Ghosts
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Nattramn/Nattravn
The Nattramn is a mythical creature from Swedish, and Danish beliefs, related to Germanic Nachktrapp. Its name means “Night Raven” since it takes raven form. They’re believed to be a manifestation of the souls of abandoned children. They’re associated with those who die and sink into marshes. Sometimes they are believed to be murdered children whose bodies have been hidden. They resemble black birds or bird skeletons with a hole in their wings. It’s believed anyone who looks through the hole in their wings will die. They’re also sometimes thought to foretell evil. Hearing the Nattramn flying causes illness or blindness and causes death within a year, and they may…
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Utukku
The Utukku are spirits from Babylonian and Assyrian legends. They are formed when someone is murdered, and they cannot rest until they kill their murderers, or otherwise get vengeance. Some simply return from the grave of pure malicious intent and desire to feed on the living. They can be called forth with black magic or curses. They track down their killer and murder any human they encounter on the way. It’s thought they become stronger every time they kill and grow in their desire for power, sometimes choosing to remain on earth after finding their killer. They often take the form of a man or an animal. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan.…
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Humababa/Huwawa/Kumbaba
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Kazenbō
The Kazenbō are ghostly yokai from Japan whose name means “monk in the flames.” They’re believed to haunt Kyōto around the mountain Toribeyama which has been a gravesite for centuries. In the 10th century, it is said several monks offered themselves up to sacrifice by burning themselves alive. They hoped to achieve enlightenment by burning away their ties to the material world and did so with public viewing. It turned out that these monks were not pure enough for enlightenment, and as such their tormented spirits now appear wreathed in the flames symbolizing their sins. They bring no harm but may appear suddenly in front of travelers while writhing in…
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Imandwa
The Imandwa is a higher form of ghost from Bantu myth. They are referred to as the “kings of ghosts” and are typically seen as ancestors who want to be remembered by their living family. Typically they are known by name. They bring goodwill to those who honor their memories, but become spiteful or mischievous and move objects when ignored. They can take great energy to restrain and are sometimes even worshipped. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006. Werner, Alice. Myths and Legends of the Bantu. United Kingdom, Cass, 1968.
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Pontianak
The Pontianak is a form of ghost from Indonesia and Malaysia. They’re believed to be stillborn children who’ve risen from the grave. They take the form of grown women but make a cry like a lost child to lure in victims. After luring people in, they cut them open and consume their entrails. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006.
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Obake/Bakemono
The Obake is a ghostly form of yokai from Japan. Their name means “changed thing,” and they have many evil powers.They can change visibility and solidity at will. They may utilize deception, and while they are not always evil, female Obake are considered more evil. Female Obake may use seduction to enhance terror. Most Obake are humans who transform after death into physical manifestations of their nature in life and sometimes eat flesh. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Kindermorderinn
The Kindermorderinn is a form of ghost from Germany. It’s thought to be the angry spirit of children who were murdered by their mothers. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006. Ogden, Tom. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Ghosts and Hauntings. United States, DK Publishing, 1999.
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Yurei
The Yurei is a ghost from Japanese folklore. They are created when a person dies unexpectedly or is murdered or commits suicide. They return from death to enact revenge. They are often seen wearing white kimonos and headbands. This is due to the color white representing mourning. They also often have wild hair, solid upper bodies, fading lower bodies, and feet that are not visible. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006.
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Vodnik/Vodyanoi/Vodyanoy
The Vodnik is a creature from Slavic mythology. They are sometimes thought to be the ghost of a drowned child and they may take the form of a living child to lure other children in to meet the same fate. When the child approaches the deep or rapidly moving water, the Vodnik holds them down and drowns them. They may also take the form of a fish, a fish/human hybrid, a coin in the water, a floating log, a large fish, a fiery-eyed monster, a human-faced seal, a giant frog, or an old man with green hair and beard. They lurk at the bottom of bodies of water and drag…
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Utburd/Utböling/Utkasting
The Utburd is a form of ghost from Scandinavian mythology. They’re thought to be the ghosts of children left outside to die due to exposure. Sometimes the children are left out because they are deemed weak and deformed. Sometimes they’re viewed as identical to the Myling. They’re malicious creatures that seek vengeance. To stop a Utburd, their body must be found and properly buried on Holy ground and they could be stopped if you burn the remains. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Kvideland, Reimund, and Sehmsdorf, Henning K.. Scandinavian Folk Belief and Legend. United States, University of Minnesota…
