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Rising from their graves, the vampiric Amalanhig from the Philippines are after your flesh and blood. But where did these creatures come from?

Across the Philippine archipelago, amidst thick jungles and quiet villages where the night air seems to hum with ancient secrets, there exists a terrifying legend told in hushed voices: the tale of the Amalanhig. Part vampire, part restless revenant or some sort of zombie-like creature, these undead beings are feared in Visayan mythology, especially among the Hiligaynon-speaking people of the central Philippines.

Though the shapeshifting creature aswang often steals the spotlight in Filipino lore, the Amalanhig is a uniquely haunting breed of monster. Neither entirely living nor fully dead, these creatures stalk the night in search of the warmth of human blood… or the eerie sound of laughter in the dark.

The Birth of the Amalanhig

According to myth, the Amalanhig were once human aswangs which is sinister, flesh-hungry creatures of Filipino legend known for their bloodlust and shape-shifting abilities. But unlike their counterparts, these particular aswangs failed to successfully pass on their dark powers before death. Stripped of their chance for a peaceful afterlife and denied their monstrous legacy, they rose from their graves — stiff, unyielding, and ravenous for human blood.

These undead beings are said to haunt burial grounds, thick forests, and isolated villages, forever cursed to chase down the living. Their appearance mirrors that of ordinary humans, though their upper canines are often unnaturally long and sharp, betraying their true nature.

It is also said that some humans could turn into these creatures as well. Most often people who died with some unfinished business or are after revenge after being murdered.

Death by Bite… or Tickle

In some versions, they relentlessly pursue the living, aiming to sink their oversized canines into the necks of unsuspecting victims.

But in one particularly strange and eerie variant of the myth, the Amalanhig dispatches its victims not with fangs, but through tickling. Yes — these deathless beings are said to chase humans until they catch them, and then proceed to tickle them to death. A grotesque and terrifying ordeal, where the victims perish from a mixture of laughter, breathlessness, and sheer horror.

The Army of Undead

Some legends claim that the Amalanhig was created by humans. According to one legend, a long time ago before the Spaniards came to the Philippines a chieftain ordered his priestess to create an army of warriors that couldn’t be killed.

They were created by killing ordinary men with dark rituals like putting dark soot, and putting a cursed pebble in their mouths. After three days they came back to life but they were mindless, walking corpses that only died after accomplishing their task.

How to Escape an Amalanhig

Due to the rigor mortis-like stiffness of their corpses, Amalanhigs can only walk in straight lines. A would-be victim can escape by running in a zigzag pattern, weaving unpredictably to confuse the creature.They can also be outrun as they are unable to bend their knees.

Another time-honored method is to seek refuge in high places like trees, rooftops, or raised platforms as the Amalanhig’s rigid limbs prevent it from climbing. Deep bodies of water are another safeguard; these undead fear rivers and lakes, and will not follow their prey into the depths.

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References:

Amalanhig – Wikipedia

Amalanhig | Myth and Folklore Wiki

Aswang – Wikipedia

Visayans – Wikipedia

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The Legend of the Jiāngshī: China’s Hopping Vampire

16. September 2025 Mirror 4 Comments

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With stiff limbs after rigor mortis has set in, the Chinese vampire entity, the Jiāngshī is after the life force of the living. But where did the lore of the hopping undead really come from?

The concepts of vampires and the undead is not a modern notion. Long before Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and centuries before Hollywood’s suave, bloodthirsty counts graced silver screens, the people of ancient China harbored their own chilling tales of the dead refusing to stay buried.

Read More: Check out all haunted stories from China

In Chinese folklore, these restless corpses came not with bat wings or seductive stares, but with stiff limbs, pallid skin, crimson eyes, and long hooked claws. Their name? Jiāngshī (殭屍) — roughly translating to “stiff corpse” or more colorfully, “corpse-hopper.”

Yes — they hopped. And it was every bit as unsettling as it sounds.

What is a Jiāngshī?

The Jiāngshī (僵尸) is a reanimated corpse, a creature caught somewhere between life and death. It goes under many names like Chiang Shi, Kang Shi and Geungsi. The myth also appears in other parts of Asia; such as South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

Unlike your typical Western vampire, which drains blood with charm and elegance, a Jiāngshī is known for its stiff, rigor mortis-bound body that can only move by hopping, arms outstretched like some grim parody of a child’s game.

Its arrival is accompanied by the scent of decay and often a sinister green phosphorescent glow. Traditionally, it feeds on the life essence or qi of the living or by simply draining their vital energy. Victims struck down by a Jiāngshī would either die outright or rise again as one of its own.

As for appearance — imagine a corpse with ashen or moldy green skin, protruding fangs, claw-like fingernails, and red, hungry eyes. In some accounts, it wears the clothes it was buried in: threadbare robes from dynasties long past.

In some folkloric accounts it had more powers and was capable of running and chasing people at high speed.

Origins of the Legend of the Jiāngshī

The origins of the Jiāngshī legend are as murky as a midnight fog rolling through a mountain pass. Tales of reanimated corpses in Chinese culture can be traced as far back as the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), with possible roots stretching into even earlier dynasties.

One plausible theory ties their genesis to the folk custom of “transporting corpses over long distances, “ ((千里行屍; 千里行尸; qiān lǐ xíng shī)In rural China, Xiang province (present-day Hunan), when people died far from home, families often couldn’t afford to transport the body by cart. A lot of people worked construction work in the backwaters of western Hunan and the death toll was high. But they all preferred to be buried with their family in their ancestral homeplace.

the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, whose reign was rife with war and conquest in an attempt to claim land and establish the Chinese states.

