History’s Most Haunting Curses: A Halloween Deep Dive

From Egyptian tombs to cursed diamonds, tales of curses have captured human imagination for centuries. This Halloween, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most infamous curses—unexplained events, haunted places, and mysterious objects that some believe carry dark, supernatural consequences.

1. The Pharaohs’ Curse

The legend of the Pharaoh’s Curse began with the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. The deaths of several people involved in the excavation—including Lord Carnarvon, whose passing was eerily accompanied by a blackout and his dog’s sudden death—sparked the idea that disturbing the tomb had awakened a powerful curse. Despite scientific explanations, the legend endures, painting a spooky backdrop to ancient Egypt.

2. The Crying Boy Painting

In the 1980s, the mass-produced Crying Boy painting became infamous in the UK after stories emerged of homes burning to the ground with the painting left mysteriously untouched. Firefighters reportedly saw the same pattern in multiple incidents, leading many to discard or destroy the artwork out of fear. While some argue the painting’s fire-resistant varnish explains the phenomenon, the story of this cursed object remains one of modern-day superstition.

3. The Kennedy Family Curse

Dubbed “American royalty,” the Kennedy family has experienced a series of tragic and untimely deaths, including the assassinations of JFK and RFK, and JFK Jr.'s plane crash. Whether the result of risky lives or an ill-fated curse, the ongoing misfortunes surrounding the Kennedy family have fueled decades of speculation.

4. The Curse of Ötzi the Iceman

Since Ötzi the Iceman’s 1991 discovery, a number of those involved with the ancient mummy have died under unusual circumstances, such as Helmut Simon, who found the mummy and later died in a snowstorm, and Konrad Spindler, who passed away shortly after examining the remains. The unsettling similarities between Ötzi’s fate and these deaths have led some to believe in the power of a very ancient curse.

5. The Koh-i-Noor Diamond

One of the world’s largest diamonds, the Koh-i-Noor, is believed to bring severe misfortune or death to any man who wears it. Due to its dark reputation, only women in the British royal family have worn the stone since it was taken from India. The diamond’s long, turbulent history and the fates of its former male owners have solidified its status as a cursed gem.

6. Curses from Different Cultures

Curses have varied significance around the world, often intertwined with spirituality and social values. From voodoo curses in the Caribbean to ancestor curses in China and Africa, curses serve as tools of both supernatural protection and punishment. Some, like the evil eye in the Mediterranean, are even believed to occur by accident, bringing bad luck to those who receive it.

7. Cursed Objects in Folklore and Literature

Cursed items have a special place in storytelling, with examples like the Monkey’s Paw, a wish-granting object with tragic consequences, and the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings, which corrupts anyone who possesses it. These cursed items reveal humanity’s fascination with the balance between power and peril.

8. The Poltergeist Curse

The Poltergeist film series is surrounded by a legendary curse. Several cast and crew members, including Dominique Dunne and Heather O’Rourke, died under strange circumstances. Adding to the film’s lore, it’s rumored that real skeletons were used on set, leading many to believe that the spirits of the dead cursed the movie.

9. Famous Sports Curses

Sports have their share of curses, including the Curse of the Billy Goat on the Chicago Cubs and the Curse of the Bambino on the Boston Red Sox, which both held these teams back for decades. The Socceroos’ curse on Australia’s soccer team and the Madden NFL Curse bring humor and superstition to the world of athletics.

10. Location-Based Curses

Certain places are believed to carry powerful curses. The Bermuda Triangle is notorious for unexplained disappearances, while Brunswick Springs in Vermont, once sacred to Native Americans, supposedly dooms those who attempt to profit from its waters. Sites like Gettysburg and Salem are haunted by ghosts and curses tied to their tragic histories.

11. Self-Inflicted Curses and Superstitions

Curses aren’t always directed from one person to another; some can be invited upon oneself. Breaking a mirror is thought to bring seven years of bad luck, and walking under ladders is believed to bring chaos. Some believe they can even “jinx” themselves by speaking confidently about the future, inadvertently inviting bad fortune.

12. Halloween’s Scariest and Spookiest Curses

For a Halloween-worthy fright, legends like La Llorona from Mexican folklore, the Wendigo from Algonquin lore, and the Bell Witch from Tennessee add to the tapestry of terrifying curses. The Hawaiian Curse of Pele warns visitors not to take lava rocks from the islands—or else face terrible misfortune until they are returned.

Ready for more chilling tales and in-depth details? Tune in to This Podcast is a Secret for the full story behind each of these curses. Discover the eerie intersections between history and the supernatural—if you dare. Listen now!