We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Why is It Considered Bad Luck to Break a Mirror?

Michael Pollick
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 493,987
Share

It is said that when you break a mirror, your cosmic penance is to endure seven years of bad luck, unless you can find a way to counteract the negative effects. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to prevent all that karmically bad juju after you break a mirror, although you might have to get a little dirty or soggy. It's still preferable to spending the rest of your seven year sentence wondering why your car keys keep breaking off in the ignition or why you keep missing the bus.

The origin of the "break a mirror, face seven years of bad luck" superstition can be traced back to the Romans, who were the first to create glass mirrors. Just because your culture invents something totally useful like a mirror doesn't mean you can't still have some irrational beliefs about its use. The Romans, along with the Greek, Chinese, African and Indian cultures, believed that a mirror had the power to confiscate part of the user's soul. If the user's reflected image became distorted in any way, this could mean a corruption of his or her soul.

To make bad matters even worse, if the user should break a mirror it would mean his or her soul would be trapped inside the Bizarro world the mirror represented. Essentially, a broken mirror created a broken soul, which in turn lead to the broken health of the unfortunate user. The Romans also believed that a person's physical body renewed itself every seven years, so under that criteria it would take seven years before the user's soul would be fully restored. Up until then, life for a mirror breaker would be one long string of unfortunate events, since he or she no longer had a healthy soul to ward off spiritual evil-doers.

Fortunately, there are also a number of rituals which are said to counteract the very bad hair day created when you break a mirror. Since the pieces of the mirror can still reflect the corrupted soul, the entire mirror should be ground into dust. No reflection, no problem. It is also suggested that after you break a mirror, you should invest in a shovel and bury the pieces under a tree during a full moon. African slaves working in America believed the bad luck could be washed away by placing the pieces in a river flowing in a southerly direction.

If you should happen to break a mirror accidentally, seven years of bad luck may not be your first concern. Wrap tape around the mirror's frame to hold the smaller fragments in place. Avoid touching the broken shards of glass without proper protection for your hands and feet. Whenever you break a mirror in a public space, you need to report the damage to an authority figure as soon as possible to prevent others from becoming injured.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Pollick
By Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to WiseGeek, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range of topics. His curiosity drives him to study subjects in-depth, resulting in informative and engaging articles. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael honed his skills as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.
Discussion Comments
By anon996241 — On Jul 29, 2016

I've now read all of your posts and my bad luck just began! I'm so scared for what might be in store for me in the future. I've been in a car and have been so close to death. I'm telling you guys to be careful around mirrors. Whatever I have been going through is probably going to make me die. Hope no one else goes through what I have been through.

By anon995799 — On May 26, 2016

I'm 43 and clumsy, so believe me when I say I have broken more than a few. I remember one instance, back in 1999, when I broke a full length mirror moving. Out of the 7 years, the only bad event that happened after was a divorce. That was already in the works, I'm sure.

From '99-'04 were some of the best years of my life. I got accepted into great college. I also got financial approval. 2005 was a series of unfortunate events.I brought all that on myself. I took my good fortune for granted and did a lot of reckless things. I eventually got kicked out of school. Death in my family happened years after this. So I believe you create your own good and bad luck. Everything else is coincidental.

By anon989298 — On Mar 01, 2015

I intentionally punched a mirror six years ago and it shattered when I was drunk. The first four years after were a complete daze and severe depression and I was in and out of trouble. I wouldn't be writing this if I hadn't done it on purpose and I don't even know why I did it.

The reason I feel like I might have been cursed is because ever since the incident I've had this overwhelming sense of social awkwardness. Before it happened I had a lot of friends and was pretty well accepted. Then after it seemed as though I was always in a rush to end a conversation or to say goodbye instead of casually and comfortably going about my day and engaging in conversation with others. It ruined several relationships for me as I was just too wild and weird and heard too many voices in my head over analyzing my every decision.

The reason I think about it now as I lie here unable to sleep is because my life has slowly gotten better and I don't hear voices whispering in my ear anymore, whereas before, they were very real and strange and I just did not know who I was.

I felt very lost for the longest time and all throughout the memory of breaking the mirror has been my most vivid bad memory. If it is a real curse, maybe it is a beautiful thing because once you do find yourself again you almost feel brand new and like anything is possible. You feel an overwhelming sense of love and enlightenment. You truly start understanding who you are and feel a little more at peace. Very curious to see what my next year will be like.

By CindyBuds — On Oct 07, 2014

I broke a mirror when I was 17. That same year I got bullied to death in school. Before I was that age, I was very cool with mostly everybody in the school. I knew almost everyone. And before the mirror accident, I had beautiful skin but after the mirror accident I broke out in major acne that didn't fade until several years later after hard work for treating it and keeping healthy. My boyfriend cheated on me with numerous men. Everything just tore apart after that mirror accident.

