The concept of mirror , which comes from the Latin term specŭlum, alludes to one surface what reflects What lies ahead. It is usually a crystal table It is framed and hung on a wall.
It is called reflection to the change of the direction of a wave , produced when, upon encountering a surface that separates two changing media, it returns to its place of origin. In the case of the traditional (flat) mirror, the light that is reflected on the surface converges at a point in space and the image is formed that is "back". This virtual image has the same shape and size of the real object, although it is inverted with respect to the normal axis.
Mirrors are usually placed in the bathrooms and in the bedrooms of the houses. In this way, the people can be fixed: comb, make up, etc. In clothing stores, mirrors allow customers to see how they are wearing the clothes that are tested.
These elements, on the other hand, are useful to have a vision of places that would otherwise be inaccessible to eyes Due to its location. Cars, for example, have rear view mirrors so that the driver can see what happens behind his back (that is, behind his own vehicle). In many places, on the other hand, mirrors are installed that allow those who are behind a counter to see different sectors of the trade.
A similar example occurs in hairdressers, where it is often necessary to use two or more mirrors so that the client sees the back of his head and can appreciate the work of the hairdresser. After a cut of hair which involves this area, it is normal for the professional to take a small mirror, place it behind the client and point it to the one in front of him, so he can see his own neck.
In short, the mirror is a very useful and versatile invention, since it allows us to get ready before going for a walk, to verify the accuracy of a job we are doing or even protect ourselves from potential collisions while driving. But it can also be part of an obsession, for those people who have disorders related to their appearance .
The problems to accept the body itself are many and of varying intensity: from the concern to maintain the figure that carries a very strict diet to the body dysmorphic disorder (which leads the individual to perceive their own image in a very distorted and to suffer depression), having a mirror at hand can sometimes be harmful. In these cases, it is essential to have someone to accompany the patient to help him face his crises, although many of them occur precisely because of the lack of a healthy reference.
Beyond the daily utility of mirrors and the physical explanation of their operation, mirrors are objects that are linked to superstitions and myths . It is said that vampires are not reflected in mirrors since the reflected image is the soul image , and these beings lack it. Different legends and literary works, meanwhile, take mirrors as gates to other worlds or windows to the universe of spirits .
This term can also be used to refer to the ability of any surface to reflect the images projected on it, either totally or partially. For example, if after cleaning and polishing a marble table it is impeccable, someone can say that "it looks like a mirror", even if you don't really believe that but say it to congratulate who has left it in those conditions.
