The mystery of ghosts never fails to fascinate us
Ghosts have always sparked our curiosity, no matter where we’re from.
These stories of spirits who haven’t found peace have been part of human history for centuries. Every culture has its own tales of ghosts, from ancient legends passed down through generations to modern-day ghost hunting shows that keep us glued to our screens.
But why do we find these stories so fascinating?
Maybe it’s the mystery that surrounds them, the thrill of the unknown — or perhaps it’s the hope that there’s something more beyond our own lives.
The historical perspective
In ancient times, people from different parts of the world had their own ideas about ghosts and spirits.
These beliefs were often tied to their understanding of life, death, and the afterlife.
Egypt
In Egypt, the dead were believed to live in an afterlife very similar to the real world.
Egyptians spent a lot of time and resources preparing for this second life, building elaborate tombs and filling them with goods.
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- DK (Author)
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They thought that the spirit, or “ka,” needed these things to continue living.
They also believed in the importance of the body’s preservation through mummification, as it was thought the spirit would return to the body, making its upkeep essential for the spirit’s well-being in the afterlife.
Greece
The Greeks had a more somber view of the afterlife.
They believed in the existence of a soul that would leave the body after death and proceed to the underworld.
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- 90 Pages - 05/17/2012 (Publication Date)
The tales of ghosts in Greek mythology often involve spirits that are unhappy or unfulfilled, sometimes returning to the living world because they had unfinished business or because they were seeking justice or revenge.
These stories were used to explain the mysteries of life and death and the presence of unexplained phenomena.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=092S-r_uG50
Rome
Romans shared similar beliefs with the Greeks about the afterlife and the spirit world.
They believed in the concept of spirits of the dead returning to the living world, but they also had their own unique practices and stories.
- Ogden, Daniel (Author)
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- 416 Pages - 04/24/2009 (Publication Date) - Oxford University Press (Publisher)
The Lemuria festival is an example of this. It was an event where Romans would perform rituals to exorcise unwanted ghosts from their homes.
This involved walking barefoot, throwing beans over their shoulders, and chanting specific phrases to keep ghosts at bay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk38Q29j0sQ
Famous hauntings around the world
Ghosts stories and hauntings are not just things we talk about during Halloween. They are tales and experiences shared worldwide, with some places being famous for their spooky histories.
The Tower of London in England is one of the most famous. It’s not just an old castle — it’s a place where many people, including royals, met their tragic ends centuries ago.
Visitors and workers have reported seeing the ghosts of Anne Boleyn, who was beheaded there in 1536, and other former prisoners wandering the Tower’s cold stone corridors.
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- 128 Pages - 07/06/2017 (Publication Date) - Walker Books Ltd (Publisher)
Moving over to the United States, the Stanley Hotel in Colorado is another hotspot for ghost enthusiasts. This hotel inspired Stephen King to write The Shining after he stayed there.
Guests have reported strange noises, music coming from empty rooms, and the laughter of children in the halls. Some even claim to have seen ghosts in early 20th-century clothing walking around.
- Pittman, Rebecca F. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 440 Pages - 07/09/2015 (Publication Date) - Wonderland Productions (Publisher)
Down in the south of the U.S., the Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana is often said to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Built in 1796, it’s rumored to be on top of an ancient Native American burial ground.
The plantation is home to at least 12 ghosts. The most famous spirit is that of a former slave named Chloe, who was supposedly caught eavesdropping on her owners and punished, leading her to take revenge.
- The Myrtles Plantation
- Kermeen, Frances (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 336 Pages - 02/01/2005 (Publication Date) - Warner Books (Publisher)
Personal encounters and ghost stories
When it comes to ghost stories, many of us have either heard one from a friend or experienced something unexplainable ourselves.
These personal encounters bring the topic of ghosts closer to home, making us wonder about the unknown.
Comment
byu/andrebotelho from discussion
inAskReddit
I think I saw a ghost and idk how to feel about it
byu/BreadFancy9088 inParanormalEncounters
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byu/AdonisBlackwood from discussion
inAskReddit
Ghosts you’ve met
Have you ever experienced something you couldn’t explain? We’d love to hear about it!
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