Then, several years later, everything was okay and normal until about three years ago when I broke another mirror and have experienced some terrible bad luck since then. I had major depression and my new car got stolen and never was found. So I guess breaking a mirror was a short, unexpected note of saying that bad luck is shortly to come my way. I did some bad things in my life. Everyone does. But I've never learned my lesson. I stole things from stores and took revenge on a lot of people that I haven't yet had the chance to forgive.

By anon966079 — On Aug 16, 2014

I think that breaking a mirror won't give you bad luck, but if you think so, then be careful, even though it's just a superstition. You're more likely to get good luck if you think you'll get good luck, and the same with bad luck, instead. But most of all, I think the bad luck/shattered mirror thing is just crazy.

By anon950167 — On May 08, 2014

@Post 70: Shouldn't your cat be the one with bad luck if it broke the mirror?

By anon944420 — On Apr 07, 2014

What happens if someone else breaks your mirror? Is it bad luck for you or what?

By anon358608 — On Dec 11, 2013

Half of the things you report are after you break the mirror and believe in the idea of it giving you bad luck. Thus you people are setting yourselves for 'bad luck'. More likely than not you are just experiencing this thing called life. It happens and it's rather unexpected.

By anon349531 — On Sep 26, 2013

I am a dressmaker and have had a massive mirror in my studio for about 10 years. I am not superstitious and didn't believe in the curse myth until I broke the mirror. I have a very quiet life with no major bad or good happenings, just easy. I am 42 so have been around a bit. It has been only two weeks since I broke the mirror and I have had my seven year old in hospital, I was in hospital, my car transmission has blown up, my TV power supply has blown up, my house roof is leaking my cat has started crapping all over the house and has never that done before and other little things.

I'm worried about what the future has to hold. How else can you break the curse? I only just got to clean up the mirror as I didn't know what to do with it as it's so big, so it's too late for the seven hour thing. It's gone already so I can't bury it.

By anon341748 — On Jul 14, 2013

I have a friend who said she owned an antique mirror. Three years ago, she threw an object at it on purpose and cracked the mirror. She put it in her basement and three years later she found that mirror and it is no longer cracked at all. Has anyone ever experienced that? I thought it was an angel...

By anon339112 — On Jun 20, 2013

On average in seven years, two people you know or are close to will die. If you live in modern suburbia, there are at least 11 black cats in your immediate community, and it would be odd not to cross paths with one.

You are likely to injure yourself or fall ill at least three times in seven years. The same rule applies to those around you. At least one natural disaster is certain (the destruction level, unknown).

Lastly, to all those blaming the mirror for their exam/test/job failures, you failed because you did not prepare properly. Up your game. The same goes for anything else that is seemingly bad luck. It's cause and effect, people.

I would like to add that I believe in some weird stuff and I have an open mind, but this is just a sad attempt at passing the buck or reading way too much into things

Everyone relax! You probably won't die or get seven years of bad luck because you broke a mirror. It is an inanimate object, and that is all. Nothing more, nothing less.

By anon337753 — On Jun 07, 2013

Believe me, breaking a mirror is bad luck for you. I broke a mirror two years ago, then recently I got four injuries: First, the day before my first soccer game my classmate hit me in the head with his knee. Second, I slipped on the ice and I hit the back of my head. Third, the same kid hit my forehead with a piece of ice the size of a potato. Fourth, I slipped on the ice and broke my nose.

By anon331040 — On Apr 20, 2013

By the definition of good and bad luck, it is the initial case of breaking the mirror that is bad luck in the first place, unless of course you were attempting to break it on purpose, in which case it's good luck.

There is no such thing as good or bad luck. It is the petty minded attempt of an individual to cope with a situation they cannot control by resigning their fate to a mystical force.

By anon299516 — On Oct 25, 2012

There is no such thing as bad luck.

By anon293647 — On Sep 26, 2012

I once broke a line of mirrors. I first accidentally broke the first mirror then the others behind it just broke, as one collapsed on one another like dominoes. It was about 12 mirrors. So doing the math, seven times 10 is 70 years. What? Seventy years? Are you kidding me?

After the accident I had to pay the owner of the store for the accident. After that I went home and I wasn't looking and fell. Then, you won't believe what happened. I still remember it. A black cat walked across me when I reached home. Then I had terrible luck. I hope it will stop. No way for 70 years!

