The Banshee – Ireland’s Herald of Death
Popular culture has often associated the Grim Reaper with the impending demise of unsuspecting victims. As a harbinger of the end of mortality, the Grim Reaper, often simply called Death, is typically portrayed as a malevolent spirit, wearing flowing black robes, and carrying a scythe. Yet, Death isn’t the only portent of doom. Ireland has had its own similar lore for centuries—the banshee.
Anyone who’s seen the 1959 Disney movie Darby O-Gill and the Little People knows of Ireland’s forerunner to the lonely grave. However, the banshee was by no means made up by Walt and his team of Imagineers. Instead, the banshee has been a part of published Irish folklore since the 14th century and is believed to have been an oral tradition dating back much further.
Unlike the Grim Reaper who has been depicted as only appearing specifically to the people who will die, when the banshee appears to a person the encounter does not mean that the observer has a date with the grave. Rather, someone in their family will die, but not necessarily immediately. Who that person will be isn’t revealed by the banshee, either, and only time will tell who the deceased will be. It is sometimes believed that the banshee will only foreshadow death when there will be a tragedy, not death from natural causes.
Physically, the banshee, who is always described as a woman, has been attributed with different characteristics in different accounts. In some cases, she is described as adorned in a dress, sometimes green, silver, black, or white, possibly with a veil or covering over her face. When visible, her eyes are red from incessant weeping. Sometimes, she has been headless; in those cases, she is said to carry a bowl full of blood. The banshee’s age varies from young to old, as does her size, which has been described as tall by some, yet short—as in 1 foot to 4 feet—by others.
The difference in the physical appearance of this Irish lady of death has been attributed to the belief that all banshees may be different, and that each one may uniquely follow one specific family. Thus, each sighting would be of a different banshee who, of course, would be unique in appearance from others. Imagine having your own family spirit... creepy!
If her physical appearance isn’t enough to unnerve even the most hardened horror film fans, her wailing could very well push them over the edge. The malevolent version of the banshee is described as having a chilling wail capable of severely frightening anyone that hears it. As we’ve seen with many descriptions of the banshee, however, there’s another version—a happier version—of the banshee’s vocals. In this case, the spirit portends death by singing loving, beautiful songs.
The good news for most of humanity is that we will never encounter a banshee. Lore says that banshees only appear to traditional Irish families. So, unless you fall into that category, you shouldn’t have to worry about seeing a banshee, even if you one day visit the Emerald Isle. Regardless, the banshee is a formidable spirit at the top of the list of frightening spooks. One has to admit, too, that she might just be creepier than good ol’ Grim.