Instead, local priests or corpse-handlers were hired to bind the corpses upright between bamboo poles, carried by porters walking in unison. They avoided driving during the day as people feared dead bodies. From a distance, the swaying of the corpses might have resembled hopping — giving birth to stories of corpse-hoppers prowling the countryside.

Couple this with deep-seated fears of improper burials, vengeful spirits, and death-related taboos, and you had the perfect storm for spawning the Jiāngshī myth. This practice also gave rise to the belief that Taoist sorceres could be paid for the corpse to “hop their way home” if they couldn’t afford the transportation costs.

The Jiāngshī’s Vampiric Traits

The Jiāngshī shares enough blood-chilling traits to land itself firmly in the category of vampiric folklore like the eastern European one. In some ways it could also look more like a mindless zombie than an immortal and intellectual vampire. If absorbing enough energy, it could even fight. It was said to come from the hills, soaring through the air to devour infants.

They believed they could be created with dark magic or by spirits possessing the dead bodies, or even by absorbing enough yang qi energy to return. There were also more specific ways to become this entiry like When the dead person is not buried even after a funeral has been held. The corpse comes to life after it is struck by a bolt of lightning, or when a pregnant cat (or a black cat in some tales) leaps across the coffin.

Its victims may fall ill, die, or rise as new Jiāngshī. It is repelled by sunlight and sleeps in their coffins, caves or dark forests during the day.

Like its Western counterparts, a Jiāngshī is often born of violent death, improper burial rites, or spiritual unrest. In some tales, even a strong grudge or curse could tether a soul to its body, animating it into a hopping nightmare.

Unlike its western counterparts though, there is rarely talk about the Jiāngshī feeding on human blood with fangs.

How to Stop a Jiāngshī

Chinese folklore, practical as ever, offers several creative ways to ward off or destroy a Jiāngshī and they have several weaknesses. As with most undead, exposure to daylight causes the creature to decay or combust.

They also feared their own reflection and mirror could also repel them. They were also afraid of things made from peach trees, a rooster calling, fire and hooves of a black donkey, dropping a bag of coins as they must count them, glutinous riceand blood of a black dog among other things.

Fulu or Taoist talismans are also a classic way of fighting dark entities. Written on yellow paper in red ink and affixed to the creature’s forehead, these magical scrolls could immobilize or dispel the vampire.

The Jiangshi in Pop Culture

The legend of the Jiāngshī didn’t fade with the passing of imperial China. Instead, it found new life in Hong Kong horror comedies of the 1980s and 90s, notably the cult classic Mr. Vampire (1985), which turned the hopping vampire into an iconic figure of Chinese pop culture. Interestingly, the use of the entity in pure horror movies without comedy has proved to not work.

It is also perhaps from Hong Kong cinema that we get the depiction of a stiff corpse dressed in official garments from the Qing dynasty. The Manchu style qizhuang and the headpiece Qingdai guanmao could come from anti- Manchu propaganda.

Modern adaptations often blend humor with horror, depicting Taoist priests armed with incense sticks and spirit scrolls battling swarms of hopping undead. While the Jiāngshī might seem quirky or even comedic in some modern depictions, at its core it’s a reflection of ancient anxieties about death, spiritual unrest, and the consequences of neglecting the dead.

Beneath the slapstick lies a persistent echo of ancient fears: that death, if disrespected, will come hopping after you.

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References:

https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-030-82301-6_38-1

Hopping Vampire – 僵尸 (jiāngshī) – CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms, Vol. 2

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The Witchcraft Haunting Dub Pukur on the Night of Bhoot Chaturdashi

20. August 2025 Mirror Leave a comment

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Every 25th year on the night of Bhoot Chaturdashi, it is said that the ghost haunting the water of Dub Pukur comes back from beyond. You can hear wailing screams from the ghost thought to be a witch over the dark water.

Hidden amidst the modern buildings of Haldia Township lies a seemingly innocuous pond known as Dub Pukur (ডুব পুকুর). Beneath its calm surface lurks a sinister secret—a tale of witchcraft, murder, and restless spirits that continues to instill fear among the local people to this day.

Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India

Haldia is today an industrial port city in West Bengal by Haldi River, coming from Ganges. The surrounding area of the Zamindari used to be ruled by the Mahishadal Raj family and it is in connection to these royals, the ghost story comes from.

**The Haunted Pond:** Nabaratna Gopaljiu temple inside Mahishadal Rajbari complex at Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal. Is this the haunted Dub Pukur? //Photo by: Amitabha Gupta/wikimedia

The Midwife Witch Haunting Dub Pukur

Legend has it that in the early 18th century, during the peak of the reign of the Royals of Mahishadal Rajbari, a midwife accused of witchcraft and child-devouring faced a grim fate at the hands of a vengeful mob.

The details of this story are sparse, and there is not a lot to go on to dig deeper into the legend of when it started to be told. Some of the few sources claim that the midwife was attacked by witches and they were the one that devoured the child when the Queen gave birth.

Daayans, or witches in Indian folklore are often thought to be a sort of succubi with vampiric traits as they often are said to feed on their victims for power. And as in the rest of the world, old or widowed women were often the subjects of witch hunts. As well as women in certain professions like being a midwife that are often accused of being witches.

In any case, the midwife was blamed and a mob formed. Tied and dragged far from Mahishadal into the depths of the forest along the banks of the Haldi River, she met her untimely end in the murky waters of Dub Pukur on a moonless night.