By anon292612 — On Sep 20, 2012

In the year 2000, I was new to a town where I was staying as an exchange student. As I rushed to the door due to thunder and snowing, I was going through the things in my backpack looking for the keys. At that moment, the cellphone inside the same backpack rang loudly, so as I reached for it, I also caught a little hand mirror that was in the bag. When they both came out in my hand, there was this shattering noise together with the ringing phone. The mirror cracked by itself as if the piercing noise had cracked it.

I had a big laugh at this weird incident, but not a logical explanation for the shattering of the vanity mirror.

By anon292288 — On Sep 19, 2012

I broke a bathroom mirror and a week later our elementary school burned down from two lightning strikes. I lost my part time job, battery died in my car, and other small bad luck instances.

By anon290666 — On Sep 10, 2012

I broke a mirror today and I am a bit worried about it. This was actually a door of a bathroom cabinet which fell accidentally.

I have researched the internet about what to do to reverse the bad luck. What I did is buried a piece of the mirror in the garden by moonlight and also threw a pinch of salt over my left shoulder. This is all I can do and I hope it is enough. Stay strong.

By anon289185 — On Sep 03, 2012

I've had several mirrors broken, and I'm 19 now. So far, my wallet with over $1000 in it got stolen, I failed my driver's test, feel depressed, can't trust my friends anymore, my boyfriend broke up with me, I didn't have money to finish college and I got fired from my job just because I could not remember my lines. It's getting worse.

By anon286600 — On Aug 21, 2012

I broke a mirror about a year ago. About three weeks ago, there was a bad storm and lightning stuck the roof of my apartment and it caught on fire. Let's just say now I'm sleeping on my mom's couch getting woken up every 30 minutes.

Breaking a mirror is no joke, and I have six more years left of bad luck. That was just one example but seriously, every week it's something new. I can't complain because it was my own fault. I just have to make it through for six more years. By then I'll be 26 and hopefully within that time I'll have some juju and karma racked up in my favor.

By anon272264 — On May 31, 2012

At my graduation, during the celebration when everyone was getting their food, my mother broke a plate and at that night, my cousin was lost. Yet we found him few hours after it happened.

The next one was when my brother accidentally broke a compact mirror of mine. It was early morning, when he was fixing his bed. And later that day, afternoon, we received a call saying that my stepfather had passed away.

The very latest scenario was early this morning. I was preparing for my qualifying exam at a bank. I was shocked when my mirror fell. It fell facing down, but didn't make a sound, so I thought it wasn't broken, but to my surprise, I broke it. And unfortunately, the bad thing that happened was I failed the examination.

But above all these, I know God has His own plan for me. "Stop worrying for anything, but rather, pray for everything." God bless.

By anon255641 — On Mar 18, 2012

With people who break a mirror and say nothing has happened. Has it even been a year yet? Seven years is a long time. Wait years to determine the curse and see how good your life has been. I did this and I believe that this curse is true.

By anon255640 — On Mar 18, 2012

I was going to post my full experience but decided not to. I have broken a mirror and my seven years finally ended a while ago. I would say don't worry about it, and don't think about it if you do break a mirror. Also try some of the tricks to prevent it. In the end though, I believe it is true.

It was never in my head. I never thought about it but I counted seven years when I broke it, just in case. Now looking back in the seven years, I believe it now, but didn't ever think about it when all these things were happening.

Well I have been through so much bad luck and I was going yo give everyone examples in this post. It is true I didn't believe it myself but now that seven years have passed, I would not rule it out. I love how people jump to conclusions and say it's fake.

Go throw someone's mirror around until you break it (so it's accidental) then lie to them that you weren't throwing it around. Now wait seven years and look back at those seven years, and get back us, I'm positive you will go through a lot in the next seven years. It will probably the worse seven years of your life.

Go try it if you think it's fake, but if you're someone smart, you know that our ancestors were right and would not try such a thing.

By anon251695 — On Mar 02, 2012

In times long past, it was likely expensive for a person to replace a mirror. By stating one would have bad luck made people more careful.

It doesn't have anything much to do with religion, as far as I see it. Some people believe in superstition and what one truly believes will happen.

By anon250175 — On Feb 24, 2012

I broke two mirrors while putting them at the curb for garbage pickup, on purpose, while directly looking at it!

Didn't make a darn difference. Life continues, with normal random events. Ups and downs, normal life stuff.

But then, I'm not superstitious or delusional like most other people here, obviously.

Perhaps the fix is for people to simply stop choosing to see things that do not exist!

By anon248441 — On Feb 17, 2012

Maybe it's just superstition, delusions and hallucinations. Scientifically oriented people never suffer from this kind of nonsense. Beware of religious people and people who make claims only based on beliefs!

