ADVERTISEMENT

The internet is notorious for providing shelter for all kinds of content. That means that even the most miscellaneous things find a place here.

Cursed images are one such internet phenomenon that, if you’ve ever spent more time here, you must know pretty well. The term refers to images that are somewhat unsettling because there is something not quite right about them. However, what makes them even more interesting is that we often cannot pinpoint exactly why they are disturbing.

This Instagram page “Cursed.image5” is dedicated to sharing exactly that – bizarre, yet totally captivating visuals from different contexts. The result is an entertaining gallery right below that you can enjoy with caution! Psst! More cursed images can be found in our previous features here and here.

#2

Funny-Cursed-Images

cursed.image5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
liv-peetersoo_1 avatar
Liv
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait a minute- Edit: I said 3 words and it got 137 upvotes. Well thank you lol

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

If you’ve ever been on the internet, you have most probably encountered a “cursed image.” The term refers to pictures that are seen as uncomfortable to look at or even disturbing for the viewer. This can happen for various reasons, from poor quality to the content, which appears to be lacking common sense or is totally abnormal.

According to Know Your Meme, “Images of this or similar nature are sometimes seen as the visual equivalent to CreepyPasta. They have inspired several popular social media accounts devoted to posting various cursed images. The opposite of cursed images are referred to as 'blessed,' while images that are both cursed and blessed are referred to as 'blursed,'” the website explains.

ADVERTISEMENT

The question remains what makes a cursed image “cursed.” Is it in the nature of an image, or rather is it due to a viewer’s interpretation that can create scenarios and meanings which were not initially present in the same image? It’s true that our imagination tends to deceive us, but the internet is just as notorious in blurring boundaries between real and fiction.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lina Survila, a connoisseur of internet culture and the creator of metaverse news newsletter The Wearables Daily, argues that cursed images have become a certain alternative for memes.

“Now, it's used to visually show how absurd the situation can be. Something unpleasant to watch can be anything from a baby without a hat in cold winter to just a moment of bizarre surroundings,” she told Bored Panda in an interview. She added that “in real life, it looked and felt just so normal.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Moreover, Survila argues that cursed images are an interesting phenomenon because they illustrate that sometimes when you're looking from a different perspective, the whole thing can look like a different story.

Having said that, “cursed images can also be damaging if used in not the right context. It could help to illustrate a false story or even propaganda,” Survila explained. “Without any explanation, images can circulate on the internet, hyping people with very wrong intentions.”

“My advice would be, don't always assume that everything you see is true. I guess this is why those images are so popular after all - because, in the right context, they can do a good job at misleading people,” she concluded.

#13

Funny-Cursed-Images

cursed.image5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
suzannetilson avatar
Suzanne Tilson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

" Not to be that guy, but... technically it's not drunk driving without a car, officers"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Funny-Cursed-Images

cursed.image5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
dragonfly16 avatar
Nordic And Sneezing
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could be a cover for a cookbook called Cooked rice for a mob and 1000 ways to use it

verydarkmatter avatar
VeryDarkMatter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

me: Its not enough rice.. * add some more * ... not enough .. * add even more *... Oh... o_o

sethmarsh avatar
Seth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Expansion bears remembering. Reminds me of a plumbing post where someone tried flushing kitty litter.

lissmerriweather avatar
Bonesko
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like to cook a bunch of rice and freeze them. It's quick meals when you're tired

jiayipenguk avatar
Fish and cheese
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a photo similar to this! It’s a block of rice in curry. Like, a literal block.

aryanaryan avatar
Arian Arian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any kind of grain I try to make without the portion packaging, immediately tries to take over the world.

ldaul521 avatar
Linda Daulby
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would do our entire family for sure well the ones that eat it 🤣

ltdn_org avatar
Karen Grace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Who needs directions, I'll just eyeball it" Must be first time cooking rice if they didn't know it doubles in size.

nazdapokmov avatar
Nazda Pokmov
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How did you sneak into my kitchen for that shot of how I don't make rice? SMH

pascale_pierloot avatar
Pascale Pierloot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First Rice Crispies ever...grandma is about to forget all about the stove. 🙇

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#19

Funny-Cursed-Images

"I mean he could literally name his son Rick and call him pickle rick, he doesn't have to ruin his life in the process"

cursed.image5 Report

#21

Funny-Cursed-Images

cursed.image5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
suzannetilson avatar
Suzanne Tilson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I want three scoops of void, because it's black,like my soul......with sprinkles

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Funny-Cursed-Images

"There's orange juice in my Ice"

cursed.image5 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#30

Funny-Cursed-Images

cursed.image5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
chrissydormeier avatar
Nunya Business
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Killing three birds with one stone . . . Jeep's washed, clothes clean, bath taken.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Funny-Cursed-Images

cursed.image5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
warrierchithra_1 avatar
Artsy Bookworm
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Insert the spider man meme. (I don't know how to post pictures in the comments)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

Funny-Cursed-Images

cursed.image5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
passion86 avatar
Castles
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cmon everyone has done a diy long straw at some time in their lives!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Funny-Cursed-Images

cursed.image5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
jihana avatar
Jihana
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am not sure...I think I might have had a stroke looking at this.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

Funny-Cursed-Images

cursed.image5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
liv-peetersoo_1 avatar
Liv
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t really think anyone would steal those shoes in the first place-

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#50

Funny-Cursed-Images

cursed.image5 Report

Note: this post originally had 89 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.