**Dayan Hunts in Modern Day India**: Although a creature from folklore, witch hunts still have deadly outcomes in India: “According to the National Crime Bureau records, as many as 1,157 women were branded as witch and killed in Jharkhand between 1991 and 2010. Here pictured in the Star Plus show, Nazar played by Monalisa aka Antara Biswas,

The Bhoot Chaturdashi Haunting

Since that fateful night, Dub Pukur has become a place of dread and superstition, shrouded in eerie tales of paranormal activity. Every 25 years, on the night of Bhoot Chaturdashi, the 14th day of Krishna Paksha, locals report hearing a blood-curdling scream emanating from the depths of the pond—a chilling reminder of the midwife’s tragic demise.

In West Bengal It is believed on the eve of this dark night, the souls of the deceased come down to earth to visit their dear ones. On this night they are also performing rituals to chase away the evil spirits.

But the horror does not end there. In the morning light of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, the lifeless body of a missing person is often discovered floating ominously in the murky waters of Dub Pukur—a grim testament to the vengeful spirit that still haunts its depths.

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References:

Naraka Chaturdashi – Wikipedia

Dayan (witch) – Wikipedia

ভূত আদতে কল্পনা না কি বাস্তব জানতে পশ্চিমবঙ্গের এই সাতটি ভৌতিক স্থান একবার ঘুরে আসতে পারেন… – Tripoto

List of reportedly haunted locations in India – Wikipedia

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The Drowned Ghosts of Mae Ram Phueng Beach in Thailand

19. August 2025 Mirror 1 Comment

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On the picturesque Mae Ram Phueng Beach east in Thailand, there have started to be whispered that ghosts comes out from the sea at night. What really is behind these haunted legends?

The beaches in Thailand are certainly well known around the world, but what about its haunted legends? There are so many ghost stories being told about this summer paradise, and some of them are also thought to be about the beaches as well.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Thailand

Mae Ram Phueng Beach, located in Thailand’s Rayong province east by the Siam bay, is renowned for its picturesque coastline and tranquil ambiance. However, beneath its serene surface lies a history steeped in tragedy and tales of the supernatural.

The Danger of the Sandy Beaches

Over the years, Mae Ram Phueng Beach has witnessed numerous drowning incidents. Nicknames such as the man-eating beach or the cannibal beach have made people think twice before planning their beach day here. But what exactly is happening on these shores?

The nature of this is that strong winds and waves and the sandy bottom under the water sink into a deep pool. Even if you play in shallow water, you can easily fall into the pool of death, especially during monsoon season. Even with red flags and guards warnings, accidents still happen.

Tales of Ghosts at Mae Ram Phueng Beach

The frequency and nature of these drownings have fostered a belief that the Mae Ram Phueng Beach is cursed or haunted by restless spirits.

Visitors and residents alike have reported unsettling experiences along the shoreline. Some recount feelings of unease, sudden chills, or the sensation of being watched. Others claim to have seen apparitions or heard unexplained whispers carried by the sea breeze.

Some reports have taken the ghost stories further. The ghosts reportedly had darkened faces, almost black and eyes glowing red. There are also those claiming to have felt the grasp of ghostly hands, dragging them down the deep and sandy pools.

A Word of Caution

Perhaps its worth noting that most of the haunted legends of this beach, comes from a certain account that has made its rounds on forums and online sites. In 2019, the beach came into the spotlight of another gruesome tale. One of two headless bodies was found on this beach after being dead for a week.

While Mae Ram Phueng Beach continues to attract tourists with its natural beauty, it’s essential to approach it with respect and awareness and take head of the red flags and guards warnings. Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, the beach’s history serves as a poignant reminder of the tragedies that have occurred there.

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References:

หาดแม่รําพึง หาดที่ขึ้นชื่อว่า ผีดุ เชื่อว่าเป็นหาดผีสิง หรือหาดกินคน

Shock horror: headless bodies and woman’s head wash up on popular Thai tourist beaches – Travel Weekly

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The Murdered Man Wandering the Tao Đàn Park in Ho Chi Minh City

1. July 2025 Mirror Leave a comment

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Wandering through the Tao Đàn Park in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the ghost of a young man murdered there is said to haunt it after he was brutally murdered. Now, he is lingering, still looking for his love.

Are you a fan of ghost stories and haunted places? Then you won’t want to miss the spooky tale of Tao Đàn Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, or Công viên Tao Đàn as it is in Vietnamese.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Vietnam

This serene green space, known for its beautiful gardens and cultural events, has a dark side that few know about. This side of the park came to light when a travel site called Rough Guides published an article about the most terrifying haunted places in the world; the park was included in 2013. From the tragic history of the park’s creation to the eerie sightings of ghostly apparitions, Tao Đàn Park is steeped in a history of horror and mystery.

**Tao Đàn Park:** A serene view of the lotus pond and lush greenery at Tao Đàn Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, showcasing its cultural beauty. However, it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a murdered man.// Source: Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA

The History of Tao Đàn Park

Tao Đàn Park is a popular attraction for visitors and locals alike. The park behind the Reunification Palace and ancient temples covers an area of over 10 hectares as a green space in Ho Chi Minh City. It is known for its beautiful gardens, playgrounds, and cultural events. It has a pool, tennis courts and a sculpture garden. However, few people know about the dark history of the park’s creation.

**The Green Lung of Ho Chi Minh City**: A beautifully crafted topiary of a dragon in Tao Đàn Park, showcasing the park’s artistic landscaping among the lush greenery. // Source: Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA

The park was built in the late 19th century during the French colonial period in the 1860s and called it Jardin de la Ville. After the French left in 1954, the Vietnamese took the park back and named it Tao Đàn Park.