By anon243604 — On Jan 28, 2012

People naturally hallucinate, suffer from delusions, and become superstitious. Look at religion for instance. Plus all those horoscopes. I'd just roll my eyes, and move on. No scientific evidence of this at all! Next!

By anon243439 — On Jan 27, 2012

I read a lot of good stuff here. First, believe in God and Jesus first. Superstitions are just that. Second I have had good luck every time there is a Friday the 13th, so I believe the mirror I broke today will bring me good luck.

Last people, don't worry, be happy. Just smile, breathe the air, enjoy the sun and laugh, and love, and relax. Geez, we only have this one life to live and we need to be positive and have good attitudes. Don't waste seven or more years worrying. It's bad for the health, and God knows, health is everything. Luck to you all.

By anon237304 — On Dec 28, 2011

If you took a psychology class, then you would know that people blame things. Especially when something bad happens coincidentally. It could be another reason, like how stupid it is to believe in it. people blame things for bad luck, but it's probably their own fault.

By anon220290 — On Oct 06, 2011

I'm doing a speech project on superstitions and I loved this article! thank you wisegeek and posters!

By anon211686 — On Sep 03, 2011

My Aunt got in a wreck about a few months ago, and the other car smashed all of her mirrors in her car. When she was in the hospital, she was perfectly fine. She went home a few days after, and broke another mirror in her bathroom. She's living an ordinary life like before the wreck. She believed in God.

So I think this whole 'when you break a mirror you have bad luck for seven years' is all a myth, and a superstition.

If you pray to God, and believe in him, you will have a pretty good life. It's all a coincidence to whatever happens to you. She's even lost a lot of weight in the past years. I think that's pretty much good luck.

By anon199412 — On Jul 23, 2011

I broke a stand up mirror. I knew about the beliefs about seven years bad luck, but I really tried not to think about it, you know like people say it is all in your head.

It has been almost a year now. Last night me and my daughter started counting things that have happened to us, and kind of looking back to analyze why or what should have been done to prevent it. Nothing makes sense. Seven big, some bad, some not really, accidents happened to us since. I just hope that it is not seven years but just seven things! I really hope so. And I'm looking forward for good changes in our life.

By anon198816 — On Jul 21, 2011

If a mirror falls off the wall but doesn't break, is this bad luck or good luck?

By anon194380 — On Jul 07, 2011

I just broke a mirror several days ago and I think that this will bring me good luck. Because before I broke the mirror, I had lost my job, had my car repossessed, got evicted from my apartment, and then had to live in a homeless shelter with my daughter while pregnant. But to be honest, none of the things above were due to bad luck, they were due to bad judgment on my part. So, no, I don't believe in this myth!

By anon187113 — On Jun 16, 2011

does bad luck also apply to young children? My three year old cousin broke a mirror. hope nothing bad happens to the little kid.

By anon184415 — On Jun 08, 2011

My dad broke a mirror the summer of 2009. We didn't think much of it because our family doesn't really believe in superstitions. I was just mad because I could have been walking out of my house looking like a clown without a mirror.

As months passed by, bad things started happening to us. Like, really bad. We lost our house, my parents almost divorced, we had problems with the law, and our economic stability is pretty much non existent.

I never really thought of these events as part of a curse, until I reflected on how good our lives were before he broke the mirror. I would have never expected the events to happen. Ever.

Today, I don't think it's a coincidence that all of these bad things started happening to us. It's all because of that broken mirror.

By anon167785 — On Apr 14, 2011

I'm having awful luck. I broke a coffee table mirror at work in 2006 and it's been very, very bad. After my car was stolen i never got it back, I've been in two car accidents, lost two jobs have been evicted twice. I was homeless and still kind of am. I've been going in and out of court and in March was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Last weekend my dog attacked a person and also bit me and we had to put him down. So crappy.

By anon162456 — On Mar 23, 2011

I have one thing to say and that's stop worrying about all this crap! I'm doing a speech on superstition because it is an interesting topic, not because I'm superstitious. You people have nothing to worry about. Just stand strong and forget about it. Trust that you will be okay and all will go well. It's not the mirror, it's all in your heads! please just take my advice!

By anon157209 — On Mar 01, 2011

Someone placed a mirror broken in three pieces into my neighbor's yard, (on their side of our dividing fence). It has been there for several months, but today someone placed the broken pieces on my side of the fence.

I asked my neighbor about it, and they said they had had no broken mirrors from their home. I'm wondering if I'm getting the bad luck. Yesterday i cut my knee open and had a brush with the law (just two incidents from the last several months). we have put the mirror pieces in our bin. i am going to do a safety spell to release whoever is messing me about.

