Buzz
Before you decide to acquire or even approach one of the globe's most renowned relics, it's essential to conduct thorough research. Many of these items, despite their captivating beauty and intrigue, carry an unfortunate reputation—being cursed. If you're skeptical about the supernatural, you might choose to take the risk. However, if you prefer to play it safe, explore the potential consequences that a cursed object could bring to its possessor.
10. Maori Warrior Masks
The Maori, an indigenous group from New Zealand, traditionally crafted masks and statues before engaging in battle. According to their beliefs, the soul of any warrior who perished in combat would remain trapped within these masks. While the curse is harmless to men, it is said to bring misfortune or harm to pregnant or menstruating women who come into contact with the masks. A museum in England even issued a warning to women about the potential dangers of the curse.
9. Koh-i-Noor Diamond
The Koh-i-Noor Diamond, weighing an astonishing 109 carats, carries a notorious curse for male owners. While it bestows good fortune upon women, men who possess it have faced turmoil and tragedy since it was allegedly taken from the deity Krishna. For instance, Sher Shah Suri, a mighty Indian emperor who defeated Prince Humayun, met his end in a cannon explosion after acquiring the diamond. His son, Jalal Khan, was later killed by his own brother-in-law.
8. Terra Cotta Army
In 1974, seven Chinese farmers stumbled upon an extraordinary archaeological find—a buried army of terra cotta soldiers. While the discovery brought wealth to the nation, the farmers who unearthed it faced a series of misfortunes. Three of them died prematurely within a few decades, one by suicide, while the others were left struggling in poverty, selling figurines of the army and burdened by debt and health issues.
7. Crying Boy Painting
The Crying Boy is a widely recognized painting print often displayed in English households. Starting in the 1980s, fires began breaking out in homes where the painting was hung. Remarkably, while the surrounding areas were destroyed, the painting itself remained unscathed. This phenomenon has led many to believe that owning this artwork could potentially invite disaster.
6. Delhi Purple Sapphire
The curse of the Delhi Purple Sapphire came to prominence when a London museum curator discovered the gemstone accompanied by a note detailing its dark history. Since its theft from an Indian temple in the mid-1800s, the stone has been linked to illness and financial ruin for its owners. For example, author Edward Heron-Allen experienced such a streak of misfortune while possessing the gem that he attempted to discard it in a canal. However, it was returned to him after being found by a dredger who recognized it. Heron-Allen eventually donated it to a museum, stipulating that it remain untouched for three years following his death.
5. Hope Diamond
The Hope Diamond, now housed in the Smithsonian Museum, was once infamous for its curse. Originally stolen by a priest who faced torture for his crime, the diamond later belonged to French gem trader Jean Baptiste Tavernier, who allegedly met his end at the hands of a pack of wild dogs. Numerous other owners also met untimely deaths, often through murder or tragic circumstances.
4. Uluru Rocks
Uluru, a massive and awe-inspiring rock formation in the Australian outback, attracts countless visitors annually. Although removing rocks from the site is prohibited, some tourists still take pieces of Uluru home. Believed to be sacred Aboriginal land, those who remove these rocks are said to be cursed with bad luck. Consequently, many people return the rocks by mail, often accompanied by letters expressing regret.
3. Iceman
The remains of a man believed to be over 5,000 years old were found in The Alps in 1991. Over the next 13 years, seven individuals connected to the discovery passed away, many under sudden and unnatural circumstances. One discoverer died in a car crash while en route to deliver a lecture about the artifact, and another researcher perished in an avalanche shortly after. Additional deaths included a researcher diagnosed with a blood disorder soon after the discovery and another who fell from a cliff.
2. Blarney Stone Rocks
Kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland is thought to bring good fortune, but taking a piece of it is said to invite a curse of bad luck. Those who remove fragments often report experiencing depression, job loss, and financial troubles. Similar to those who regret taking rocks from Uluru, many people return pieces of the Blarney Stone by mail within weeks or months of realizing the curse.
1. Black Orlov
The Black Orlov Diamond, known as the Eye of Brahma, was allegedly stolen from a Hindu temple by a monk. Over time, it came into the possession of several women, many of whom tragically ended their own lives. At least two of these women jumped from high-rise buildings. After the diamond was acquired by a New York jeweler, the curse is believed to have been lifted, offering safety to future owners but providing no solace to those who previously fell victim to its misfortune.