Now, it is a lit up and green place for relaxation and fresh air. But those who have seen the park grow, have also seen its darker times a couple of decades ago when it was more drugs, robberies and suicides happening in the park after dark.

Haunted Stories and Legends Associated with Tao Đàn Park

A legend told about the Tao Đàn Park is the ghost of the murdered man. In this story, a man was walking through the park with his girlfriend in 2007. They were attacked and murdered, at least the man. His girlfriend was most certainly attacked and in need of help.

Now the man is roaming around the park as a ghost, looking for the love he lost. Although his motives are honorable, it is said he is frightening the visitors who have wandered into the park after dark. Especially the first days of July you can hear his mournful cries throughout the park.

The Motorbike Murder

Did the murder really happen though, or is it simply a widespread legend? According to the park officials and the police, there never was such a murder inside of the park, at least not the way the story tells it.

According to Cong An Newspaper, the official murder that happened in the park was in July, 1989 when Nguyen Diet Hoang Tuan, a young man on a motorbike was robbed and murdered by one he believed was his friend and his accomplice. He had been told to be in the park to potentially sell his bike, but the men he met lured him there to murder him and steal his bike instead.

He was found dead in a pile of trash in the corner of the park, but the case was soon resolved as his sister saw the perpetrators on his motorbike.

Even so, the legend about the ghost of the man wandering the park has taken hold. Some who know the story about Nguyen Diet Hoang Tuan, say that it is in fact him haunting the park, looking for his murders and seeking revenge.

A Part of a Paranormal Marketing Strategy?

Many visitors to Tao Đàn Park have reported strange and eerie experiences. Some have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, while others have heard mysterious noises and voices. One visitor reported feeling a cold breeze and seeing a shadowy figure near the lake, while another reported feeling an invisible hand touching their shoulder.

**The Mysterious Tomb:** In the park, there is also an old tomb that has given root to many legends. However, according to many studies by archaeologists, the tomb was built in the year of At Mao (1795). The person in the tomb is Mr. Lam Tam Lang who died in the fall of At Mao (1795) and Mrs. Mai Thi Xa – his wife. The Lam family was originally from Guangdong. // Source

On the other hand, there are the locals that deny that anything spooky has ever happened in the park and that the whole story of the park being one of Vietnam’s most haunted places is laughable at best. So what is it? A ghost story crafted from the outside as a marketing scheme or a true local legend?

The Mystery of the Tao Đàn Park

Tao Đàn Park may be a beautiful green space, but it has a dark and haunted past that few people know about. From the tragic history of the park’s creation to the eerie sightings of ghostly apparitions, Tao Đàn Park is steeped in a history of horror and mystery.

Despite its haunted reputation, the park remains an important part of Ho Chi Minh City’s cultural heritage. In fact, many believe that the ghost story was invented for the tourist looking for the spooky side of the world. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and its beautiful gardens and cultural events continue to draw visitors from around the world.

Whether you’re a fan of ghost stories or simply looking for a unique and eerie experience, Tao Đàn Park is a destination that should not be missed. So, are you brave enough to visit?

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The Haunting of Changi Beach: Singapore’s Ghosts of War

25. June 2025 Mirror 1 Comment

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After a World War Two massacre, it is said that Changi Beach in Singapore is haunted by its victims. Could it be that the Sook Ching Massacre has made ghosts haunt the beach, or is it something else staining the sand bloody red?

When you think of Singapore, you might picture sleek skyscrapers, bustling hawker centers, and impeccable city streets. But beneath that modern veneer lies a blood-soaked history, and few places are as steeped in sorrow and spectral legend as Changi Beach.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Singapore

Changi Beach Park is on the northern tip of the eastern region Changi in Singapore and one of the oldest coastal parks in the country. By day, it’s a picturesque 3 km long stretch of white sand kissed by the South China Sea. By night, it’s a haunted shoreline where the spirits of the betrayed and butchered are said to wander — forever restless.

**The Haunted Changi Beach:** Sunset at Changi beach Park Changi Point. After the Sook Ching Massacre during World War Two, it’s seen as one of the mot haunted places in Singapore

A Bloodied Past: The Sook Ching Massacre

During World War II, after Japanese forces captured Singapore in 1942, they began a brutal purge known as the Sook Ching Massacre — a systematic extermination of suspected anti-Japanese Chinese men, believed to be resistance fighters or sympathizers. The name means the “cleansing purge” although the Japanese Imperialists called it: “The great inspection of Singapore.”

How many that were actually part of the resistance is uncertain, as the Japanese rounded up a group of Asians working at Changi Beach that had nothing to do with the POW who had sabotaged the Japanese engines at Selarang Barracks, a mechanical workshop used by the Japanese soldiers. The workers, mainly from the Bukit Timah/Stevens Road area, were tortured for days. In the end, the workers were executed as a warning to the POW at Changi Beach.

Changi Beach was one of several execution sites on the massacre on the 20th February in 1942.. On this stretch of seemingly tranquil sand, at least 66 Chinese men were lined up, shot, and buried. The true number of victims across all the Sook Ching sites is thought to be as high as 50,000 between 18th February to 4th of March..

The men were tied to each other and forced to walk over the beach towards the water. As they reached the edge, they were shot and killed by the Japanese Hojo Kempei. Those who didn’t die immediately from the shooting, were left to drown or killed with their bayonets.

The bodies from the massacre were buried in mass graves, dug by the war prisoners in the nearby camps.

After the war, the Japanese were forced to surrender and they were put on trial and their punishment was the same as their crime: to be executed the same way. 15 of them were sentenced and taken to Changi Beach and shot there.