By anon156971 — On Mar 01, 2011

If the mirror was included in an iron frame, and the shards are covered with rust, you have to think how to upgrade the shards, for example with putting them into power of elements for example heat, water and stuff you can use them to fight against dragons. those rust mirror shard weapons are the most powerful weapons in the universe. look out for rust mirror shards.

By anon156457 — On Feb 27, 2011

I'm the same person who posted comment 85, the previous comment. i broke that mirror three days ago and since then nothing unlucky has happened to me, i read on a different site that if you're roman catholic you shouldn't believe in things like that, i am roman catholic so i don't believe in it.

I advise to christians out there that there are only two Gods: God, and Jesus Christ. So even if you're roman catholic, my advice is to look positive and not negative, forget about it. i forgot about it and i stayed the same. i cracked the mirror not smashed it and the crack is so small it feels smooth.

i am worried about something that will happen tomorrow but i believe that it has nothing to do with the seven years bad luck sentence. just forget about it and you'll be fine.

By anon155777 — On Feb 24, 2011

I cracked a mirror just over an hour ago and in that time, nothing worse has happened to me. i am already an unlucky person so I don't know if I'll get unluckier or stay unlucky.

i was closing my cabinet, which is a mirror, and I slammed it shut and a small crack appeared. Will I get bad luck?

it wasn't a smash, it was a crack. by the way, i am worried. please reply.

By anon152711 — On Feb 14, 2011

The other day I had a mirror face down and I stepped on it. For the past few days I've just been unable to control my temper. The mirror wasn't facing me, but I think because it was mine and it always seemed to be more then just a mirror, I think it might be what's causing it. Could also be just that it's Valentine's Day and I really can't stand this holiday.

By anon152617 — On Feb 14, 2011

I broke my great grandmother's dresser mirror when i tried to move it the day i brought my son home from the hospital a few days after he was born. I have had the worst luck ever for the last 6 years and 10 months. Two more months to go,and hopefully things will start to look up again!

By anon147695 — On Jan 30, 2011

i just broke a mirror and I'm now really nervous about what might happen because I'm only 12 and after reading what has happened to others I'm scared and i don't want to die or get hit by a car and I'm too scared to even leave the house now.

By anon142260 — On Jan 12, 2011

I broke a mirror accidentally in public before christmas. soon after that, i lost my job. after that, i got a bad eye infection. A couple of days later, i thought i was pregnant, and my boyfriend wanted to end our relationship. this morning, my mom broke my expensive piggy bank i made. I'm about to bury it before my hair falls out for no reason.

By anon141615 — On Jan 11, 2011

i heard that if you break a mirror while it didn't have your reflection in it you won't have bad luck. so maybe that's why some of the below don't have bad luck after breaking a mirror.

By anon138612 — On Jan 01, 2011

It happens to me too. I'm still in my third year of bad luck. I can't wait until it's done with!

By anon138500 — On Jan 01, 2011

I broke a mirror and the next day I won 5 grand in a slot machine!

By anon137855 — On Dec 29, 2010

My cousin Randy accidentally broke a mirror. That same week, instead of seven years of bad luck, he died in freak accident. He went to a park, where there was some construction going on and a lamp post collapsed and killed him. He was only seven years old.

By anon136113 — On Dec 21, 2010

I broke a big mirror in 1989/1990 when I was 17. I was never very happy with life, though I became relatively content around 1996/1997. I broke another big mirror in early 1998. I immediately fell in love with someone who didn't feel the same way and it hit me very hard.

In 2001 I became seriously mentally ill. Recovery was slow, during which I broke another (small) mirror in 2004. Only now, in 2010, do I feel I've really got over my illness, and I'm in a much better position in life than I've ever been before. All I've ever wanted is to find love.

My 21 years of bad luck will run out in 2011. Now there's this girl I know, she's the most beautiful thing I've ever known in my whole life.

By anon132802 — On Dec 08, 2010

I accidentally knocked a mirror off my bed two nights ago and although I don't want to believe in this seven years or bad luck I did miss the bus the next day, nothing big really, but still bad luck right? I think I could really use some good luck, but I keep thinking about the bleeping mirror! No idea what to do.

By anon132181 — On Dec 06, 2010

I broke a mirror a few years back. actually i think I've broken more! And all my life, I've been getting bad luck. I've lost my passport lost countless money lost lots of things lost my wallet two days ago including everything in it even my keys! And bought another one yesterday and that got lost.

Then i ordered a new card that came through today. i went to the atm and it swallowed it up! Things just get worse and worse. my bad luck is unbelievable!

