Not everything old or mysterious is a treasure. Sometimes, things hold energy that just… feels off. You ever walk into a thrift store, pick something up, and instantly get chills? That’s your gut telling you something isn’t right. Objects can absorb the energy of their past—especially if that past was dark, violent, or full of pain.
Throughout history, there have been stories of cursed items—things that bring misfortune, sickness, nightmares, or even worse. These aren’t just spooky legends or ghost stories people tell around a campfire. In many cases, people have genuinely believed their lives were turned upside down after coming into contact with certain objects. Whether or not you believe in curses, the energy behind some items is heavy and not something you’d want to mess with.
This list isn’t about scaring you—it’s about being aware. If you’re someone who collects antiques, shops secondhand, or just likes weird old stuff (same), it’s smart to know what to avoid. Not everything with a cool backstory is meant to be taken home.
So let’s dive in and look at 13 cursed objects that you should seriously think twice about before bringing into your space. Trust your instincts—and maybe light a little protection incense while you’re reading, just in case.
1. Dybbuk Boxes
These wooden wine cabinets are said to contain evil spirits from Jewish folklore—specifically, a restless demon called a Dybbuk. People who’ve owned one report everything from nightmares and strange smells to pure chaos in their lives. Some have even said they heard scratching from inside the box or felt like they were being watched.
They may look like just another old relic, but these boxes are believed to trap tortured souls, angry and desperate to get out. Opening one could unleash all that built-up energy, and it doesn’t go away easily. Cleansing or sealing the box doesn’t always work, either.
If you ever come across a Dybbuk box at a flea market or online (yes, people actually sell them), don’t let curiosity get the better of you. Some things are better left sealed and far, far away from your living room.
2. Cursed Mirrors
Mirrors are portals in many spiritual traditions. They reflect more than just our faces—they can bounce around energy, and sometimes that energy gets stuck. A cursed mirror is usually tied to some traumatic event, like a death or a tragedy, and it’s said to hold onto the spirits or emotions from that time.
People with cursed mirrors often report strange shadows in the glass, odd reflections, or the feeling that someone is watching them through it. In some cases, mirrors have even cracked for no reason, or made people feel sick after looking into them.
If you buy an antique mirror, especially one from an estate sale or a very old house, make sure to cleanse it with intention. Better yet—just don’t buy one if it gives you even the slightest weird vibe. It’s not worth bringing that energy into your home.
3. Haunted Dolls
They may look innocent (or creepy-cute), but haunted dolls are no joke. These are often tied to a spirit—usually a child or a soul that’s trapped. Some are known to move on their own, blink, or whisper. Yeah. Whisper.
There are entire museums dedicated to dolls that people refused to keep in their homes because of all the chaos they caused—things like nightmares, unexplained scratches, electronics going haywire, or feelings of deep dread around the doll.
Even if you’re into creepy collectibles, be careful. Dolls carry energy easily, especially if they were loved (or mistreated) in life. If one ever gives you that gut-drop feeling, don’t ignore it. Just let it stay wherever it is.
4. Antique Clocks
Old clocks are beautiful, sure—but some seem to tick with more than just time. A cursed or haunted clock may stop at a certain hour (often linked to a death), tick erratically, or chime at weird hours even when it’s not wound.
Some people believe these clocks are spiritually “stuck” in a tragic moment, forever repeating it. Owners have experienced everything from sleep disturbances to a deep sense of unease just from being around one.
Before buying any timepiece that’s over 100 years old, pause. Ask yourself where it came from, who owned it, and why it’s still working after all this time. Sometimes, it’s not just gears keeping it going.
5. Ouija Boards (Used or Antique)
We’re not here to tell you how to live your life, but bringing an old, used Ouija board into your home is just asking for spiritual chaos. These boards are meant to open communication lines with the other side—and if it’s been used before, you don’t know what was invited through.
People have reported intense hauntings, mood shifts, sudden illness, and weird electrical problems after bringing one home—even without using it. The energy clings, and unless you know how to properly close and cleanse a board, it stays open.
There’s a difference between buying a new board for fun and snagging one from a dusty old attic. If it looks ancient and well-loved… walk away. Fast.
6. Funeral or Graveyard Souvenirs
Taking anything from a cemetery or funeral is considered wildly disrespectful and spiritually dangerous. Some people think it’s cool to grab dirt, stones, or trinkets as “souvenirs,” but that kind of energy tends to follow you home—and it’s not the good kind.
