The concept of curses has been a part of human culture for centuries, with many believing that they can bring about misfortune, disaster, or even death.
From ancient civilizations to modern times, curses have been used to explain inexplicable events or to warn against wrongdoing. Here are 33 Haunting Curses That Changed Lives Forever, each with its own unique and fascinating story.
1. The Curse of the Hope Diamond
The Hope Diamond is said to be cursed, bringing misfortune to its owners. The curse allegedly originated in India, where the diamond was stolen from a temple. Since then, many of its owners have met with tragic ends, including bankruptcy, divorce, and even murder.
2. The Curse of the Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, is said to be cursed, leading to the rise of Nazi Germany and the outbreak of World War II.
The treaty's harsh terms and reparations imposed on Germany are believed to have contributed to the country's economic and social instability.
3. The Curse of the Pharaohs
In ancient Egypt, it was believed that pharaohs were gods, and that disturbing their tombs would bring about a terrible curse. Many archaeologists and explorers who have disturbed the tombs of pharaohs have met with mysterious deaths or illnesses.
4. The Curse of the Kennedys
The Kennedy family is said to be cursed, with many of its members meeting with tragic ends, including assassinations, plane crashes, and premature deaths.
The curse is believed to have originated with Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., who was said to have made a deal with the devil.
5. The Curse of the Billy Goat
The Chicago Cubs baseball team is said to be cursed by a Billy Goat, which was allegedly kicked out of a game in 1945. The curse is believed to have prevented the team from winning a World Series championship for over 100 years.
6. The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb
In 1922, the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun was discovered, and many of the archaeologists and explorers who entered the tomb met with mysterious deaths or illnesses.
The curse is believed to have originated with the ancient Egyptians, who placed a curse on the tomb to protect its treasures.
7. The Curse of the Amber Room
The Amber Room is a treasure that was looted by the Nazis during World War II. Many of those who handled the room's treasures met with tragic ends, including death, divorce, and financial ruin.
8. The Curse of the Poltergeist
The Poltergeist curse is believed to have originated with the filming of the movie "Poltergeist" in 1982. Many of the cast and crew members met with tragic ends, including the death of the child star, Heather O'Rourke.
9. The Curse of the Omen
The Omen curse is believed to have originated with the filming of the movie "The Omen" in 1976. Many of the cast and crew members met with tragic ends, including the death of the special effects expert, John Richardson.
10. The Curse of the Superman
The Superman curse is believed to have originated with the death of George Reeves, who played Superman in the 1950s. Many of the actors who have played Superman since then have met with tragic ends, including Christopher Reeve, who was paralyzed in a horse riding accident.
11. The Curse of the 27 Club
The 27 Club curse is believed to have originated with the death of Robert Johnson, a blues musician who died at the age of 27. Many famous musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain, have died at the age of 27, leading to speculation of a curse.
12. The Curse of the Romanovs
The Romanovs were the ruling family of Russia, and they are said to be cursed, leading to their downfall and execution in 1918.
The curse is believed to have originated with the family's involvement in the occult and their mistreatment of the Russian people.
13. The Curse of the Hapsburgs
The Hapsburgs were a royal family that ruled much of Europe for centuries. They are said to be cursed, leading to their downfall and the end of their rule.
The curse is believed to have originated with the family's involvement in the occult and their mistreatment of their subjects.
14. The Curse of the Knights Templar
The Knights Templar were a medieval military order that was accused of heresy and treason. They are said to be cursed, leading to their downfall and execution in the 14th century. The curse is believed to have originated with the Templars' alleged worship of the devil.
15. The Curse of the Mayans
The Mayans were an ancient civilization that was known for their advanced knowledge of astronomy and mathematics.
They are said to be cursed, leading to the decline of their civilization. The curse is believed to have originated with the Mayans' alleged prediction of the end of the world.
16. The Curse of the Aztecs
The Aztecs were an ancient civilization that was known for their human sacrifices and advanced knowledge of astronomy.
They are said to be cursed, leading to the decline of their civilization. The curse is believed to have originated with the Aztecs' alleged worship of the devil.