By anon127213 — On Nov 15, 2010

My cat knocked over and broke a mirror in my bedroom which I was told from a Chinese healer was harboring negative energy (before the break). It's been about a year. I was already having poor health and luck. The past year has been the toughest ever. The mirror was already disposed of.

By anon124590 — On Nov 06, 2010

I just broke my small magnifying mirror in the bathroom, I always thought it was a little too small. I guess now I can buy a bigger and better one! How's that for good luck?

By anon124476 — On Nov 05, 2010

I was blacked out drunk and woke up with a broken mirror and glass everywhere. I just kind of stumbled into it and it broke. I have cuts on my body from the shards.

By anon117428 — On Oct 10, 2010

i broke a mirror while cleaning it. it's one of those bendable cheap mirrors. does that mean i still have bad luck?

By anon117414 — On Oct 10, 2010

Luck is fake. People are always looking for different things and ways to control their lives. Something goes wrong they will place the blame on "bad luck or some other outrageous myth. get a grip people.

By anon115340 — On Oct 01, 2010

well i just broke a mirror last week. i dropped half of this other piece of mirror in the bathroom. it went to there are two mirrors that go together. anyway i broke a mirror back in 2008 in my bathroom in the apartment i used to live in, and have had a dui, totaled my car, went to court for a misdemeanor and lost my job after that. i think i reversed my curse by doing so again in the same place. I'm in the process of landing a really good job.

By anon109799 — On Sep 09, 2010

I already have bad luck and I broke the mirror by accident. I'm hoping that it reverses my bad luck. hahaha.

By anon107104 — On Aug 28, 2010

i broke a mirror a couple week ago and never had any bad luck.

By anon106465 — On Aug 25, 2010

I broke a mirror when I was eleven, and then entered puberty. Talk about seven awful years!

I just broke a mirror today, but got really good news about two hours later. I'm not worried.

By anon104676 — On Aug 17, 2010

well I broke a mirror and have been getting bad luck since. I have already thrown away the mirror pieces and now I really need suggestion on countering the bad luck.

By anon102715 — On Aug 09, 2010

people, there is no such of thing as bad luck for breaking something made by men, so please, maybe you guys should read the bible and believe in god as you believe in the mirror thing. It will help you a lot more.

By anon96804 — On Jul 17, 2010

I broke a mirror by stepping on it and since then I have had headaches, and some parts of my body will swell up for no apparent reason, and I can't sleep very well at all. I have shivers and will be so cold that I feel like I'm sitting in ice, but then shortly after, I'll get really hot.

I know this whole bad luck thing is just in the mind which is why I didn't think much of it, but I'm the type of person who needs my sleep and when I don't get it, well lets just say I'm not much of a 'happy camper' and it's just not fair for my friends and family to have to put up with my bad moods. What can I do?

By anon94985 — On Jul 11, 2010

well i broke a mirror when i got in a fight because i had anger and now i don't worry about it and i feel at the best in my life. i got the girl, I'm in boxing and i don't have any bad luck.

By anon87369 — On May 30, 2010

I used to believe in superstition. But now I know it's all in the mind, and that makes it attract more negative or positive energy. Just think more positive each day. And for superstition. just believe in good superstitions not the negative ones. I am a Christian and I believe in God and I just pray when I think about or some negative superstition happened to me.

By anon87010 — On May 27, 2010

So if you get someone else to look in a mirror and then you break it, does that stop them from mimicking you all the time? Do they get bad luck or do you? If you're both looking in the mirror when it breaks, do your souls get mashed together somehow?

I don't think i have ever broken a mirror, but my luck hasn't been perfect. Bad things happen all the time in life; maybe it's healthier to use the shattered looking glass as a scapegoat than to accept the pitiless arbitrary nature of it all.

By anon85208 — On May 19, 2010

i broke a mirror the other day and all i have had is bad luck. it's so annoying. i want to break the spell. i hate it.

By anon84768 — On May 17, 2010

why would you still have the pieces of a mirror you broke a year ago?

By anon84040 — On May 13, 2010

Well, maybe it only comes true if you believe in it?

By anon83767 — On May 12, 2010

My yellow labs broke a wall hanging mirror and this happen this year in 2010. So far i am facing bad luck, the kids gotten poison, i have fines to pay, the car will not run, rent was late, the family bathtub busted a water main, i fell and twisted my ankle. I am fighting depression, the dog pooped in her kennel, the utilities are paid late to and my cable got shut off.

will this get any worse for me? it all happened when this mirror gotten broken. i think to myself if it rains it pours.

