What is a Banshee?

A banshee is a mythical figure in Irish folklore. She is often depicted as a female spirit or fairy, known for her mournful wails and cries. According to legend, the banshee's wailing is said to be an omen or harbinger of death, especially for someone of Irish descent. Her appearance and behavior vary in different stories, but she is commonly described as a woman dressed in white or gray, with long, flowing hair.
The banshee is believed to be connected to certain ancient Irish families or clans, and her wailing is said to be heard when a member of one of these families is about to pass away. This is often seen as a form of supernatural warning, alerting the family to the impending death.
Originally meaning “woman of the hills”, bean sídhe, where the name “Banshee” is derived, has come to mean “woman of the fairies.”
Banshee’s are commonly associated with Ireland, but the concept of a banshee like spirit is also present in other Celtic regions as well as other parts of the world.
There are numerous stories and legends surrounding banshees - this video also includes a few from Ireland.
While the Banshee is typically associated with Ireland, there are also similar figures in other Celtic regions.
In Scotland, there is a similar figure known as the "bean nighe", which translates to "washer woman." Like the Banshee, she is often seen washing the bloodstained clothes of those about to die.
In Welsh folklore, there is a figure known as "Gwrach y Rhibyn" or "the hag of the mist." Similar to the Banshee, she is often seen as an omen of death.
The Isle of Man has its own version of the Banshee known as the "Caillagh ny Groamagh" or "the Old Woman of the Gloom." She is associated with winter and is often seen as a harbinger of death.
In Breton folklore, there is a similar entity known as the "kannerez noz" which means "night-singer." Like the Banshee, she is said to wail and sing mournfully to signal an impending death.
In German culture, they have an entity known as the "Washer women" and in France as "Dames blanches."
These spirits share some common characteristics with the Banshee, such as their association with death and their role as omens or messengers.
However, they may have distinct features and names that reflect the specific cultural and regional context of each Celtic area.
While not completely exhaustive in all of the various cultures, hopefully now you know what a Banshee is and some of the cultures where they are more prevalent as well as some of the stories surrounding them in Celtic folklore.
Also, forgive me for any mispronunciations of banshee variants in different cultures.
Some images c/o: Michael1010, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Music c/o: Music by Alesia Davina from Pixabay

[@seanjustg5425]

Love these intriguing histories...💚Thanks for sharing🙏🏽👻🖤

[@theceltichistorychannel]

Thanks for watching!

[@seanjustg5425]

@@theceltichistorychannel was instantly drawn to Celtic traditions and learnings when I began acting on my wonderings...Partial due to a one week good time with Irish and the likes surrounding me in Las Vegas...My kinda people is putting it lightly...High spirited, no bullshitting, honesty...💯

[@feralbluee]

Finally, a decent channel that talks about Irish legends - thanks :)
the woman washing the bloody clothes is also a legend in Scotland, only she always wears a green dress - she is the washer and the Banshee combined. (Laith Wolf’s channel) 🧝🏼‍♀️😮

[@theceltichistorychannel]

Greatly appreciate the feedback!

[@francisfischer7620]

My Aunt told us these stories. This is the first I've heard of it elsewhere.

[@theceltichistorychannel]

Thanks for watching and sharing this. There were a lot of stories that I researched, so hopefully, I chose a few meaningful ones!