17. The Curse of the Incas
The Incas were an ancient civilization that was known for their advanced knowledge of engineering and architecture. They are said to be cursed, leading to the decline of their civilization. The curse is believed to have originated with the Incas' alleged worship of the sun god.
18. The Curse of the Chinese Emperor
The Chinese Emperor is said to be cursed, leading to the downfall of the Chinese monarchy. The curse is believed to have originated with the emperor's alleged involvement in the occult and his mistreatment of his subjects.
19. The Curse of the Japanese Emperor
The Japanese Emperor is said to be cursed, leading to the downfall of the Japanese monarchy. The curse is believed to have originated with the emperor's alleged involvement in the occult and his mistreatment of his subjects.
20. The Curse of the British Monarchy
The British Monarchy is said to be cursed, leading to the decline of the British Empire. The curse is believed to have originated with the monarchy's alleged involvement in the occult and their mistreatment of their subjects.
21. The Curse of the Delhi Durbar
The Delhi Durbar was a ceremony held in India in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of King George V. The ceremony is said to be cursed, leading to the decline of the British Empire in India. The curse is believed to have originated with the alleged mistreatment of the Indian people by the British.
22. The Curse of the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a famous monument in India that was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The monument is said to be cursed, leading to the decline of the Mughal Empire. The curse is believed to have originated with the emperor's alleged involvement in the occult.
23. The Curse of the Pyramids
The Pyramids of Egypt are said to be cursed, leading to the decline of the ancient Egyptian civilization. The curse is believed to have originated with the alleged worship of the devil by the ancient Egyptians.
24. The Curse of the Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is a burial ground for the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The valley is said to be cursed, leading to the decline of the ancient Egyptian civilization. The curse is believed to have originated with the alleged worship of the devil by the ancient Egyptians.
25. The Curse of the Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle is a region in the Atlantic Ocean that is said to be cursed, leading to the disappearance of many ships and planes. The curse is believed to have originated with the alleged supernatural forces that are said to exist in the region.
26. The Curse of the Winchester Mansion
The Winchester Mansion is a sprawling Victorian mansion in California that was built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the Winchester rifle heir.
The mansion is said to be cursed, with strange architectural features and mysterious rooms that were allegedly designed to confuse and trap spirits.
27. The Curse of the Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is a historic palace in England that was built for the Duke of Marlborough. The palace is said to be cursed, with many of its inhabitants meeting with tragic ends, including deaths, bankruptcies, and scandals.
28. The Curse of the Robert the Doll
Robert the Doll is a haunted doll that is said to be cursed, causing misfortune and tragedy to those who own it. The doll was once owned by a Key West artist named Robert Eugene Otto, who claimed that the doll was haunted by the spirit of a young boy.
29. The Curse of the Annabelle Doll
The Annabelle Doll is a haunted doll that is said to be cursed, causing terror and tragedy to those who own it. The doll was once owned by a student nurse named Donna, who claimed that the doll was haunted by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle.
30. The Curse of the Crying Boy Painting
The Crying Boy Painting is a haunted painting that is said to be cursed, causing fires and tragedies to those who own it. The painting depicts a young boy crying, and is believed to be haunted by the spirit of a young boy who died in a fire.
31. The Curse of the Dybbuk Box
The Dybbuk Box is a haunted box that is said to be cursed, causing terror and tragedy to those who own it. The box was once owned by a Holocaust survivor, who claimed that it was haunted by a malevolent spirit known as a dybbuk.
32. The Curse of the Bell Witch
The Bell Witch is a legendary ghost that is said to be cursed, causing terror and tragedy to the Bell family in Tennessee. The ghost was blamed for physical attacks on the family and their visitors, and was said to be the spirit of a woman named Kate Batts.
33. The Curse of the LaLaurie House
The LaLaurie House is a haunted mansion in New Orleans that was once owned by a wealthy socialite named Madame LaLaurie. The house is said to be cursed, with many of its inhabitants meeting with tragic ends, including fires, murders, and mysterious deaths.
Madame LaLaurie was known for her cruel treatment of slaves, and the house is believed to be haunted by their spirits.
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Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.