A woman in Shanghai has come under police scrutiny after repeatedly moving a roadside traffic mirror outside her residential compound because she believed it was harming her home’s feng shui — a decision that reportedly led to a string of traffic accidents.
Residents in the community said there had been frequent crashes at a sharp turn in the compound over the past two months. Many suspected something was wrong with the convex traffic mirror that drivers relied on to see oncoming vehicles.
The mirror had been in place since the compound opened in 2012, but people noticed it was being constantly repositioned, affecting visibility and creating safety risks. The property management company tried adjusting it multiple times, but the issue kept returning.
An investigation eventually revealed that a woman who lives opposite the mirror had been moving it herself. She believed the mirror was facing her home in a way that disrupted the flow of energy, or “chi,” according to feng shui principles.
Feng shui, which means “wind and water,” is a traditional Chinese practice focused on arranging surroundings to create balance and harmony. Mirrors are considered especially important. According to feng shui beliefs, they should not face a front door, window or bed, as this could drive away good fortune or bring trouble to a household.
The woman’s husband, surnamed Luo, later explained that his wife had recently experienced what he described as “bad luck and health” problems. The couple invited a feng shui master to assess their home, and the master reportedly blamed the traffic mirror.
Luo said they felt the mirror was like a “demon-revealing mirror” — an object from Chinese mythology believed to expose demons disguised as humans. “We are no demons. We are not happy having a demon-revealing mirror pointing at us,” he told Shanghai TV.
However, neighbours strongly disagreed with the couple’s actions. One resident said drivers now had to be extra cautious when approaching the turn because the mirror’s position could not be trusted.
To resolve the dispute, the property management company initially installed a second traffic mirror on the opposite side of the road. The idea was to maintain road safety while reducing the impact on the couple’s home. Although Luo’s wife first agreed, she later adjusted both mirrors again after believing her family was still experiencing bad luck.
With accidents continuing and tensions rising, the neighbourhood committee invited local police to speak with the couple on January 21. Officers warned them that tampering with public safety equipment could be considered a criminal offence and may carry the possibility of imprisonment.
Police also told them they could be held legally responsible for any traffic accidents caused by moving the mirrors.
In the end, the property management company sealed the mirrors in place with cement to prevent further adjustments.
The case has sparked discussion online, with some observers criticizing the couple for prioritizing personal beliefs over public safety.
