A Ouija board is a flat board marked with the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0-9, the words “yes” and “no”, and various symbols. It is used in sances to communicate with the dead. One person places their fingers on a planchette, a small heart-shaped piece of wood or plastic, and asks a question. The planchette is then said to move across the board, spelling out the answer to the question.
Ouija boards have been around for centuries, and their popularity has waxed and waned over the years. In the early 1900s, Ouija boards were a popular parlor game, but their popularity declined during the mid-20th century due to concerns about their association with the occult. In recent years, Ouija boards have seen a resurgence in popularity, due in part to their portrayal in popular culture.