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

The banshee (pronounced /ˈbænʃiː/) is a creature in Irish mythology, the word being derived from the Old Irish ben síde, modern Irish bean sídhe or bean sí, "fairy woman" (bean, woman, and sidhe, being the tuiseal ginideach or possessive case of 'fairy'). 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. In these tales hearing the banshee's wail is said to predict a death in the family and seeing the banshee portents one's own death.

In Irish mythology banshees are frequently dressed in white and often have long, fair hair which they brush with a silver comb, a detail scholar Patricia Lysaght attributes to confusion with local mermaid myths. Other legends portray them 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.

Banshees in fiction

Banshees have been portrayed in variety of fictional works, typically as spirits that cause deaths instead of just predicting them.

Terry Pratchett's Discworld series features banshees with leathery wings and two hearts. Banshees are also mentioned briefly in the popular Harry Potter series of fantasy novels as the greatest fear of Seamus Finnegan when he faced the boggart. In the television series Charmed they appeared as demonic women, formerly witches, who now feed on people's pain.

In the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, banshees are the ghosts of evil elven women. Banshees also make an appearance in the Warcraft series of computer games as units in the armies of the undead.

References

• The Banshee: The Irish Death Messenger by Patricia Lysaght, 1986, Roberts Rinehart Publishers. [ISBN 1-57098-138-8]
• An Encyclopedia of Fairies by Katharine Briggs, 1976, Pantheon Books. [ISBN 0-394-73467-X]