Banshee - Definition and Overview

This article describes the banshee of Irish and Scottish mythology. For other uses, see Banshee (disambiguation).

The banshee (ban'shē) in Irish mythology is derived from the Old Irish Gaelic "bean side" (lit. "fairy woman", from the Irish "bean", woman, and "side", being the tuiseal ginideach or possessive case of fairy). The modern Irish form "bean sí" means "spirit woman". They are remnants of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Traditionally some Irish families had a banshee associated with them, and the banshee might make an appearance before a death in the family. The banshee is particularly well known for a mournful cry or wail by which this death is heralded. Some traditions distinguish between seeing and hearing the banshee; hearing of this "banshee's wail" as predicting a death in the family, and seeing the banshee portents one's own death. In Irish mythology she is invariably dressed in white, and has long fair hair which she brushes with a silver comb. Other mythologies portray her as dressed in green or black with a gray cloak.

Banshees were common in Irish and Scottish folk stories such as those written down by Herminie T. Kavanagh. They enjoy the same mythical status in Ireland as fairies and leprechauns, though they are perhaps slightly more widely believed.

In other cultures, the banshee is also known as Bloody Mary Worth and La Llorona.

Banshees In Fiction

Banshees have portrayed in the U.S. television series Charmed, as demonic women who were once witches, who now feed on people's pain.

They were also mention briefly in the popular series of fantasy novels Harry Potter as the greatest fear of Seamus Finnegan when he faced the Boggart.