Why cover mirrors after death

Looking at reflection during prayer is vain and taboo. Death was openly accepted and even fashionable in the Victorian Era. It was Queen Victoria, the ruling monarch, who set the tone for long mourning.

She mourned her husband and wore black for 40 years. The mortality rate was high in the Victorian-era. It was common for people to preserve the dead. Before a Victorian funeral , time stopped—literally. Family members prepared the house for death by stopping clocks and covering windows. Of course, mirrors were covered. Like the cultures mentioned above, some people thought that looking into a mirror could lead to their death. Other traditions carried over to the Victorian era, possibly from the Romans.

People believed that a broken mirror led to bad luck for seven years. Popular culture strengthens the prevalence of mirrors in death traditions around the world. Mirrors are associated with magic. It comes from the time ancient Greeks used them to tell the future.

Even Kings and Queens were fond of mirrors. Later, witches used mirrors as tools for performing spells. Mirrors hold strong superstitions that survived into modern times. Why do we give mirrors magic powers? How is it that these shiny pieces of glass have fascinated culture around the world? When you break a mirror, it makes you shudder.

Maybe the explanation is simple. Or perhaps mirrors are truly a portal into another dimension. In any case, covering them is a symbol of mourning that unites cultures around the world. What are your mourning symbols?

She explains that "inherent in the myth was belief in the existence of a double, or of a soul taking on substance. Consequently, mirrors had to be veiled and water-filled vessels covered after death" to prevent others from dying as well. The Victorian era held many superstitions about death. While the deceased's body was in the house, all mirrors were to be covered in black material. The Barton Upon Humber Family History Aid website explains that this ensured "that the soul of the departed would not get trapped behind the glass and be prevented from passing to 'the other side,'" Similar to the ancient superstitions, the Victorians also believed that "if you saw your own reflection in a room where someone had just died, then you would soon die yourself.

The world of the occult offers explanations for the covering of mirrors after death, as well. Local Cemeteries. Yahrzeit Calendar. Honoring Jewish Tradition. Planning in Advance. Pre-Planning a Jewish Funeral.

A Guide to Jewish Funerals. The Funeral Service. Shiva Customs. Stages of Mourning. Glossary of Jewish Funeral Terms. Service Schedule. Solemn Shiva The word shiva actually has different meanings in various cultures found all around the world. What To Bring Or Send For those unfamiliar with Judaism and its practices, some may wonder what to bring or send to a shiva during this time. Covering Mirrors Covering mirrors in the house of shiva is a common practice for many people.

Sitting Low In the shiva house, mourners are seen seated on the floor, on pillows, low boxes, stools or smaller chairs. Sallyann says:.

When did the custom of covering mirrors begin? When did the custom of burial within 24 hours begin? Ayala says:. Mazel Tov! Moses Joseph Wahnish says:. Sunny's husband Joey says:. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.