Discussing the concept of “mirrors” is deliberately demanding a definition of the term. Generally, mirrors are such objects that have the propriety to reflect an image, without altering its dimensions and quality. Particularly, they may have tremendously different connotations, much derived from their original purpose.

In the world of artists and of people who are fond of art, mirrors occupy an important and delicate position. They are regarded as being still proofs of fine art that reflect the truth and the truth only. Their appreciation is due to their various shapes, models and motives they are somehow born with. Also, the quality of the materials used in the fabrication of mirrors is of high importance, as they provide different levels of clearance to the image they are reflecting. An appropriate example of highly appreciated mirrors may be those made out of crystal, for they are considered to be the most accurate of all.

While on general basis mirrors do not represent more or less than objects that are capable of reflecting the image of an object that faces them, on scientific grounds mirrors are attributed a wide range of uses and tributes. Apart from the classical mirrors-which are flat and reflect an unchanged image of an object, there are distinct categories that derive from them. The most eloquent ones are curved mirrors, which have either a magnifying or diminishing effect on images. Mirrors are used in the fabrication of a wide variety of devices and mechanisms, like microscopes, telescopes, lasers and last but not least, photo and video cameras. It therefore may be implied that mirrors were used as raw material in the construction of state of the art technology.

It has also been said that mirrors take a stand in the psychological development of the human mind. Specialists have asserted that mirrors play a very important role in therapy, as many people confronted with psychological problems are able to solve them by using mirrors. Looking into the mirror, finding yourself looking straight into your eyes may arouse the discovery of a wide new version of you, regarding your own self as another person, identifying previously unnoticed features, and bonds to new aspects.

In either way we decide to treat mirrors, we will never cease to find them incredibly useful in our lives. The magical ingredient-silver, which they are composed of is blessing them with the power to always reflect the image that faces them. What we all must remember is that no two mirrors reflect the spectrum of light in the exact same way.

By Margareta Moga