Ghostly apparitions are commonly thought to be spirits who haven't been given a proper burial.
The spirit world is a mysterious realm that takes many forms in diverse cultures and locations, but its existence seems to persist around the world. America alone has countless myths about the existence of these spirits. These chilling legends paint an intriguing picture of what might await us on the other side.
What Are Ghosts?
Ghosts have been a part of various cultures for a long time, and such legends have many common threads that may help us understand the nature of their mysterious realm.
Mesopotamia
In ancient Mesopotamia, people believed that an otherworldly imprint was created at the time of death. Known as a gidim, this ghostly image had the memories and personality traits of the departed. The gidim was supposed to travel to the underworld, but if the person hadn't been given a proper burial, it could escape this fate and haunt the living.
Ancient Greece
The ancient Greeks believed that the goddesses Melinoe and Hecate oversaw the spirits of the dead in the underworld. Most spirits resided there peacefully, but three categories of spirits were prone to returning to haunt the living:
- Ataphoi: Spirits of people who did not receive a proper burial.
- Aoroi: Spirits of people who died too young.
- Biaiothanatoi: Spirits of people who suffered a violent death.
Ancient Egypt
If you've ever seen "The Mummy," you know that the ancient Egyptians have some serious mythology surrounding the dead, death, and the underworld. In ancient Egypt, it was believed that each person consisted of several parts:
- Ka: Physical body.
- Ren: Name.
- Ba: Spirit.
Often depicted hovering over mummified bodies, the Ba looked like a bird with a human head. If the deceased was unhappy or believed they had been wronged, their spirit could return to torment the living.
Medieval Society
The medieval church thought of ghosts as souls trapped in purgatory. Known as revenants, these souls needed the living to help them find eternal peace. However, according to the Bible, it's not easy to identify true ghosts, as many of these spirits are actually demons. Christians are encouraged to test all spirits to determine whether they're really ghosts or demons.
In medieval times, people believed a ghost might remain for one of several reasons:
- They didn't receive proper burial rites.
- They had family who hadn't had a chance to say goodbye.
- They committed suicide.
- They died in childbirth.
- They had unfinished business.
- They died before they could confess and receive absolution for their sins.
African Cultures
Spirits and demons are important in African folklore and beliefs, and in many African cultures, death is seen as a transition rather than an end. Ancestral spirits, known as djinn, play an active role in the realm of the living, guiding and protecting their descendants.
African cultures also believe in demons or evil spirits that can possess, haunt, and even harm the living by causing misfortune or illness. Some African societies hold rituals to appease such angry spirits with food and drink.
Famous Ghost Stories
While some notable haunted houses are the result of untimely deaths or unfinished business, others seem quite inexplicable. Here are some of the best-known myths about American hauntings.
The Stanley Hotel
One of the most famous haunts in America, the Stanley Hotel has stood in Estes Park, Colorado, for over 100 years. Stephen King and his wife spent the night there as the only guests during the last night of the season, inspiring him to write "The Shining." King stayed in room 217, which has reportedly been haunted for decades by the spirit of a dedicated maid who worked at the hotel for more than 30 years.
Room 217 isn't the only part of the hotel that's haunted. The hotel is full of ghostly legends. Flora, the wife of the hotel's original owner, hangs out around the piano, playing a few tunes. Ghostly children laugh and run about the halls on the fourth floor. Photos people take in the hotel often feature specters that they didn't see at the time.
The Whaley House
San Diego's Whaley House, recognized as America's most haunted house, was constructed on the site of a former gallows. Criminals, such as Jim Robinson, were executed on this site, and although Thomas Whaley was present at Robinson's execution, he didn't hesitate to build his home there. Whaley later reported hearing footsteps and a man grunting, and he believed this to be Robinson.
The Whaley family has also reportedly remained in the house after their deaths. Visitors claim to smell Thomas' cigars and his wife's lavender perfume. The couple's child died of scarlet fever at just 18 months old, and his giggles and footsteps can also be heard around the house. For the chance to experience such hauntings, you can go on a guided tour around the property.
Captain Joseph White
In 1830, Captain Joseph White was stabbed and bludgeoned to death in his bed in Salem, Massachusetts. His murder was supposedly the inspiration for Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart." Although the captain had a chest of gold doubloons and other precious items in his home, nothing was disturbed. In the end, it was discovered that a distant relative by marriage had orchestrated the murder, believing his wife stood to inherit a significant sum.
Captain White is believed to haunt his former home, the Gardner-Pingree House, and apparitions often appear in photos of the property. A woman has been spotted in these mysterious photos as well, but her identity remains unknown.
Do you want to learn more about spirits, ghosts, and the mysterious realm where they reside? Psychics who practice mediumship communicate with the dead, offering intriguing insights into the other side. So, consider consulting one of our Psychics to learn more.
