Click to enlargeIn the Turkish culture, mirrors were traditionally turned towards the wall when not in use. I've heard several reasons for this custom - I was told by friends during my time in Turkey that this was to avoid even the appearance of praying to graven images, though the Turkish culture website I just googled says the custom arose to discourage vanity. Since the mirrors were back to the wall over time they began to decorate the reverse side, and then that developed into a tradition all its own, with many families displaying collections of three, four, even five different mirrors in a grouping on the wall. Once the storeowner reassured me that they were shellaqued and would never need polishing, I even bought the one you see above as this week's Monochrome Monday offering to display in my own home.
And nope, even eight years later it's still never needed a polishing.
30 comments:
Makes a lovely wall decoration,
thanks for the information about the tradition....
Lovely! In the southern states of the U.S., mirrors got turned to the wall when someone died to prevent their spirit from being trapped (or from trapping others!).
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Very interesting. Lovely shot, as well.
I knew that human representation weren't allowed in Mosque but I didn't realize before that concerned also everyday life. Very interesting post.
Nice illustration for Monochrome too.
I never heard of this though the Turks I knew when I served in Cyprus would hardly have informed me of the custom.
Nice post - I have learned something.
Very interesting, looks good in mono.
They do that in Ireland when there's a death in the family too, so it must be quite a common issue with different cultural perspectives.
Cheers
Very neat! I saw a whole bunch of old (old as in ancient) mirrors while we were in Tokyo… and they had the same thing with the backs being decorated. I don’t know if they hung them up or not though.
(By the way, I have been gone and then busy and am just now playing catch up but I love the new look for you blog. Very chic!)
That was really interesting. I had no idea. Don't you just love blogging.
Whatever it is..transform image to mono ..it's look cool.
Have a nice day.
Interesting picture. Today I had a really lazy day, I should have turned my mirrors around. lol.
Hmmm...that looks so interesting! And it has a nice design too. :)
Have a fun week.
I really like it! And your new blog layout too!
Dig it...and I think the mirror thing is an amalgram of customs (as most are) "Graven Images" started that one I think! Keifer Sutherland only keeps a mirror in his bathroom for shaving, started that about 20 years ago because he didn't like looking at himself? Autophobia maybe?
Nice pics and Robin, my Robin, we have the EXACT same KitchenAide Mixer! I so love mine, just wish my kitchen was as clean and my Island as pristine!
What a lovely tradition! This mirror back is stunning!
How interesting! Thanks for sharing this tidbit...
That's a beautiful turkish mirror.
Hmm... perhaps I should look into this custom. Especially first thing in the morning when I even scare myself!
I've learned something not just from the post, but from the comments! I live in the Southern US -- born and raised -- and I never heard of turning the mirror to the wall when someone dies.
Cool post and photo and I love the new look! I'd always wondered where you got your title too... it's been a very informative visit!
Very interesting - love the stories with the photos. Well done on this one.
Wonderful factoid, interesting monochrome ... and I had no idea shellac keeps silver from tarnishing ..
What a clean kitchen!!!!!!!
absolutely beautiful I think I need to find a turkish mirror. I love this one
That is so beautiful! I'd never heard of that idea, but I think it's a good one. Very good photo, too.
That is very cooL! And how do you do a sticky post?
I just set the date for a few days forward ;-).
Your blog give a lot of new dimension, thanks
Very nice, how big is it?
Maybe 10 or 12 inches wide?
Beautiful picture and mirror and an interesting story.
My favorite side of the mirror :-) And those are gorgeous!
For some reason, I was thinking smaller, like more of a compact mirror size. It must be a beautiful piece and get a lot of comments from guests.
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