Back in Time Today
Some ghosts are just fleeting whispers in the dark. Others become legends—haunting castles, battlefields, and entire cultures for generations. These 20 spirits are so famous, their tales have survived wars, dynasties, and even the skeptical eyes of modern times. Are they real? That’s for you to decide…
1. The Flying Dutchman
This legendary ghost ship sails the seas for eternity, doomed never to make port. Sightings from sailors date back to the 1600s, and the tale inspired Wagner’s opera and a certain cursed ship in Pirates of the Caribbean.
The Flying Dutchman is a symbol of nautical superstition, appearing as a warning or omen.
Its crew, bound by a mysterious curse, is said to be visible as glowing figures during storms. This maritime specter fascinates and terrifies those who dare to venture into its haunted waters.
2. The White Lady of Aokigahara
The Suicide Forest at Mount Fuji has long been associated with restless spirits. The White Lady—dressed in funeral kimono—is said to lure people deeper into the woods, never to return.
Her presence is both a warning and a mystery, rooted in the forest’s tragic history.
Visitors claim to feel an overwhelming sense of sorrow and lost hope, as if the forest itself mourns alongside its spectral inhabitants.
3. Bloody Mary
Chant her name three times in front of a mirror and she appears—or so the legend goes. Bloody Mary has become a rite of passage for brave children, but her roots may trace back to Queen Mary I of England or even earlier witch lore.
The legend varies, with some saying she reveals your future and others claiming she could steal your soul.
This chilling tale is told worldwide, echoing in the halls of schools and scaring siblings at sleepovers. Her mysterious origin and terrifying presence make Bloody Mary a staple in ghostly lore.
4. The Bell Witch
In early 1800s Tennessee, the Bell family was tormented by a spirit who spoke, physically attacked, and even predicted deaths. It’s one of the most documented hauntings in American folklore.
The spirit, known as the Bell Witch, could mimic voices and disrupt daily life with eerie precision.
Her supernatural abilities and malevolent presence created a legend that endures to this day. The mysterious Bell Witch remains a chilling reminder of the unseen forces that can lurk in our world.
5. La Llorona
“The Weeping Woman” is a chilling spirit who drowned her children and now roams near rivers crying for them. Her tale has terrified generations across Latin America and inspired countless films and ghost tours.
La Llorona’s cries are said to echo through the night, a haunting reminder of her eternal grief.
Her story serves as both a cautionary tale and a ghostly horror, embodying themes of loss, regret, and the unending search for redemption.
6. The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall
Often considered the most famous ghost photo ever taken, the Brown Lady is said to haunt Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England. Believed to be Lady Dorothy Walpole, her apparition—dressed in brown—has been reported for nearly 300 years.
The legend became famous after a photograph of her was published in 1936. With her empty eyes and mysterious presence, she continues to captivate visitors and ghost hunters alike.
The Brown Lady’s story is one of betrayal and timeless sorrow, making her a tragic figure whose spectral presence refuses to fade.
7. Anne Boleyn’s Ghost
Henry VIII’s ill-fated queen is said to haunt the Tower of London—and several other locations—with her head tucked under her arm. Her tragic death made her a symbol of injustice, and her ghost won’t let history forget.
Anne Boleyn’s spirit is reported to roam the dark halls, a figure of grace and sadness.
Her story of love, betrayal, and execution continues to fascinate historians and ghost enthusiasts, keeping her spirit alive through the centuries.
8. The Ghost of Banquo
Immortalized in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Banquo’s ghost is said to have haunted the real Macbeth. The legend has lived on for centuries, blending historical intrigue with theatrical terror.
Banquo’s spectral presence serves as a reminder of guilt and ambition’s dark consequences.
His appearances in literature and lore continue to inspire, leaving a haunting mark on both stage and history. The ghost of Banquo remains a testament to the power of conscience.
9. Resurrection Mary
Chicago’s most famous phantom is a hitchhiking spirit who vanishes from the backseat before the car even stops. She’s always headed to the same dance hall—just like the night she died in the 1930s.
Resurrection Mary embodies the tragic romanticism of a life cut short.
Her story is a chilling reminder of how love and loss can linger long after death, captivating those who encounter her spectral presence on the road.
