Mirror (Symbolism)

Metaphoric mirrors are all around us. If the Sun is the symbol of truth, then a mirror is the symbol of the acquisition of truth. It is important that mirrors stay clean. But, it is especially important that all the mirrors stay pointed at the Sun. That's because we don't want mirrors to reflect falsehoods. We only want them to reflect parts of the truth. Thus, combining knowledge from all of these truthful mirrors can bring us even closer to the truth.^[1]

Relation to Other Symbols[edit]

There are three symbols that seem to be directly related to mirrors. The first, and most obvious is the symbol of the Sun. The Sun is the symbol of truth. So, mirrors should always be pointed at the Sun.^[2] But, the symbols of fish and leaves are related to mirrors in a different way. Among the fish their is a need for a fruitful unity. Likewise, among the leaves their is a need to pursue unity by way of truth. That's why the Baha'i text sometimes equates mirrors to fish and leaves.^[3]^[4]

The Báb[edit]

The Báb was the first to use mirrors to demonstrate unity through truth. He asked his followers to visualize what he called a "concourse of mirrors". All of these mirrors are pointed at the same Sun. This meant that the Sun is independent of the mirrors. But, the mirrors are not independent of the Sun. The followers of God are encouraged to be like a concourse of mirrors following the one true God.^[5]^[6]

External Links[edit]

References[edit]

↑ Charles Black, "The Symbolism of Mirrors", Multi Fest
↑ Abdu'l Baha, "Talk at Unity Church Montclair, New Jersey", The Promulgation of Universal Peace
↑ Baha'u'llah, "IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE ONE, THE INCOMPARABLE, THE ALL-POWERFUL, THE ALL-KNOWING, THE ALL-WISE.", Epistles of the Son of Wolves
↑ Abdu'l Baha, [https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/2#287349353 "Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Kinney 780 West End Avenue, New York"], The Promulgation of Universal Peace
↑ The Báb, "Excerpts from the Persian Bayán", Selections from the Writings of the Báb
↑ The Bab, "He is God, the Supreme Ruler, the Sovereign Truth, He Whose help is implored by all.", Selections from the Writings of the Báb

[1] Charles Black, "The Symbolism of Mirrors", Multi Fest

[2] Abdu'l Baha, "Talk at Unity Church Montclair, New Jersey", The Promulgation of Universal Peace

[3] Baha'u'llah, "IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE ONE, THE INCOMPARABLE, THE ALL-POWERFUL, THE ALL-KNOWING, THE ALL-WISE.", Epistles of the Son of Wolves

[4] Abdu'l Baha, [https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/2#287349353 "Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Kinney 780 West End Avenue, New York"], The Promulgation of Universal Peace

[5] The Báb, "Excerpts from the Persian Bayán", Selections from the Writings of the Báb

[6] The Bab, "He is God, the Supreme Ruler, the Sovereign Truth, He Whose help is implored by all.", Selections from the Writings of the Báb

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