This　paper　addresses　the　critical　yet　understudied　topic　of　seismic　response　of　rocking-dominated　nonstructural　elements　(NSEs).　These　elements　encompass　a　diverse　range　from　museum　artifacts　to　critical　infrastructure　such　as　hospital　and　laboratory　equipment.　These　elements　exhibit　rocking　behavior　under　seismic　loads　due　to　absent　or　inadequate　connections　to　their　supports　and　material/geometric　aspects.　The　review　covers　early　studies　and　foundational　theories,　analytical　and　numerical　simulations　and　experimental　testing.　Insights　are　provided　regarding　seismic　design　and　seismic　protection　strategies.　Research　gaps　are　identified　and　future　directions　are　proposed　toward　the　enhancement　of　the　seismic　safety　of　NSEs　and　rocking　elements.　©　2025　The　Author(s).　Published　with　license　by　Taylor　&　Francis　Group,　LLC.