Motif
covering mirrors after death to prevent soul capture
covering_mirrors_after_death_to_prevent_soul_capture
A motif of the Sacred Treasures and Power Objects family, within the sub-family Mirrors and Reflective Objects. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
comparative
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The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2) CHAPTER I. THE KING OF THE WOOD. / MACAULAY. / CHAPTER II. THE PERILS OF THE SOUL. / HEINE.; lines 3606-3684 confidence: high
Frazer explains covering or turning mirrors after a death as fear that the soul projected as a mirror reflection may be carried off by the departed ghost lingering until burial, and compares this to an Aru custom concerning dreams after death.
The passage explains the widespread custom of covering or turning mirrors after a death as protection against a lingering ghost carrying away a living person’s reflection-soul.
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