Obscure ghosts & spirits from global folklore

 The belief in ghosts and spirits is a near-universal human trait and it's generally grounded in a need to understand death, grief and the unexplainable. Explore some of these lesser-known supernatural beings here.

Monstrous & predatory spirits

These spirits of folklore actively hunt, harm or punish people. They're often described as tempting and deceptive females who lure those "poor, unsuspecting males" with their beauty before doing something terrible to them! Or in reality, they are often tales that developed to explain and excuse the bad behaviour of men.

Death spirits

These supernatural beings appear as a warning or omen of death, to take souls to the afterlife or to offer a form of protection. Either way, they're all associated with death.

black dog outside remote church

The Church Grim - death spirits of Germanic folklore

headless figure on horse moonlit night

The Dullahan - the Irish headless horseman that signals impending death

sad woman washes clothes in stream

Bean Nighe - a sad spirit of death in Scottish folklore

3 legged horse in graveyard under moon

The Helhest - a 3-legged ghost horse & Danish psychopomp

skeletal figure, long white hair, black wide brimmed hat

The Ankou - a local spirit & death omen in Breton folklore

vintage style image showing old book on a tablet

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Haunting spirits

These creepy entities exist to haunt humans, they're not luring them anywhere, they just pop up to torment specific individuals.

monstrous being looms over terrified man in bed

Nightmare spirits, demons & more sleep paralysis folklore from around the world

a creepy figure sits on top of a house

A Pisadeira, a lesser-known ghost figure from Brazil

Tragic & restless spirits

These wandering souls are usually tied to a specific place or event.

a figure in a white dress and veil standing in water

La Llorona - a tragic ghost in many American cultures

a cloaked figure holding candle entrance to dark tunnel

Fatlips - a small supernatural Scottish spirit

Mischievous spirits

These spirits aren't necessarily only about mischief but it's often an important part of their mythology.

tall blonde man, short blonde woman, Scottish highlands

The Glaistig & Gruagach - mischievous  domestic sprits of Celtic folklore