I'm reading a book about a guy who moves from America to Ireland to work on a book he's busy writing about Ireland and Irish Folklore and Mythology... My question is, if there is such a thing as a Banshee does it only exist in Ireland. What are the chances that it would exist in other parts of the world? And why are certain myths confined to certain countries only? Whats stopping the myth from travelling...?
2006-06-13 20:40:22 · 17 answers · asked by Purple.Space.Cadette 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
There is quite specific article in Wikipedia on the Banshee:
"Traditionally, the banshee can only cry for five great Gaelic families: the O'Gradys, the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Connors, and the Kavanaghs. These families had a fairy woman associated with them, who would make an appearance after a death in the family to sing this lament. Tales recount how, when the family member had died far away then the appearance or, in some tales, the sound of the fairy keener, might be the first intimation of the death."
Presumably, if over the years these families had disseminated over the world, there would be no reason why the tales - and the Banshee - wouldn't follow them! Perhaps you have an Irish ancestor from one of those clans...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banshee
2006-06-14 13:16:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
one of the reasons that the idea of the banshee doesnt' travel very far is because in irish mythology the banshee only haunts those of noble bloodline that are near death. so it makes sence that those irish men and women that came to america where not the wealthy decendents from the royals of old there for do not warrent a banshee. In irish myth there is a case of a banshee haunting a non nobleman but it was also hinted at that he was the bastard son of the king.
2006-06-14 01:58:02 · answer #2 · answered by aidan_odempsey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to some Irish myths, a banshee exists for each and every branch of an Irish family, no matter how diluted the heritage, no matter what part of the world that branch lives. She guards the members of that family from death, and if she fails, she lets out a sorrowful wail that is undetectable to human ears, but if they do happen to hear it, it's awful. And the family has to be Milesian Irish(last name or ancestral last name begins with O' or Mc).
2006-06-15 11:24:52 · answer #3 · answered by dancingqueen378 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the existence of a banshee is not restricted to Ireland.the chances are quite good considering there are many claims of banshees here in india.well i think what stops these myths from spreading is the scientific and logical way of thinking but if people do believe in the supernatural they are considered foolish and stupid.Also these myths are dispelled since nobody wants to think that banshees exist and therefore these myths just turn into absurd rumours.Hope this helps!!!
2006-06-13 21:12:56 · answer #4 · answered by rahul_richard3 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, the chances are pretty darn good, although in other versions, she's not this pale weepy chick whose moaning means imminent death. Some places, she's a bird; some she's a force of nature; some, she's Brad Pitt.
Myths don't travel beyond cultures. Myths are cultures. Because there are archetypes that exist in all cultures, there are similarities in the myths of many countries.
Banshee is uniquely Gaelic. Her name has meaning. You will find her doppleganger in many formerly Gaelic lands, and her cousins and cohorts all over the world, wherever dreams survive.
2006-06-13 23:40:33 · answer #5 · answered by Grendle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not there has been reports of "spirits" that are either crying, wailing, or singing all over america. In the Hollywood Forever Cemetary there is a spirit of a dead actress from the early 40's named Virginia Rappe. It has been reported that people have heard the crying of a woman by her gravesite. Some have even seen her.
2006-06-23 07:46:07 · answer #6 · answered by ldyrhiannon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belief. If those folktales were told here they would gather the belief power of the listener and teller and could be able to manifest here.
Doesnt a (or is it 'the') Banshee wash the armor of someone fated to die soon? I know that Her call foretells doom to come in the number of 3.
2006-06-13 21:12:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Banshee-Bean Sidhe. Belong to Scottish and Irish mythology. Hence, you find references to them wherever the Scotch and the Irish settled.
2006-06-19 07:18:17 · answer #8 · answered by Jenny W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the fact that certain tales originated in certain parts of the world is why its like that, but you would be surprised at how some of them do travel to other parts of the world.
2006-06-24 07:58:38 · answer #9 · answered by addybme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi Meow! How are you?. No, I never talked about a ghost or perchance a banshee dancing in the evening. even though it will be effective dance in the moonlight with the guy you imagine is particular and that this second never ends. reliable success! =) Greetings! =)
2016-10-14 03:49:10 · answer #10 · answered by dmitriev 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