Ghosts
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Ubume
The Ubume is a yokai from Japanese myth. They’re believed to be the ghosts of women who have died in childbirth. They sometimes appear as ghostly women soaked in blood from the waist down. In some versions, the Ubume wanders around saying “be born” over and over. Many stories of the Ubume say they cannot rest until they find a guardian for their child. They may continue to watch over their child, and do not become violent unless their child is harmed. In some versions, they sit on bridges and ask people passing by to hold their child for a moment. When the person holds the child, the Ubume disappears,…
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Ekimmou/Edimmu/Ekimmu/Ekimu
The Ekkimou is a form of vampiric spirit from ancient Assyria. They’re thought to date back to 4000 b.c and are therefore among the oldest recorded myths. They’re ghost-like creatures, bitter and angry. It’s believed they are doomed to stalk the earth and desperately wish to be alive again. They attack and kill humans and may even stalk prey for years. Occasionally, they will leave for a time and return suddenly to taunt their prey with telekinetic abilities. Often they are created when burial procedures aren’t followed, families don’t give proper funerary offerings, or not enough funerary offerings, an improper burial, or simply not burying the body at all. It’s…
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Shade/Shadow/Umbra
The Shade are a form of ghost from theosophical beliefs. It was believed to be the spirit that remains after the body dies and hovers near where it was buried. After death, the Romans believed the spirit was separated into the Anima, which ascended to heaven, the Mane, which descended to the underworld, and the Shade that remained on earth. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Bake-Kujira
The Bake-Kujira is a Yokai from Japanese myth. They’re believed to be ghost whales that appear as whale skeletons. They seek revenge against those who eat whale meat and whale hunters. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Myling/Myring/Myrding/Psyling/Mylingar
The Myling is a form of ghost from Scandinavian folklore. The Myling are sometimes thought to be identical to the Utburd. Sometimes, they are believed to be children murdered by their mothers, while other times they are seen as the ghosts of unbaptized children. They haunt remote areas and attack travelers, often being heard calling out for their mothers. They can take the form of living or dead people, and may imitate the speech, laughter, and singing of a person. Often, they jump on the backs of their victims and demand to be carried to the closest graveyard. As the Myling is carried, it slowly gets heavier and heavier. They…
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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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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.
