Shanghai Traffic Mirror Feng Shui Dispute Sparks Safety Concerns
A seemingly minor traffic mirror in a Shanghai neighborhood has unexpectedly become the center of a significant safety and cultural dispute. For several months, drivers have reported a series of minor accidents at a sharp turn, with the root cause traced back to an unusual factor: a local woman repeatedly moving the mirror to protect her home's feng shui.
Moving Mirror Causes Repeated Problems
The mirror had been installed years ago to assist drivers in navigating the sharp turn safely. However, it recently began to be shifted repeatedly, creating confusion and hazards. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, property management teams attempted multiple times to secure the mirror in its proper position, but their efforts were consistently undone. Authorities eventually discovered that the woman residing across from the mirror believed its placement was bringing bad luck to her family.
Feng Shui Principles at the Heart of the Conflict
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice focused on arranging living spaces and objects to promote luck, harmony, and positive energy flow. Mirrors hold particular significance in feng shui, as their positioning can be interpreted as either auspicious or inauspicious. The woman's husband, identified as Luo, explained to Shanghai TV, "We are no demons. We are not happy having a demon-revealing mirror pointing at us." He further stated that his family had experienced "bad luck and health" issues, prompting them to consult a feng shui master who attributed their misfortunes to the mirror's location.
Neighbors Express Safety Worries
As detailed in the South China Morning Post report, other residents in the area voiced concerns that the moving mirror was making the turn dangerously unpredictable. One neighbor remarked that drivers now had to "pay extra attention when making the turn," highlighting the increased risk. In an attempt to resolve the situation, property management installed an additional mirror on the opposite side of the road. Initially, the woman agreed to this compromise, but after her family encountered further bad luck, she proceeded to move both mirrors once again.
Police Intervention and Legal Warnings
On January 21, police and the neighborhood committee intervened in the escalating dispute. They informed the family that tampering with traffic mirrors could constitute a criminal offense and warned that they might be held liable if any accidents occurred as a result. Online observers have weighed in on the matter, with one commenting, "They protected their own feng shui but compromised the safety of other people. I suppose what they did would not bring them harmony eventually." Another added, "It is foolish to blame everything on a mirror," reflecting broader skepticism about the situation.
