Throughout history, certain objects have been shrouded in mystery and misfortune. Whether through tragic deaths, unexplainable phenomena, or eerie coincidences, these artifacts have earned reputations as cursed. Here are eight of the most infamous cursed objects—and the chilling stories behind them.

1. The Hope Diamond (1666 – Present)

Curse: Misfortune, violent deaths
Owners of this 45.52-carat blue diamond have met tragic fates—from beheadings during the French Revolution to financial ruin. Stolen from an Indian temple (allegedly from a statue of the goddess Sita), it’s said to carry a priest’s curse. Even the Smithsonian, where it now resides, reports staff mishaps.

2. Annabelle the Doll (1970 – Present)

Curse: Possession, attacks
Made famous by The Conjuring, this Raggedy Ann doll allegedly moves on its own, writes messages, and even attacks people. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren locked it in a glass case with a warning: “Do not open.”

3. The Dybbuk Box (Early 1900s – Present)

Curse: Nightmares, sickness
This wine cabinet, supposedly containing a malicious dybbuk (Jewish spirit), was sold on eBay in 2003. The buyer reported seizures, nightmares, and a house fire. Subsequent owners claim similar horrors.

4. The Crying Boy Painting (1950s – Present)

Curse: House fires
A mass-produced painting of a tearful child became infamous in the 1980s when British firefighters reported finding it untouched in burned homes. Some believe it causes fires; others say it survives them unnaturally.

5. The Busby Stoop Chair (1702 – Present)

Curse: Death by hanging
This English tavern chair is tied to Thomas Busby, a murderer hanged in 1702. Legend says anyone who sits in it dies shortly after—including WWII airmen and a deliveryman. It now hangs from a museum ceiling, untouched.

6. The Black Prince’s Ruby (1367 – Present)

Curse: Battlefield deaths
This 170-carat “ruby” (actually a spinel) was worn by kings in battle. Its owners—including Henry V and Napoleon III—faced defeat, exile, or assassination. It now sits in the British Crown Jewels, still feared.

7. Robert the Doll (Early 1900s – Present)

Curse: Bad luck, paranormal activity
A boy’s gift from a vengeful servant, this doll allegedly moves, giggles, and curses those who disrespect it. Visitors to its Key West museum must ask permission before photographing it—or risk misfortune.

8. The Hands Resist Him Painting (1972 – Present)

Curse: Nightmares, illness
Dubbed the “eBay Haunted Painting,” this artwork of a boy and doll reportedly causes viewers to faint, vomit, or see the figures move. Its original owner claimed the subjects left the canvas at night.

Why Do We Believe in Curses?

Curses thrive at the intersection of fear and fascination. Whether psychological (the nocebo effect) or supernatural, these stories remind us that some mysteries defy explanation.