By anon83122 — On May 09, 2010

I broke a mirror three years ago, and I got so scared because of the well-known superstition but after that I got tremendous amount of good luck, I met successful, handsome millionaires, who all became my boyfriends!

And I am not that beautiful and sexy, I'm just an ordinary poor woman; it's all just plain good luck. All the other guys I met are millionaires too who are now my suitors. I am so happy and contented.

Yesterday I broke another mirror, and today I got invited by my aunt for mother's day. I got to eat a lot of delicious food for free! I never did anything to counteract the bad luck superstitious people say, I just collected all the broken pieces and threw it out, to the garbage bin. The mirror I broke yesterday I will just throw it out again and hopefully I'll meet more successful boyfriends for seven years.

Just say in your mind, "I am very lucky, I am very lucky, I am very lucky" three times every day, and see how good luck comes your way.

And my story is not a fairy tale. Hope it helps you guys who have broken a mirror.

By anon82001 — On May 04, 2010

I broke a mirror this morning and I'm scared. I'm trying not to believe the myth, but I've had bad luck all my life i think and maybe this needed to happen to reverse all the bad luck I've been having. I pray this is the case. I was not looking in the mirror when it broke; it just slipped out of my hand.

By anon79190 — On Apr 21, 2010

People used to think that if you took a picture of them it would steal their soul. I guess you could look as this in the same way.

By anon79187 — On Apr 21, 2010

i just now broke a mirror and I'm so scared. i already have a lot of bad luck and now this?

By anon71083 — On Mar 17, 2010

I broke a mirror a few weeks ago by accident. I had no bad luck but i missed the MRT bus more than usual.

By anon68685 — On Mar 03, 2010

I just broke a mirror. I will admit that I have had a lot of bad luck in the past 10 years and I didn't break a mirror then.

It was a mirror that my landlord used to rent his apartment out, he let me use it while renting from him.

The year spent there was the worst year I've had. I was cleaning the apartment because I had just moved and my mop hit the mirror that was leaning on a wall and it broke, so I think it's a sign of a new beginning -- for the better.

By anon68567 — On Mar 03, 2010

I broke a mirror last night. Well, it really didn't break it just cracked. So does that mean i will have bad luck? Because i felt like my life was in some kind of good luck but maybe it wasn't. Who knows?

By anon67677 — On Feb 26, 2010

my son was playing with my mirror. what does that mean? it broke in three pieces, so what should i do?

By anon64712 — On Feb 08, 2010

I just broke a mirror tonight, and this never happens once because i've broken countless mirrors since i was a kid and now i am 27. I even broke two big mirrors the last two years.

I never believe in bad luck. So far, i am the luckiest i could feel, and i always feel blessed for the blessings that god has given me. I have a bigger faith in god than thinking about such superstitions.

By anon63079 — On Jan 30, 2010

Perhaps after breaking a mirror we are just more aware of the bad stuff that happens -- sort of like a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's probably stuff that would happen in our lives anyway, we just put mysterious causes to it now!

By anon61722 — On Jan 21, 2010

i broke a mirror a year ago and have had nothing but bad luck since. i'm going to bury the pieces.

By anon60864 — On Jan 16, 2010

Technically breaking a mirror isn't necessarily bad, you are simply being economically efficient and making more little tiny mirrors. Your trying have more for everyone and your not being selfish by keeping one big one all to your self. Breaking a mirror is an act of kindness.

When that one guy's mirror broke clean in half with that girl, it's just cool. Instead of having one big mirror, you have two smaller ones. You each have your own now ;)

There is always something positive out of everything that happens.

By anon60002 — On Jan 11, 2010

are you all serious? if you break a mirror, you do not get bad luck. That's just some dumb superstition!

By anon58844 — On Jan 04, 2010

I broke a mirror this morning and i'm really, really scared. i've spun around clockwise seven times, apologized to the mirror, will break a glass and will probably even bury it. What else can i do?

By anon58732 — On Jan 04, 2010

i wonder if the "curse" only works if you look into the mirror and then it breaks. I think that would be a much much more interesting curse.

By anon58646 — On Jan 03, 2010

I broke a mirror this morning. I'm not sure if I will get the seven years of bad luck or not. What should I do? I'm not allowed to bury it or anything!

By anon54413 — On Nov 30, 2009

this is very scary! I hope it can really be fixed!

By anon54213 — On Nov 28, 2009

I broke a long bathroom mirror just over a week ago, Since that morning I had a flat tire on my way to work, broke several of my glass figurines, caught a bad cold, my husky dog had to be put to sleep yesterday, all five light sets i put on my tree have gone out plus several other things.

My broken mirror is definitely getting buried in the moonlight!