This was the case with people like Lieutenant-General S. Fukuyei. He commanded a camp and was found guilty of executing two Australian and two British people on the shores of Changi Beach. When he was executed in the same way, photographs of it was published in Singaporean newspapers.

Vice-Admiral T. Hara together with three of his men was found guilty in murdering nine Burmese soldiers and was hanged in the Changi area a few years after the war.

Not much was known about the victims after the war and what really happened to them. At least in the first few years, the families needed a way to honor their dead. A taoist ceremony was held in 1948 in what is known as the VAlley of Tears where mass graves of the Japanese occupation were thought to be. This was also to soothe the hungry ghosts that they feared would form.

The Hauntings of Changi Beach

But did all of the taoist ceremonies help to keep the ghosts at bay? According to local ghost lore– no. In the decades since, visitors and locals alike have whispered of eerie, inexplicable phenomena at Changi Beach. People believe that the innocent workers that were executed are haunting it, angry of their fate.

Sounds of voices crying and screaming have been reported, although the beach is empty, and the source is nowhere to be found. The sound of guns going off is also some of the things beach goers claim to have heard. Some even claim to have seen the ghosts of the executions replaying again and again, the phantom blood painting the sand red.

Beachgoers claim to have been slapped, shoved, or grabbed by unseen hands as they are taking a bath or relaxing in the sand. Some report the sudden sensation of fingers brushing against their hair or shoulders, only to turn and find no one there.

A ghostly woman’s cries are often heard on the wind, especially near the old execution sites. Some say she’s the spirit of a mother who watched her sons executed, cursed to mourn for eternity.

Headless Apparitions

Several chilling stories involve the sight of headless figures wandering the beach, their torsos swaying as if searching for something — or someone — long lost. Witnesses report these apparitions vanish upon approach, leaving only the lingering scent of decay and salt.

Perhaps the most grotesque tale is of disembodied human remains appearing in the night sky, accompanied by distant screams. Eyewitnesses speak of seeing arms, heads, and torsos drift overhead like twisted kites, vanishing before they touch the sand, or their heads, floating on the surface of the water.

The Malayan Myth of Hantu Penanggal

Some think that these floating heads and other limbs are not ghosts at all, but something dark from folklore. They are called Hantu Penanggal and are not ghosts, but witches or some type of vampiric entity from Malayan folklore that want to live on forever.

They were able to separate their heads from their bodies and would prey on pregnant women and children. Looking like a woman themselves during their day, at night, they turn into this bodiless creature, their organs trails from their necks, twinkling in the dark like will-o-the-wisp, leaving a smell of vinegar-

The Beach That Won’t Forget

Changi Beach, for all its tropical beauty and cheerful daytime facade, harbors a nightmarish secret. It’s a place where history refuses to stay buried, and the ghosts of war still cry out in the surf.

If you visit, pause a moment at dusk. Listen for the whispers on the breeze. Feel for the unseen fingers on your shoulder. And should you hear the mournful cries of the weeping woman — do not answer. Some voices are meant to stay in the shadows.

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Convent of Jesus & Mary in Shimla and the Headless Horseman

13. June 2025 Mirror 1 Comment

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The prestigious girl school The Convent of Jesus & Mary, known as Chelsea, is also known for their ghost stories from students that died on the premises as well as a headless horseman after them, luring them away with a red rose on their pillows.

Shimla, with its enchanting landscapes and colonial-era architecture, conceals a series of eerie stories within its picturesque hills. The Convent of Jesus and Mary, also called Chelsea, is a renowned prestigious school for girls in Navbahar where the royal families of Thailand, Nepal and high class families in India used to send their daughters. Although it harbors chilling tales that continue to haunt its premises.

The CJM schools that Chelsea is a part of is a network of Roman Catholic schools that have spread all over the world, and so have its ghost stories.

**Convent of Jesus & Mary:** The school in Shimla used to be a catholic boarding school for girls, and a legend about haunting from a headless horseman made its rounds around the students.//Source

The Convent of Jesus & Mary was founded by a French nun in 1864 called Marie Claudine Thevenet and was run by nuns, originally as an orphanage for the children of the British soldiers. In post colonial India the school of Convent of Jesus & Mary was re-branded as an elite educational institution. It used to be a boarding school as well, but as of 2000 it has just been a day school.

Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India

While some may dismiss these stories as mere rumors, the spectral legends surrounding the Convent of Jesus & Mary have persisted over the years, adding an air of mystique to this educational institution.

The Legend of the Headless Horseman

During the Convent of Jesus & Mary’s time as a boarding school it was an international close knit community with little to no phones or internet with strong and old traditions with a lot of time to kill in the chilly Himalayan range. No wonder that many ghost stories were passed around at the school, although it is unsure exactly when these stories took shape.

**The Headless Horseman:** The figure is found in folklore across Europe since the Middle Ages. Typically depicted as a rider on horseback missing his head, variations of the tale exist in different cultures. In Irish folklore, the dullahan is a demonic fairy who carries his head under his arm and causes death when he stops riding. Scottish tales involve headless horsemen haunting areas after being decapitated in battles. In Welsh folklore, headless horsemen are said to haunt locations until their bodies are found and buried. German folklore tells of revenant headless horsemen who wander until they atone for sins.//Image: The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane by John Quidor

One of the most told stories associated with the Convent of Jesus and Mary revolves around an ominous figure: the headless horseman that have traveled the world and times with its striking imagery. Stories about the Headless Horseman have been told since medieval times, and everyone got their own twist.

