Cursed objects lore: Using the idea of curses in Supernatural

In Supernatural Season 3, Episode 3, the series used a cursed object as the ‘monster of the week.’ Here’s a look at the lore used in the series and the lore from real life.

Many horror movies and fantasy shows will use the idea of curses and cursed objects. It wasn’t a surprise when the idea of a cursed object was finally used in Supernatural Season 3, Episode 3. In this episode, it was a rabbit’s foot, but there were multiple curse boxes to help lock other cursed items inside. The show would also bring up another cursed item two episodes later.

There are many legends of items that have been cursed over the years. Creepy dolls, mirrors, pendants, vases and more have been claimed to be cursed over the years. Here’s a look at the use of curses in Supernatural and the real lore they’re based on.

Cursed objects in Supernatural

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The rabbit’s foot isn’t the first instance of a curse mentioned or used in the series. In the very first season, Sam brings up the fact that the Bloody Mary legend has roots in curses and that mirrors can be cursed. Dean has brought up that objects can be cursed and learned that the land a home development was built upon was cursed by the Native Americans, which leads to the use of the rabbit’s foot. Neither is completely surprised to find out that the rabbit’s foot is cursed and that the item was locked away in a curse box.

The curses have their individual lore. In “Bad Day at Black Rock,” the rabbit’s foot needs to have been conjured under the full moon, on Friday the 13th and in a cemetery. Cemeteries, full moons, and Friday the 13ths are all rooted in legend and dark mythology, so it’s not surprising they were all mentioned.

A specific ritual was needed to bring an end to the curse, breaking it and destroying the object completely.

SUPERNATURAL — “Bad Day at Black Rock” — Photo by: Marcel Williams/The CW — Acquired via CW TV PR /

Curse lore in real life

In life, cursed objects are rooted in the supernatural. Many believed that witches, gods, and spirits could hex or curse an item or a person. The curse was a wish that was granted and would cause harm to a person. This certainly links to the idea of the rabbit’s foot: good luck that turns deathly sour.

There is curse lore in every single culture. Native American curses are among the most popular, but there is also the use of European and voodoo curses. Many of these will be on land or individuals (and their descendants) to cause hardship and misfortune. The Kennedy Curse is one like this. Many believe that there is a curse on the Kennedy family, as so many of the American family died young.

In some cases, the curse is on an individual but leads to misfortune for unsuspecting individuals afterward, which is the case for the rabbit’s foot in “A Bad Day at Black Rock.”

Curse objects themselves are linked to items being stolen. The original owners put a curse on the objects, so that those who stole would be affected negatively. It’s possible that this idea was used in part for Supernatural Season 3, Episode 3, since the rabbit’s foot was stolen. It’s more of a just desserts type of curse for the victim to gain some sort of payback.

Next: Why monster-of-the-week still works for Supernatural episodes

What do you know of cursed objects lore? Which legends and objects have you heard about? Share in the comments below.

Supernatural Season 14 premieres on Oct. 11 at 8/7c on The CW. Follow SPN Hunters on Twitter to get you through Hellatus.

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