By anon53908 — On Nov 25, 2009

I think all of the comments above are silly. Don't believe in these silly things. Someone has a business in making mirrors. we need to break some to buy new ones.

By anon53797 — On Nov 24, 2009

The past seven years have totally sucked. I'll be glad to ring in 2010. I hope good comes to all of us. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

By anon52519 — On Nov 14, 2009

well about a month ago i broke my body mirror in my room on purpose and ever since then i've had a lot of bad things happen to me.

By anon52416 — On Nov 14, 2009

i have broken a mirror every Friday the 13th for the last four years and not on purpose!

By anon52387 — On Nov 13, 2009

ive broken a few in my time, broke one about 25 minutes ago. i always thought i was a generally unlucky person but maybe this is why.

By anon51033 — On Nov 02, 2009

I broke a mirror a while back and really good luck happened to me. My wages went up by $30,000. I began to feel really healthy and other stuff. Thank God - I feel blessed. So if you broke a mirror, there is nothing to worry about. I think if you think it will be bring you bad luck, you will invite back luck into your life and if you think it will bring you good luck you will invite good luck into your life. It's what you believe that affects your outcome - so expect good things and see good stuff come into your life.

By anon50025 — On Oct 25, 2009

me and a friend broke a mirror by the fact that she knocked me but i was holding the mirror and it sort of slipped and broke clean in half. now we're both really scared!

By anon45520 — On Sep 17, 2009

i broke a mirror and after that i had terrible bad luck. so many bad, nasty, cruel, mean things happened to me and i was always sad and very alone. Then like 3 months later i broke one again but it was in the middle and didn't break all the way. The next morning my left eye lashes came off from my make up. now i always have bad luck all the time. i feel like i'm lost and really weird. i always have bad things happen to me. i feel like i'm cursed.

By anon42249 — On Aug 20, 2009

what happens if i was to cover a mirror over with wood and hang another?

By anon40263 — On Aug 07, 2009

What happens if I accidentally drop a mirror onto another mirror and both smash?

What about a one-way mirror? Does it only give bad luck if you break it from the mirror side?

What about a double sided mirror, does that give 14 years bad luck when smashed?

By anon40040 — On Aug 05, 2009

I broke a car mirror when my car's mirror hit another car's mirror, does that count?

By anon39080 — On Jul 30, 2009

I once was doing a handstand against a mirror and kicked it hard, then it broke. I am totally scared now because i don't know what to do, what can i do to reverse this bad luck! Is it really true about the bad luck thing with the mirror? Im so worried

By anon38821 — On Jul 28, 2009

I broke a mirror a few days ago. Not on purpose though. It's like a stand up mirror. I put it against the wall too much and it just fell. Does that count as breaking a mirror?? Oh, and I went on another website and read something. It said that you can reverse a bad luck spell by spinning 7 times clockwise. It wasn't very specific. Srry bout' that. Well, I just tried it and I'm not sure if it worked.

By anon37226 — On Jul 17, 2009

Last night I broke a mirror that was in a box, therefore no relfection. Tonight I lost 500 dollars...There must be something else. On the upside, there were five mirrors and only the one broke

By anon35082 — On Jul 02, 2009

does it have to be you yourself who have broken the mirror?? coz at home 4 years ago, mirrors and glasses just kept breaking in different ways for no apparent reason.

By anon34150 — On Jun 17, 2009

I have been having terrible luck. I am hoping that this accident with the mirror will have a reverse effect. haha.

By anon32029 — On May 15, 2009

Are you people serious?

How does breaking a mirror give you bad luck?

Does the mirror have a soul which then comes back in an alternate life and curse you with some form of witchcraft?

By anon29180 — On Mar 28, 2009

What happens if you break an already broken mirror?

By anon26544 — On Feb 15, 2009

Somewhere else i read that the reason why you get bad luck after breaking a mirror is because the gods and goddesses used reflecting images to see their future and breaking a mirror would be like shattering your future. So which one is true because i am trying to do a speech and i need the true facts?

By anon22657 — On Dec 08, 2008

Do you get 7 years bad luck if the mirror gets broken accidentally or on purpose?

By anon18570 — On Sep 25, 2008

I strongly believe if you break a mirror you will have bad luck its happened to me.

By anon18148 — On Sep 16, 2008

I think the two are definitely related.

By anon7977 — On Feb 05, 2008

I broke a stand up mirror in 1990 while I was a high school student. Between 1990 to 1994 I became very very depressed and suicidal. I tried to kill myself 3 times. But before I broke the mirror I was never depressed. Maybe it's just coincidence.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to WiseGeek, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.com/why-is-it-considered-bad-luck-to-break-a-mirror.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.