9 common decor items believed to attract bad luck

For centuries, legends from around the world have warned that certain objects can bring misfortune into the home. Whether rooted in ancient beliefs, superstition, or feng shui principles, these items are thought to invite negative energy, hinder prosperity, or even attract unwanted spirits. If you’re someone who likes to play it safe when it comes to luck, you may want to think twice before keeping these common decorations around

Irish folklore holds that an empty rocking chair is like a waiting guest for unwelcome spirits—and if it rocks on its own, it means one has already taken the seat.

Displaying preserved animals or scenes of ruin—like shipwrecks or battles—can weigh a home down with stagnant energy and feels especially eerie in spaces tied to rest and comfort.

Feng shui warns that letting a calendar—or clock—fall behind misaligns your sense of time and can block prosperity. Keeping your time-tellers current keeps energy flowing in step with life’s pace.

A broken mirror isn’t just an eyesore; it’s been feared since ancient times. The cracking of a mirror is seen to fracture the soul’s reflection, trapping seven years of bad luck.

Folklore suggests that neglecting to smooth your sheets can invite restlessness or a sleepless night. Some traditions even warn that interruptions during bed-making can disturb your peace more than the rumpled sheets themselves.

In feng shui, any broken item signals neglected energy, but a clock that’s stopped is especially grim. It symbolizes life getting stuck, and some beliefs say that if it ticks unexpectedly, it’s an ominous sign of loss.

Black birds carry weight in myths. Crows and ravens symbolize death or impending misfortune in many Western traditions, often appearing as symbolic messengers of ill fate.

The “eye” patterns on peacock feathers have been linked to the "evil eye" in Mediterranean lore, saying they can bring misfortune or target singles with bad luck. Interestingly, some Eastern traditions view them as symbols of protection and good energy.

In feng shui, visible sharp edges, whether knife-like art or horned fixtures—are known as “poison arrows.” They disrupt the harmony of a space, fostering stress and even affecting health and relationships.