In one of the internet’s latest viral obsessions, an ancient bronze artifact on display at China’s Luoyang Museum has sparked wild theories — and it’s all thanks to its uncanny resemblance to Labubu, the mischievous collectible toy beloved by millions around the world.
Labubu — The Viral Toy That’s Now Time Traveling?
For those unfamiliar, Labubu is a fluffy, rabbit-like character with pointy ears, sharp teeth, and a wide, slightly sinister grin. First introduced in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, the playful creature has become a global sensation through Pop Mart, the Beijing-based toy giant that’s turned Labubu into a must-have collectible. The toys are sold in blind boxes — retailing around $27.99 — making them even more addictive for fans eager to score rare versions.
Last year alone, Labubu toys raked in an eye-popping $419 million in sales, according to reports — that’s nearly 80% of the entire global art market.
Ancient Bronze or Ancient Labubu?
But how does this all connect to ancient Chinese art?
The artifact in question is a ceremonial bronze vessel called a danglu, dating back to China’s Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770–476 B.C.E.). Originally designed as ornate armor for horses, this small object’s proportions — large head, small body, and even pointy ears — bear a striking resemblance to Labubu’s signature look.
Photos of the piece, currently on display at Luoyang Museum through August, immediately went viral on social media. Fans couldn’t help but joke that this was Labubu’s “ancient ancestor,” jokingly suggesting that the popular toy has been around far longer than anyone realized.
Wait… Is Labubu Actually a Demon?
Of course, no internet phenomenon would be complete without a bizarre conspiracy theory. Some corners of social media have compared Labubu not just to ancient bronzes, but to Pazuzu — the ancient Mesopotamian demon best known as the villain in The Exorcist.
The theory, originally sparked by an AI-generated image, claims that Labubu’s toothy grin and ears resemble Pazuzu’s terrifying form. Never mind the fact that real ancient depictions of Pazuzu look nothing like Labubu. Still, memes and jokes warning that Labubu dolls are “possessed” have flooded TikTok and Facebook, with some overly serious commenters even calling for toy “exorcisms.”
Ironically, Pazuzu was considered both a bringer of misfortune and a protective spirit, especially for women and children — hardly the stuff of viral toy warnings.
From Toy Shelves to Art World Stardom
Regardless of conspiracies, Labubu’s popularity isn’t slowing down.
Celebrities like BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, and even David Beckham have been spotted with Labubu toys. At Art Basel 2025, a limited-edition Labubu figurine — designed as an art handler holding a level tool — sold out instantly at $245 apiece.
Just last month, a rare four-foot-tall Labubu fetched a whopping $174,000 at auction in Beijing, contributing to a $520,000 sale total from a single Labubu auction.
Beyond toys, Kasing Lung’s paintings have also entered the fine art market, with his works fetching over $100,000 at auction. He’s currently represented by Takashi Murakami’s Kaikai Kiki Gallery, further cementing his place in the pop-art-meets-collectible-toy world.
