THE SECRET HISTORY OF ANCIENT MIRRORS
The mirror as we know it today is a modern and widespread technology that is highly taken for granted. Many people are unaware of the broad history of the mirror and the fact that mirrors have been used for far more in the history of mankind than just vainly checking the outward appearance. Throughout ancient history, mirrors have been used as a portal into the spiritual realm, to connect with higher powers or deities, and to summon clairvoyant glimpses into the future.
The key components of a high quality mirror would be smoothness and reflective material. The smooth, reflective surface will project the same image of photons that are aiming and traveling toward it. The mirror is simply catching the image of traveling light (photons) and projecting it back toward the subject. Mother Nature invented the first version of a mirror herself: still, clear water.
Early on in history and ancient times, people most likely used dark or clay bowls filled with still, clear water to enable reflection and a “mirror image” of themselves. Early forms of mirrors were used for spiritual rituals and magical portals into the paranormal world. Socrates is known for directing young people to spend time studying their own mirror image. His idea indoctrinated that one must look in the mirror to become worthy of their beauty, or learn to hide their disgrace of self-image through deeper understanding. If used with positive intention, the mirror could be used to strengthen the power of moral meditation for oneself.
Mesopotamian culture is highly associated with the first recorded uses of mirrors. Anatolia, a polytheistic Indo-European ancient civilization located in what is now present-day Turkey, was the first recorded group of people known for inventing a version of mirror made from a blackish obsidian volcanic glass. This invention is known to have occurred during the Bronze Age period.
Throughout the vastness of history, other cultures also adopted different versions of mirrors made from different smooth, reflective materials. Early Roman, Greek, and Egyptian peoples are closely and historically associated with the use of mirrors. Early on, use of the solid handheld mirror was not as common because the materials needed were not easily found. Of course, a mirror was a luxury and expensive item. Still, ancient artwork and paintings depict images of women lovingly embracing their image in these early forms of reflective devices.
Mirrors have always had a much deeper meaning than simply staring at one’s own reflection in pure vanity. It was in the mid 1800’s when a German man was credited for inventing what the world knows as a mirror in this day and age- glass with a metallic coating. Since the materials used were inexpensive and easier to find, the use of mirrors became far more widespread rapidly. As owning and using mirrors becomes the everyday norm, the awareness of the mirror’s mystic qualities seem to dissipate.
Staring at one’s reflection in a mirror can be much deeper than checking out the outward appearance. If you have heard the phrase, “breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck,” it is probably because mirrors were much more mystic and rare in earlier days. Some cultures believe that the mirrors in a home must be covered when the death of a loved one occurs, as it is thought that the mirror could capture or trap the soul and prevent it from transcending forward.
Today, mirrors are highly accessible and fairly inexpensive. It’s difficult to imagine a world without the convenience of checking one’s reflection to make sure the appearance is in presentable and satisfactory order. However, becoming used to commonplace of mirrors has taken the focus of the spiritual aspects of how mirrors were used from the beginning of ancient times.
The mirror’s symbolic meaning is highly reflective of what the mirror is capable of doing. A smooth high quality mirror illuminates pure imagery and truth. Allowing oneself to look in the mirror allows oneself to see a solidified truth of their own image; this is why the mirror is highly symbolic and spiritual. With good intention, one may practice eye-contact meditation with self by gazing deeply into the reflection of their own eyes while staring into the mirror image. It is said that eyes are the window to the soul. As the meditating subject stares deeply with intention into the mirror for prolonged period of time, the subject is able to access new spiritual portals and truths that may not have been uncovered before.
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