One of the most widespread superstitions states that breaking a mirror brings bad luck for 7 years. There are two original explanations of this belief. First of all the Chinese, and the Orientals in general, who believe that every place where the human body is reflected is sacred, mysterious and therefore also dangerous because it captures, together with the image, the soul of the one who reflects it.
Breaking a mirror therefore means destroying even part of the existence / spirit of those who use it habitually; ergo, it’s a terrible omen. From ancient Rome, on the other hand, when this belief in Europe became widespread, the breaking of a mirror had the significance of portas fortuna for much more prosaic reasons, and here how the 7-year-old bad luck came out.
The mirrors then in fact cost a lot because of the primitive layer of gold, silver or pure copper (later lead, tin, mercury, aluminum, etc.) that was coated as reflective on the base before placing on the glass plate (very expensive material).
Therefore, one of them always meant an inauspicious “loss”, but a loss, above all economic, such as having to make at least 7 years of sacrifice before being able to buy another one.
To avoid misfortune, however, according to the usual popular belief there are two solutions you can apply, that our ancestors used.
The first one says to place the fragments of the broken mirror in a basin of water together with a transparent and very clear stone (e.g. quartz crystal, diamond, aquamarine etc.), leave them there to soak for 7 days and then throw it all (water including, but first remove the stones so you do not lose them, they are precious, and losing them would bring another misfortune and this time undeniable) away from home.
The other recommends that you quickly collect the pieces of mirror, immediately rush to the nearest stream of fresh water (river, stream, lake) and throw them inside.
Breaking glass and glass objects – Symbolism
Shards bring luck, say some – seven years of bad luck, the others say, when a glass breaks. Probably all of us had this happen, where we dropped the glass object on the floor and caused all the pieces of glass to spread around. For those who are extremely superstitious, this means a lot of bad luck. But, if we look at some other traditions, we might notice that breaking glass is not necessarily seen as negative.
At Jewish weddings, a glass is intentionally broken, usually by the groom stepping on a wine glass. The glass broken this way is intended to commemorate the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, it should also remind the bride and groom that even the greatest happiness is fragile and admonish them to cherish sober thoughts even in serene moments
. Even at a bachelorette party, before the wedding, glasses, for example waste glass or drinking glasses, porcelain and stoneware that are no longer needed, are intentionally shattered, in order to wish the future couple good luck for the coming decades together.
Glass, even if broken into a thousand shards of glass, can be beautiful and reflect the light, but it can also be dangerous because of the danger of cutting ourselves. In Greece, there is an old tradition of breaking plates, glasses and other glass objects with saying the word „Opa!“ when people are celebrating something or simply having great time, dancing and drinking. So it doesn’t necessarily mean that breaking glass is going to cause you really bad luck, since it is often used as a sign of happiness and wishing good luck.
On a spiritual level, broken glass can mean two things. On the one hand it stands for the broken barrier between life and life after death, so the dreaming has taken spiritual connection. On the other hand, it may point to shaken trust or destroyed ideals, the dreaming may have given him to a hope that he now has to realize that she will not fulfill.
Dream symbol “broken glass” – The general interpretation
How is broken glass interpreted in dream interpretation? Is it lucky or unlucky to dream of this dream symbol?
In the interpretation of dreams, broken glass can symbolize happiness, but it can also stand for other things. Shards bring luck, say some – seven years of bad luck, the others say, when a glass breaks.
Probably all of us had this happen, where we dropped the glass object on the floor and caused all the pieces of glass to spread around. For those who are extremely superstitious, this means a lot of bad luck. But, if we look at some other traditions, we might notice that breaking glass is not necessarily seen as negative.
For the interpretation, it depends on which glass was broken and by whom. If the dreaming sees broken glass, for example a broken glass or a broken bottle, this is usually interpreted as a sign of fortune.
If the glass is milky, dirty or fogged, the dream symbol suggests that the dreaming is just getting out of isolation and loneliness, as the barrier to other people is broken. Even the breaking of a bottle is considered positive; the dreaming gets rid of an anxiety. Sometimes, however, the dream of broken glass also reminds that the happiness of the dreaming is not long lasting.
It is completely different when the dreaming sees the glass break or even breaks it himself. In the former case, broken glass stands for lovesickness or a separation; either one’s own or another’s love relationship will be broken by the influence of the dreaming.
If he himself breaks glass, this usually indicates an argument. There is a serious conflict ahead or he is afraid to break up with someone. If he breaks a drinking dish or window, this indicates the dissolution of a business relationship.
If the glass is not broken yet, but has cracks, then the interpretation of the dream is a symbol of deceit and falsehood. Sticking broken or cracked glass means the dreamer does not want to see a painful truth or admit a mistake.
Dream symbol “broken glass” – The psychological interpretation
In the psychological interpretation of dreams, glass stands for a barrier which the dreaming has erected between him and the outside world, either for protection or to barricade him. When it breaks, this is often positive from a psychological point of view: it frees itself from a prison, it can breathe freely again, especially when it breaks the glass itself – which can also be understood as a hint that he himself is the things, he should take in his Hand.
Its protective wall is smashed like broken glass. Of course this can also cause a great fragility. Broken glass can therefore also symbolize that the dreaming is very vulnerable or feels very vulnerable.
Broken glass also points to the fragility of human relationships. Maybe the dreaming does not have much faith in a relationship at the moment and is afraid that she might break. Or the dream symbol urges him to be more cautious with others or even with himself in order to do no harm.
Breaking a mirror therefore means destroying even part of the existence/spirit of those who use it habitually; ergo, it’s a terrible omen. From ancient Rome, on the other hand, when this belief in Europe became widespread, the breaking of a mirror had the significance of portas Fortuna for much more prosaic reasons, and here how the 7-year-old bad luck came out.
Dream symbol “broken glass” – the spiritual interpretation
Similar dreams
- Glass
- broken glass
- glass door
- Broken glass in the mouth
- break
On a spiritual level, broken glass can mean two things. On the one hand it stands for the broken barrier between life and life after death, so the dreaming has taken spiritual connection.
On the other hand, it may point to shaken trust or destroyed ideals, the dreaming may have given him to a hope that he now has to realize that she will not fulfill.
