Curse facts for kids
A curse is like a strong wish for something bad to happen to someone. It's often said when someone is angry or upset. Many people believe that curses can bring bad luck or cause harm through magic. However, nobody truly knows if curses really work or if they just happen by chance.
In many fairy tales, you might read about princes who are cursed by witches. For example, a prince might be turned into a beast or a frog (like the famous Frog Prince story). These curses often happen because of something the prince did wrong. But usually, a princess comes along to save them and break the spell.
Contents
What Are Curses?
A curse is a type of magical spell or a strong spoken wish. It is meant to cause trouble, harm, or bad luck for a person, place, or object. People have believed in curses for thousands of years, and they appear in many different cultures and stories around the world.
Why Do People Use Curses?
People might use curses for different reasons. Sometimes, it's because they feel very angry or jealous of someone. They might wish for that person to fail or have problems. In ancient times, curses were also used to protect valuable things, like treasures or tombs, from thieves.
Ancient Curses
Long ago, in places like Ancient Rome, people used special "curse tablets." These were often small pieces of lead or clay where someone would write down a curse against a person they disliked. They would then throw these tablets into rivers or wells, hoping the curse would travel to the person it was meant for.
In Ancient Greece, people also used curse tablets, often to get an advantage in legal trials or competitions. They would write down their wishes for their opponents to fail.
Curses in Stories and Legends
Curses are very popular in books, movies, and legends. They add excitement and drama to a story.
Famous Cursed Objects
Sometimes, objects are said to be cursed. For example, some old jewels or artifacts are believed to bring bad luck to anyone who owns them. This often happens in horror stories or adventure tales.
Breaking a Curse
In many stories, there's a way to break a curse. This often involves a special act of kindness, true love, or a heroic quest. The idea is that good deeds can overcome evil magic.
Curses vs. Blessings
The opposite of a curse is a blessing. A blessing is a wish for good things to happen to someone. It's meant to bring happiness, good luck, and protection, rather than harm.
Images for kids
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A woman performs a cursing ritual (Hokusai)
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Ancient Greek curse written on a lead sheet, 4th century BC, Kerameikos Archaeological Museum, Athens.
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Limestone donation-stele from Mendes, 3rd Intermediate Period, Dynasty XXII. The inscription celebrates a donation of land to an Egyptian temple, and places a curse on anyone who would misuse or appropriate the land.
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Shimei curses David, 1860 woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld
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Ancient Greek cursed object against enemies in a trial, written on a lead figurine put in a lead box, 420-410 BC, Kerameikos Archaeological Museum, Athens.
See also
In Spanish: Maldición para niños
