An Analysis of the Symbolic Role of Mirrors in Iranian and Japanese Culture as a Tool for Peaceful Living and Enlightenment

Volume 13, Issue 50
Winter 2026
Pages 14-21

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Persian Language and Literature, National University of Skills, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Museum and Tourism, Faculty of Advanced Studies in Art and Entrepreneurship, Isfahan University of Art, Iran

Abstract
Objects in the world have a form, structure, and meaning that affect human thinking, imagination, dreams, emotions, and actions towards themselves and the world around them. Human artifacts have long played an effective role in shaping their beliefs. A number of them have acquired a symbolic aspect and have found their way into rituals and ceremonies. Since every conscious and creative person, in the process of understanding and perceiving this subject, seeks to establish communication with different aspects of objects, he or she designs a sign or symbol for the recipient to help him or her understand the hidden or self-created meaning of the object’s narrative and establish a conceptual relationship. With the assumption and goal that some of these objects, as ritual tools, have and will have a prominent role in relationships between humans; An ancient structure such as a “mirror” was studied with a descriptive-analytical method, considering its similarities and differences in the ritual and folk beliefs of the two rich cultures of Iran and Japan, as a valuable and symbolic object for promoting friendly relations between nations. In the Iranian-Islamic spiritual and sacred belief, the mirror is a symbol of the human heart and a reflection of the creator’s beautiful and glorious qualities, and a dual symbol of good/bad. In Japanese beliefs, this valuable object is also a sacred symbol and a symbol of wisdom, honesty, and truth, which indicates the justice and impartiality of the divine will. The findings showed that the mirror can be introduced and used as a symbolically valuable gift with a message of enlightenment, honesty, wisdom, and world peace to promote deeper relations between nations.

Keywords

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