This is a part of the legend surrounding the Banshee. It is said that if a Banshee is seen, she would quickly disappear into a cloud of mist while making a sound that is comparable to the sound of a bird flapping its wings. As a result, they were condemned to a life as banshees as their punishment. These ladies were known as " keeners," and since they took alcoholic beverages as payment, they were considered to be sinners.
Origins of the Banshee MythĪccording to historians, the earliest accounts of the Banshee date back to the eighth century and were based on a ritual in which ladies sang a mournful song to express their condolences over the passing of a loved one. In this guise, she is known as the bean-nighe ( washing woman).Īlthough not always seen, the banshee's mourning call is heard, usually at night when someone is about to die. She may also appear as a washer-woman and is seen apparently washing the blood-stained clothes of those who are about to die. These represent the triple aspects of the Celtic goddess of war and death, namely Badhbh, Macha, and Mor-Rioghain.) She usually wears either a grey, hooded cloak or the winding sheet or grave robe of the unshriven dead. Whatever her origins, the banshe e chiefly appears in one of three guises: a young woman, a stately matron, or a raddled old hag. Intermarriage has since extended this select list. According to tradition, the banshee can only cry for five major Irish families: the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Connors, the O'Gradys, and the Kavanaghs. What happens if you hear a banshee scream? In this guise, the banshee ghost is known as the bean-nighe (washing woman).Īlthough not always seen, her mourning call is heard, usually at night when someone is about to die. These represent the triple aspects of the Celtic goddess of war and death, namely Badhbh, Macha, and Mor-Rioghain.) The banshee usually wears either a grey, hooded cloak or the winding sheet or grave robe of the unshriven dead. According to tradition, the banshee creature can only cry for five major Irish families: the O’Neills, the O’Briens, the O’Connors, the O’Gradys, and the Kavanaghs. The Banshee, pronounced bean-sidhe is the woman of the fairies and may be an ancestral spirit appointed to forewarn members of certain ancient Irish families of their time of death.
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