Why should mirrors be covered at night?

People cover mirrors at night for a mix of cultural, superstitious, psychological, and practical reasons. In many spiritual traditions and folklore, mirrors are believed to be portals or reflectors of energy, and covering them at night is thought to prevent spirits, negative energy, or bad luck from entering the room while sleeping, or to stop the soul from being trapped or disturbed during sleep when it is considered more vulnerable. In Feng Shui, covering bedroom mirrors at night is recommended because mirrors facing the bed are believed to disrupt sleep, create restlessness, amplify anxiety, and affect relationships by doubling energy in the room. Psychologically, mirrors can cause unease at night because low light and peripheral vision can create illusions, reflections of shadows, or the feeling of being watched, which can increase anxiety and make it harder to fall asleep, especially for children. Some people cover mirrors to reduce light reflection from streetlights, car headlights, or electronics that bounce around the room and disturb sleep. There is also a practical reason for covering mirrors during mourning periods in some Jewish and other traditions to encourage reflection inward rather than on appearance. Overall, covering mirrors at night helps create a calmer, darker, and more psychologically comfortable sleep environment.