In societies before the invention and widespread use of mirrors, people likely had a more limited familiarity with their own faces compared to modern times. This limited self-recognition could have resulted from fewer opportunities to see their reflections, as reflective surfaces like still water or polished metal were not always available or accessible to everyone. As a result, people might have had a diminished emphasis on personal vanity and self-image, altering social norms around appearance.
The absence of mirrors might have led to a society less focused on individual appearance and more on collective identity or other traits such as character or skill. Personal grooming practices could have been more about utility than aesthetics, with beauty standards communicated primarily through social interactions and storytelling rather than personal observation.
Furthermore, social hierarchies and roles might have developed differently without the constant reminder of one’s appearance reflected back at them. It could have fostered a community where identity was formed based on relationships and personal achievements rather than physical self-reflection, potentially leading to more profound and varied interpersonal connections not primarily influenced by appearance.
