Mirrors and Souls: Renaissance Italy's Secret Fears

In Renaissance Italy, a profound belief captivated society. Many thought that mirrors,

those shimmering surfaces, possessed a dark power: they could steal your very soul.

These exquisite mirrors were incredibly rare and expensive treasures. Most were meticulously crafted in the

famed glassmaking workshops of Venice, making them symbols of status and mystery.

People believed mirrors trapped spirits and could reveal hidden sins. Breaking one was

considered a grave omen, condemning the individual to seven long years of relentless

bad luck. When someone was dying, families would solemnly cover mirrors.

This desperate act prevented the departing soul from becoming tragically trapped inside the reflective surface.