9 Bad-Luck Objects You Should Not Keep at Home

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - A number of traditional beliefs and feng shui principles hold that certain objects in the home are believed to attract negative energy or bad luck. While some of these items are practical to keep away from the home, the stories behind them are enough to send shivers down one’s spine. Here is a list of items regarded as unlucky, as cited by Reader’s Digest:

1. An Empty Rocking Chair

Is the chair moving recently? No, that’s just the wind… right? Just imagining an old rocking chair creaking, slowly moving back and forth in a dark, quiet room, may be enough to make those who believe in superstition understand why they prefer to keep their chairs on the floor.

In Irish folklore, an empty rocking chair is believed to be an “invitation” for evil spirits to sit. If the chair moves by itself, it is taken as a sign that an incorporeal being occupies the home.

2. Green-Coloured Walls

Beliefs about green paint have historical roots. In the 18th century, synthetic green pigment was made using arsenic compounds which are toxic. Green walls at that time could even release dangerous gas when damp, causing illness and even death.

Although the arsenic recipe was widely published in 1822 and warned the public about its hazards, some homeowners who believe in superstition still regard green walls as a bad omen today.

3. A Broken or Stopped Clock

In feng shui, broken items are believed to symbolise energy that is stalling. A stopped clock is taken as a bad omen because it is associated with a life that does not move forward. Even the ticking of a broken clock is believed to signal death in the home.

4. Cactus

Cacti and other spiky plants are said to bring tension and negative energy into the home. Feng shui views thorny plants as capable of affecting relationships among household members. Roses, however, are considered an exception as they are thought to still carry positive energy.

5. Unmade Bed

There is a belief that leaving a bed unmade can lead to restless sleep. Moreover, if someone is disturbed while making the bed, they are said to have difficulty sleeping at night.

6. Open Umbrella Indoors

An unwritten prohibition heard in Indonesia as well. Opening an umbrella indoors is believed to be a sign of disrespect to the house’s protective spirits, as if their protection is not sufficient.

7. Dead or Wilted Plants

Dead plants are thought to bring “dead energy” into the home. In addition to negative aura, wilted plants make the home look unattractive and uncared for.

8. Taxidermy Displays

Taxidermy or preserved animals are also believed to carry bad energy because they are associated with death. Displays such as a deer head can make guests feel uncomfortable.

9. Outdated Calendars

Expired calendars are said to bring bad luck because they are seen as symbols of time that is held back. In feng shui, using an ill-timed time indicator is believed to hinder prosperity and shorten life.

Although many of these beliefs are myths and traditional culture, many people still believe them today. Some see the prohibitions as more about comfort, cleanliness, and the psychology of the home’s inhabitants.