It is said that the spirit of the Headless Horseman haunting the Convent of Jesus & Mary, started out as a coachman that used to live close to the school. He was said to have been too interested in ladies, but he died in some sort of accident or was decapitated in a brawl. It is said that on fateful Fridays, specifically the 13th of the month, this spectral rider materializes on the school grounds.

Read Also: Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, perhaps the most famous story coming from the folklore of the Headless Horseman.

It is said that when coming to the school, he offers one of the girls a rose. A trope found in many girl boarding school legends, including Convent of Jesus & Mary. In some versions The Headless Horseman gave it directly to her or the rose was left on the girl’s pillow and found when the girls got back from class.

What happens to the girls after being chosen depends solely on their choice. Those girls who accept the rose are led away by the sinister figure, never to be seen again, while those who dare to refuse meet a ghastly fate and are killed.

The girls attending the school are wearing a red uniform and they are often referred to as Chelseaites and easy to spot. It is said that the fear of the headless horseman got so bad for a while that the girls covered their faces around the time leading up to a Friday the 13th.

The Dormitory Fire Tragedy

Another haunting tale whispers of a devastating fire that engulfed the Convent of Jesus & Mary’s dormitory during the British colonial rule on April 29 in 1946, taking out a two-thirds of the school building. The present-day play area conceals a grim history, as it is believed to be the final resting place of the 10 year old girl who tragically perished in the flames.

Ghostly apparitions are said to roam the playground, evoking the spirits of the past. Among these restless souls is a young girl, forever in search of her lost doll. She is not alone, as the spirits of other young women, taken by the headless horseman, are believed to linger in the shadows.

It is also believed to have been a fire that broke out when it was used for orphans, and the current building was built on top of the orphan children buried underneath it, still lingering as ghosts.

The 2012 Tragedy of Convent of Jesus & Mary

Tragedy struck the Convent of Jesus & Mary in 2012, when two young students, were found lifeless near the school. The grieving families and friends of the victims made a distressing claim: the children had taken their own lives due to mental harassment and torment inflicted by their teachers.

A pall of sadness and fear descended upon the school community. Some residents and students assert that the souls of these young victims linger within the school’s premises, casting a somber veil over the institution and are haunting the school.

Boarding School Ghost Stories

The Convent of Jesus & Mary in Shimla with its history and culture of young girls with a wide imagination and perhaps a ghost or two following them seems dark. Beyond its academic pursuits, the school has nurtured stories of spectral encounters that are found perhaps at other similar institutions.

While some may dismiss these tales as mere superstition, the eerie legends continue to linger in the hallways and grounds of the Convent of Jesus & Mary, evoking a sense of both fascination and dread among its students and visitors. Whether real or imagined, these spectral stories add an intriguing layer to the school’s rich history and the enigmatic charm of Shimla’s haunted landscape.

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The Haunted Legends of the Rose City, Petra in Jordan

11. June 2025 Mirror 1 Comment

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Dubbed the rose city because of the red rocks it is carved out of, the mysterious Petra in Jordan has captivated the local Bedouins as well as the tourists across the world for centuries. But what ghosts and ghouls are haunting the place?

Petra, Jordan, is a city steeped in mystery and intrigue. Known as the Rose City, Petra is home to some of the most impressive ancient architecture in the world. But behind the stunning facade lies a dark and haunted history. From tales of curses and lost treasure to unexplained apparitions and eerie sounds, Petra is a place where the paranormal and the historical collide.

From the ghostly whispers of ancient spirits to the curses of long-dead pharaohs, there’s no shortage of spine-tingling stories to be found in Petra, often called Rose city because of the reddish sandstone cliffs.

**Haunted Ancient City**: The stunning Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury, carved into the rose-red cliffs of Petra, Jordan. A lot of strange things and legends about the place have made many think that the city is haunted.

The History of Petra

Petra is an ancient city that was once the capital of the Nabataean kingdom. The city was founded in the 6th century BC and was a major trading hub for spices, incense, and other valuable goods. Petra’s location at the intersection of several important trade routes made it a wealthy and powerful city.

The Nabataeans were skilled architects and engineers who carved their homes and temples out of the sandstone cliffs that surround Petra. The most famous of these structures is the Treasury, a magnificent temple that was carved into the rock face and served as the tomb of a Nabataean king.

There are huge Hellenistic structures carved into solid rock that served as a mausoleum for the wealthy dead.

Petra’s glory days came to an end in the 2nd century AD when the city was conquered by the Roman Empire. There were also earthquakes that changed the trade route that contributed to the decline of Petra. Permanent residency of Petra essentially ended in the 6th century CE, when water access was diminished for the city’s 20,000 inhabitants and regional competitor Palmyra took the reins of the trade between the Persians and the Romans.

Over time, Petra was abandoned and fell into ruin. It wasn’t until the 19th century that Petra was rediscovered by Western explorers in 1812, when Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt made the locals bring him there, and it became a popular tourist destination. Despite its ancient origins, Petra’s history is not all sunshine and roses. The city has seen its fair share of tragedy and bloodshed over the centuries, which has given rise to some of the most chilling ghost stories in the world.

The Forgotten Treasury Al-Khazneh

One of the most famous legends associated with Petra is that of the lost treasure of the Nabataeans called Al-Khazneh, or the enchanted Treasury. According to this legend from Bedouin folklore, the Nabataeans were incredibly wealthy from spice and silk trade and amassed a vast fortune over the centuries. When the Romans invaded Petra, the Nabataeans were forced to flee, leaving their treasure behind. It is said that the treasure is still hidden somewhere in Petra, waiting to be discovered by a brave and lucky adventurer.