10. The Black-Eyed Children
Though a more recent phenomenon, the stories of black-eyed kids knocking on doors and asking to be let in have gained terrifying traction. Are they ghosts, aliens—or something worse?
Their unsettling appearances evoke primal fears of innocence lost and unknown dangers.
These children, with their haunting requests and dark eyes, continue to intrigue and terrify those who encounter them in the shadows of night.
11. The Lady in Grey of Westminster Abbey
A solemn figure seen walking the cloisters, this ghost is said to be a noblewoman executed unjustly. Tourists and clergy alike have claimed to see her mournful presence near the Poet’s Corner.
Her ethereal appearance adds an air of mystery and melancholy to the abbey’s stone halls.
The Lady in Grey’s story is one of tragedy and injustice, her spirit forever tied to the history and grandeur of Westminster Abbey.
12. The Headless Horseman
Originating in German folklore, the tale was popularized in America by Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The headless specter remains one of the most enduring figures in ghost lore.
This haunting figure rides through the night, a chilling embodiment of fear and legend.
His story has captivated imaginations for centuries, making the Headless Horseman a symbol of the macabre and mysterious.
13. The Myrtles Plantation Ghost
Said to be one of America’s most haunted homes, the Myrtles Plantation is reportedly haunted by a former enslaved woman named Chloe—and possibly a dozen other spirits.
Chloe’s ghost is often seen as a tragic reminder of a dark past.
Visitors report unsettling experiences and eerie sounds, as if the house itself remembers the lives that passed through its doors. The Myrtles Plantation remains a haunting testament to history and its restless spirits.
14. The White Lady of Union Cemetery
Connecticut’s famous ghost is often seen floating above tombstones in a diaphanous white dress. Even famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren called her one of the most compelling apparitions ever caught on film.
The White Lady’s ethereal presence and mysterious origins have made her a captivating figure in ghost lore.
Her story continues to intrigue those who visit the cemetery, a spectral embodiment of the unknown and the unexplained.
15. Slit-Mouthed Woman
Known as Kuchisake-onna, this ghost asks children if they think she’s pretty—before revealing a grotesque, gaping smile. Run or lie, and you still might not survive.
Her tale is both a cautionary story and a chilling mystery.
The Slit-Mouthed Woman’s presence in urban legends underscores the blend of fear and fascination that such stories invoke, haunting the imagination with her terrifying visage.
16. The Grey Man of Pawleys Island
This friendly ghost is less malevolent—he appears before hurricanes to warn locals. Those who see him say their homes are mysteriously spared from storm damage.
The Grey Man’s presence brings with it an aura of protection and mystery.
His story offers a unique blend of ghostly intervention and coastal folklore, making him both a guardian spirit and a beloved legend among the residents of Pawleys Island.
17. The Ghost of Abraham Lincoln
Numerous presidents and guests—including Winston Churchill—have claimed to see Honest Abe’s ghost in the White House. He’s most often spotted in the Lincoln Bedroom.
Lincoln’s ghostly presence is seen as a symbol of wisdom and leadership, watching over his beloved country.
His story continues to inspire and intrigue, a spectral link between past and present in the nation’s most famous residence.
18. The Phantom Monk of Pontefract Castle
This hulking, shadowy figure in robes reportedly haunts one of Britain’s most active poltergeist locations, 30 East Drive. His legend is tied to a history of executions and restless energy.
The Phantom Monk’s presence is both a menace and a mystery, embodying the dark past of the castle.
His story adds a layer of supernatural intrigue to the history of Pontefract, making it a focal point for paranormal enthusiasts.
19. The Girl in the Bathroom
Whether it’s Japan’s Hanako-san or a variation elsewhere, the idea of a ghost girl haunting school bathrooms has made the jump from urban myth to global nightmare fuel.
Her presence is a chilling reminder of childhood fears and the unknown lurking in familiar places.
The Girl in the Bathroom embodies the intersection of innocence and terror, haunting imaginations around the world.
20. The Ghost of Marie Laveau
The legendary voodoo queen is said to still roam St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, with people leaving offerings to gain her favor—or avoid her wrath.
Marie Laveau’s ghostly presence is both revered and feared, a commanding figure in New Orleans folklore.
Her story blends the mystical and historical, making her an enduring symbol of the city’s vibrant, haunted culture.