A    plane   mirror   with a flat screen or a curved mirror for distorted images?    The choice is yours. Mirrors are inevitably, the talk of the day. From telescopes   to cameras, there is no escape. Delving into the more scientific jargons, they   are best described as “An object that reflects light in such a way that the reflected light preserves most of the physical characteristics of the incident light, in some range of wavelengths   , unlike any other light reflecting objects. The most vital counterparts of a mirror are the eyes of the beholder, light and a suitable substrate selected for reflection. The objects viewed in a plane mirror will appear laterally inverted. The images formed are symmetrical in nature. In a glass mirror ,the reflecting surface (eg Aluminium layer) is placed on the back of the mirror and coated with a protective layer. Light will reflect from this surface, producing   the primary image and and   from the front surface of the glass, producing a weaker secondary image. A virtual image is produced in a mirror when the rays of light that reach our eyes appear to come from a real object ,but there is no object at the apparent source of light. The reflected rays appear to come from an identical object that is located behind the mirror” .
Convex mirrors are used to manufacture side view mirrors for vehicles. The convexity of these mirrors makes the objects appear smaller. Hence, to help a driver take evasive actions against accidents on the road, a disclaimer “Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear” is usually etched on the glass .Even in amusement parks, these convex mirrors are used to warp the images and are known as “Distorting mirrors”,” Carnival mirrors” or “Funhouse mirrors” “.                                                                             
While we are discussing science, can philosophy be far behind   ?  Science cannot gain ground without the advent of philosophy .They both speak in unison, like identical and inseparable twins. Similarly, the aforesaid descriptions   of mirrors   are   not merely scientific jargons. They are encountered   in the form of   some natural phenomena in the day to day lives of sentient beings. The mirror symbolises the following:
Narcissism   : A concept in psychoanalytic theory says,” Narcissism is a reflected appraisal of an individual or a disguised search for one, through which the self seeks affirmation of its own significance.”A quite relatable quote says,   ”Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? ”.Another moral fable suggests that a narcissistic lion jumped into a well to kill the “other lion”  ,which is nothing but a reflection of his own.
Standing in front of the mirror for hours and grooming oneself to achieve an impeccable look is, hence, the direct repercussion of narcissism.
Reflection   : A polished mirror   shows a clear reflection in the presence of light. This signifies that our minds should be clear and amenable to accept new challenges. Each individual should be a maverick. We should roll out the red carpet for criticism, self-realisation and critical analysis. Light signifies wisdom, enlightment and knowledge. We should be a staunch disciple of these three.
Before delivering a speech, the presenter is seen to rehearse it with appropriate gestures and facial expressions, standing in front of the mirror .Hence the mirror stands out as a platform for critical self analysis.
The reflected light preserves the characteristics of the incident light. Similarly, the sermons   preached by our teachers, with their pristine beauty, should reach out to the world.
Illusion : A primary virtual image is produced as a result of the reflecting surface being placed at the back of the mirror and a weaker secondary image is produced due to the front surface of the glass. This signifies that a book should not be judged by its cover. The beauty of an individual lies in his soul.
The images produced are laterally inverted, leading to completely different, illusory time zones. 10:30   looks like 1:30 in a mirror. Thus time can never belong to the present, but can only oscillate between the past and the future.
Convex mirrors are deceptive. They can be the causative factor   for road accidents. Also an obese person can exist in a Utopian realm, where he sees himself as lean as a stick, standing in front of such a mirror.
They teach us symmetry   , another form of illusion. Life is full of turbulences and turmoils. It can never follow the equation, Left Hand Side=Right Hand Side.
Mirrors   do have arch rivals-Windows. They share the same counterparts-glass, light and the eyes of the beholder. Windows are transparent .They allow ventilation and the passage of light .While mirrors teach us   all the lessons under the roof, windows envision an education system that is deeply rooted in the lap of nature, thus following the footsteps of Rabindranath Tagore. They always minister to the needs of intellectual development, innovation, creativity and freedom of every individual. They teach us about opportunities-“A Window of Opportunities”. While mirrors   always confide in to the walls of a room, windows are always constructed after wrecking those walls-“The Walls of Narcissism and Illusion”.  Just like they shun the path of inclement weather, they teach us empowerment and transparency, which in the long run would help us pull through the tough situations.  Our education system should deter the students from merely cramming lessons for examinations and make them the torchbearers of tomorrow.
Although both of them vie for victory in their own way, they cannot completely drift apart from each other. A window too reflects light to some extent. A part of it is still functions as a mirror. Both manifest spiritualism and self realisation. Mirrors reflect the   past and present-“The path that I have traversed till now and where I stand today.” Windows give an insight into the future-“My future prospects   and establishing   credibility with myself.”Both are essential for an individual to prosper.”The whole purpose of education   is to turn mirrors into windows”  ,  by Sydney J .Harris ,thus remains a myth.