The banshee, from the Irish bean sí ("woman of the síde" or "woman of the fairy mounds") is a feminine spirit in Irish mythology, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the Otherworld.
In legend, a banshee is a fairy woman who begins to wail if someone is about to die. In Scottish mythology the creature is called the bean sìth or bean-nighe and is seen washing the blood stained clothes or armour of those who are about to die.
Traditionally, when a person died a woman would sing a lament at the funeral.
Banshees are frequently described as dressed in white or grey, often
having long, pale hair which they brush with a silver comb, a detail
scholar Patricia Lysaght attributes to confusion with local mermaid myths.
The banshee can appear in a variety of guises. Most often she appears as
an ugly, frightening hag, but she can also appear as a stunningly
beautiful woman of any age that suits her. In some tales, the figure who
first appears to be a "banshee" is later revealed to be the Irish
battle goddess, the Morrígan.
Although not always seen, her mourning call is heard, usually at night when someone is about to die and usually around woods.
Banshees In books
The myth of the banshess is not that popular in books. Even though the more famous of this creatures are described in the Soul Screamer Series, by Rachel Vincent.
This books are about a normal schoolgirl. She possesses a strange power. She doesn't see
dead people, but she can sense when somebody nearby is about to die:
when that happens she is compelled to "scream bloody murder".
This series also show us the male side of the banshess. Boys with the power of reassure the banshees girls.
If you haven't try them. What are you waiting? These books are fully recommended!
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