mirror, it can startle you as you wake up and can even cause insomnia. This is because the mirror makes you aware of any movement that gets reflected into it. As a result, the reflections can startle you. Aside from that, your imagination can go wild as your brain gets a false sense of movement which can scare you and cause you to lose sleep. For more information about this topic, you can read this article that discusses why you are not supposed to sleep in front of a mirror.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses why mirrors are so scary. There are many superstitions, cultures, and beliefs regarding mirrors which can make it scary to someone. Above, we have shared the different reasons why mirrors are so scary. While mirrors have many benefits, they can be also a source of creepiness that can make you uncomfortable or lose sleep at night. Thank you for reading!