**Al-Khazneh**: The stunning Treasury of Petra, a testament to Nabataean architecture carved into the rose-red cliffs. It is thought that Al-Khazneh was built as a mausoleum and crypt at the beginning of the 1st century AD during the reign of Aretas IV Philopatris.

One legend about the treasury is that to protect the treasure, a pharaoh put a curse on the place. According to the story, an Egyptian pharaoh and some in his army escaped when the Red Sea closed when they hunted Moses. They created the treasury with magic as a safe place before they continued to hunt Moses down. And those willing to break the rules and search for the treasure, will feel the wrath of the curse.

Some think that the treasury was more a place of worship or a burial chamber, more than a place of hiding away treasures. Many of the sculptures are of various creatures from mythology that were associated with the afterlife.

Petra is also home to several mysterious and unexplained phenomena. Visitors to the city have reported hearing ghostly whispers and moans coming from the ancient ruins. Some have even claimed to have seen apparitions of long-dead Nabataean warriors and priestesses wandering the streets of Petra, still protecting their home.

The Haunted Stories of Petra

Visitors to Petra have reported a wide range of paranormal activities. Some have reported seeing orbs of light floating through the ancient ruins, while others have claimed to have heard disembodied voices and footsteps. Some have even reported feeling a cold breeze or a sudden drop in temperature, even on the hottest days.

**The Siq:** The narrow sandstone gorge leading into Petra, known as the Siq, offers a glimpse of the stunning red rock formations characteristic of the Rose City. The Siq literally ‘the Shaft’, is the main entrance. Also known as Siqit, it is a dim, narrow gorge (in some points no more than 3 metres (10 ft) wide) and winds its way approximately 1.2 kilometres (3⁄4 mi) and ends at Petra’s most elaborate ruin, Al-Khazneh.

Some say that the ghosts haunting Petra are Nabatean merchants or Roman legionnaires who died in battle. There are also those saying that the place is haunted by a group of school girls.

In 1963, a sudden flood killed 23 Lebanese schoolgirls. According to some, their spirit is haunting the halls and you can hear their laughter turning into screams after night echoing through the red walls in the mile long gorge or Siq, leading into Petra.

The Djinn Blocks

When you walk down the Street of Facades you will come across three enormous obelisks called Djinn Blocks. The blocks are probably from the 2nd century B.C and according to bedouin legends, they were the dwellings of the djinns, an Islamic legend about the Djinns, made from smokeless fire.

They appear to visitors as a flash of light or as a blowing whirls of wind. Djinns are said to appear at night and are said to be behind the nightly haunting when they came from the burial chambers and dark corners of Petra.

The Monastery Ad-Deir

Getting to higher ground, you will find the Monastery, or the Ad-Deir. This monumental building was probably carved out from rock in the mid-first century AD. It is perhaps the second most known building in Petra after the Khazneh.

According to stories, the ghost of a guard is haunting this location. There are also those saying they have seen someone looking like wearing ancient robes like a Nabatean monk, disappearing around behind the walls.

Like someone is still protecting their sacred ground.

The Mystery of Petra’s Lost City

Despite its haunted history, Petra remains a popular tourist destination. Visitors flock to the city from all over the world to explore the ancient ruins and experience the rich history and culture of the Nabataean people.

In fact, the surface of Khazneh has receded by 40 mm in less than ten years from people touching, leaning or rubbing against the walls.

Perhaps the greatest mystery of Petra is the city itself. Despite years of archaeological research, much of Petra remains shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The city is home to several hidden tombs and underground tunnels, many of which have yet to be fully explored. Some believe that these tunnels lead to secret chambers where the lost treasure of the Nabataeans is hidden.

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The Backstory Behind Petra, Jordan’s Ancient Ghost City

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Aka Manto (赤マント): Japan’s Nightmare in the Bathroom Stall

11. April 2025 Mirror Leave a comment

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The question about red or blue paper has scared Japanese students for generations now. The spirit of Aka Manto (赤マント) is still haunting the toilets of schools to this day, and is still a mystery of where the legend comes from. Was he a bloodsucking vampire? Serial killer? Perhaps an ancient god?

You’re in a dimly lit school bathroom in the remote and old part of your school. You are the last one in the building, and you just needed a moment of peace. Then, from the stall next to you, a deep, unsettling voice asks a simple question:

“Would you like red paper or blue paper?”

You have already heard the stories and you know you’re about to die in one of the most gruesome ways possible.

Let’s talk about Aka Manto, Japan’s most murderous toilet ghost.

The Legend of Aka Manto: The Wrong Answer Could Kill You

**Aka Manto:** This is an artistic rendition of Aka Manto by Matthew Hoobin. Source: Wikimedia

Aka Manto is not your average ghost, but often described more of a demonic entity or yōkai who lurks in public restrooms, particularly school bathrooms. Very often it is in elementary schools in a specific stall in an older or not often dark and forgotten toilet, especially the older squat toilets. It is often the fourth stall that is the cursed one as the number four is associated with death.

The legend of Aka Manto goes something like this:

After Aka Manto asks if you want red or blue paper, you only have bad choices. If you say “red paper” (赤い紙, akai kami), Aka Manto will slice you apart, drenching the walls in your blood. You die in a pool of your own gore, forever staining the stall red.

If you say “blue paper” (青い紙, aoi kami), Aka Manto will strangle you to death, draining your face of blood until you turn blue. Some versions say he sucks the life out of you, leaving nothing but a pale, cold corpse.