Spirits are territorial. Even if they’re not angry, they don’t always like being disturbed. Bringing something like that into your house is like inviting a stranger to move in without asking.
If you find an item that seems like it came from a graveyard—especially if it randomly shows up—return it or bury it. And if you’re visiting a cemetery, take only memories and photos. Nothing more.
7. Cursed Jewelry
Jewelry holds energy really well—it’s worn close to the body, passed down through families, and often tied to big emotional events. Cursed pieces can carry all kinds of baggage: heartbreak, death, jealousy, or greed.
Some of the most infamous cursed objects in the world are jewels, like the Hope Diamond. People linked to it have faced illness, financial ruin, or sudden accidents. Even smaller, unknown pieces can stir up energy that doesn’t belong to you.
Always cleanse vintage jewelry, and if a piece gives you bad dreams or strange vibes, trust your gut. Beauty isn’t worth bad luck.
8. Paintings with “Eyes” That Follow You
Ever look at a painting and feel like it’s staring back? Yeah—those aren’t just tricks of the eye. Some paintings, especially portraits, are said to hold pieces of the artist’s soul, or even the spirit of the person depicted.
There are stories of cursed paintings causing house fires, misfortune, or deep depression. Even people who’ve owned them temporarily report feeling like they’re being watched, or that the energy in their home has shifted.
If you feel uneasy every time you walk past a piece of art, don’t ignore that. Trust your body’s response. Sometimes, the energy in a painting just doesn’t belong in your space.
9. Cursed Statues or Figurines
Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Some figurines—especially religious, ceremonial, or deity-based ones—aren’t meant to be handled casually.
Many are made to be worshipped or respected in specific ways. Bringing them into your home without understanding their background can throw off the energy in your space. Some people report things falling off shelves, sudden illness, or even aggressive dreams after picking one up.
Always ask yourself: Who made this? Why? And what is it supposed to be used for? If you don’t know, don’t risk it.
10. Old Wedding Dresses
This might sound odd, but wedding dresses hold a lot of emotion. Joy, love, yes—but also grief, heartbreak, betrayal. If a marriage ended in tragedy or pain, that energy doesn’t just vanish—it can stay in the fabric.
Some people have bought vintage dresses and felt overwhelmed by sadness or started having strange dreams. There have even been tales of people seeing ghostly brides wandering their homes after bringing one in.
If you find a vintage gown that makes your heart drop instead of sing, let it go. Not every beautiful thing has a beautiful past.
11. Mysterious Locked Boxes
If you come across a sealed, locked, or nailed-shut box—especially one with no key or explanation—don’t open it. These kinds of boxes are sometimes sealed on purpose to trap or contain something spiritual or cursed.
Opening one without knowing what’s inside can release that energy into your space. People have opened boxes like this and experienced sudden bad luck, relationship trouble, or health issues.
If you already have one and you feel like something’s off, it’s best to respectfully return it, bury it, or ask someone experienced in energy work for help.
12. Cursed Books or Grimoires
Old spellbooks or mysterious journals might feel magical, but not all of them are safe. Some are said to be tied to darker forces—written in strange languages or filled with spells meant to harm, control, or summon.
People who’ve found or opened cursed books report hearing voices, seeing shadows, or having bizarre events start happening in their lives. Even just reading certain passages out loud can shift the energy around you.
If a book gives you chills, makes you feel sick, or just seems “off,” don’t bring it home. Words are powerful. So are intentions.
13. Inherited Items from Toxic People
Not everything has to be ancient to be cursed. Sometimes, an item passed down from someone toxic—like an abuser, manipulator, or just deeply negative person—can carry emotional weight that sticks.
Maybe it’s a watch, a photo album, or a piece of furniture. Even if it looks harmless, if it reminds you of pain or makes your mood shift every time you see it, it’s holding energy you don’t need.
Letting go of something from the past can be freeing. It’s okay to thank it for the lesson and release it. You deserve to live in a space that feels like peace—not like the past.
Protect Your Peace
Your home is your sacred space. It’s where you rest, recharge, and feel safe. You don’t need anything—no matter how cool or vintage or rare—that brings in stress, fear, or weird vibes. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Energy is real, and it clings. So before bringing anything new into your home, especially secondhand, take a moment. Cleanse it if you can. Ask yourself how it makes you feel. And remember—nothing is worth sacrificing your peace. You have the power to protect your space, your spirit, and your energy. Keep it light, keep it safe.