Trying to be clever and bring your own paper? Bad idea, as it will vanish mysteriously. If you ask for a different color like yellow, Aka Manto drags you into the underworld, and you are never seen again. If you try to run away? The stall door won’t budge, and your fate is sealed. If you stay silent? He kills you anyway. Basically, once Aka Manto asks the question, you’re doomed, in most cases.

Origins: Where Did This Nightmare Aka Manto Come From?

Like all great urban legends, Aka Manto’s origins are murky. He’s been around for decades, at least since the 1930s in Nara City, terrifying generations of schoolchildren and unsuspecting restroom-goers. In 1940, the legend spread to Kitakyshu and even reached the Korean Peninsula under Japanese rule because of Japanese students. At least the legend of the red paper and the blue paper was a well known legend, but when did the red cloaked man appear in the story?

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Japan

One theory is that Aka Manto was once a man—maybe even a student—who wore a red cloak and a mask. Some say he was handsome, but so obsessed with his looks that he wore a mask to keep people from seeing his face. Today, the word manto mostly means a cloak or cape and he is often depicted as this. But back when the urban legend first started spreading, manto referred to a shorter, sleeveless kimono jacket.

Others say he was a vengeful spirit, hunting down those who disrespected him in life. Whatever the case, he died tragically—and now he haunts bathrooms, forcing his victims to “choose their fate.”

The Unsolved Murder Creating Aka Manto

In some versions he was a serial killer and Ako Manto is said to be connected to The Aogetto Murder Case in 1906 in what is today Sakai city in Fukui Prefecture. A man in his 30s wearing blue, in some variations red, came to a shop as a messenger and asked Kaga Murayoshi (30) to follow him to help his sick aunt in Shinbo village. Murayoshi trusted him and followed.

The man used the same method to lure his mother, Kiku (59) and his wife, Tsuo (25) as well. He tried to take the two year old daughter as well, but the mother had asked a neighbor to look after her. The woman refused to let him in when he came to the door, asking for the daughter. The eldest daughter was spared as well, as she was babysitting another house.

They never returned, and the relatives in Shinbo village said they were not sick and had not asked for a messenger. Behind the Murayoshi family home, they found bloodstains in a boat by the Takeda River, finding Tsuo and Kiku’s bodies floating in the river, but never finding Kaga’s body.

Although they believed this murderer must have had a strong hatred for the family, they could never find any motives for it or suspects. The case is still unsolved.

Was this a true murder case however? For most it’s considered a legendary one more so than a true murder mystery, as most details of the case changes every retelling as well there have been no original sources or documentation about the case.

Inspired by Paper Doll Kamishibai Play

There is also a theory that the story of Aka Manto came from a mix of several real crimes mixed with popular media at the time.. One being the rape and murder of a young girl in Yanaka in Tokyo, although proof of a specific case has not been found. The other one comes from a harmless story from a popular kamishibai play at the time called Aka Manto by Kōji Kata. It told the story about a gentleman wizard in a red cloak that takes a shoeshine boy as his apprentice.

Mixing these two stories together created fear and a commotion in Osaka and the kamishibai was confiscated by the police because of it. There are however different tales about what year it was confiscated, if it was in 1936 or 1940.

**Kamishibai**: Meaning (紙芝居, “paper play”) is a form of Japanese street theater and storytelling that was popular during the Great Depression of the 1930s and the postwar period in Japan until television took over. Kamishibai were performed by a kamishibaiya (“kamishibai narrator”) who travelled to street corners with sets of illustrated boards that they placed in a miniature stage-like device and narrated the story by changing each image. Many think that the legend could have been inspired by this. Source: Flickr

Bloodsucking Vampire Tales from a Socialist Banker

In Ōkubo, Tokyo, the legend form tells of a vampire during the Shōwa era in the early 1900s. Corpses started appearing after being attacked by someone in a red cloak.

This vampire theory is most likely connected to another story. Some say the urban legend is actually from a socialist banker in the 1930s to unsettle people and that he was arrested because of it. The motive is uncertain and a little bit random. If this actually happened is uncertain though, as it’s just a memory from a novel by Nobuo Ozawa. There are however real news clippings talking about a similar case about a communication employee, not a bankman.

“Crackdown on rumours/Communication employee detained” “
In the wartime imperial capital, there have been many malicious rumors circulating, such as rumors that are disrupting politics and the financial world, and the story of the “Red Cape Hunchback” who is sucking blood that spread from Oji to the entire city, which are causing fear. The Metropolitan Police Department Intelligence Division has decided to carry out a thorough crackdown on these rumors to eradicate them from their source. On the 25th, it notified each police station under its jurisdiction to carry out strict inspections and internal investigations, while the Second Investigation Division also cooperated with this, and since the 23rd, a certain communication employee, Tomonori Tsune (38), of 3363 Oikurata-cho, Shinagawa-ku, has been detained and interrogated by Inspector Kobayashi. Since the middle of this month, he has been spreading rumors in the financial world that Prime Minister Hiranuma has been assassinated, which is said to have caused considerable shock in the banking world. Since these types of rumors are often spread for personal gain, the Metropolitan Police Department is also closely pursuing his background.”
– Published in the Yomiuri Shimbun in the evening edition of February 25th (dated the 26th) in 1939. source

Other Theories Behind the Red Cloaked Man

One theory of the ghost of Aka Manto comes from a rumor from Osaka around 1935. It said that a man in a cloak would appear in a dimly lit shoe locker in the basement. A year or two after this it spread to Tokyo and further and turned into the urban legend we know of today. A similar legend circulated in Kobe in the 70s and 80s about someone, or something, wrapping children in a red blanket and abduct them into the demon realm.

The Toilet Ghost Phenomenon: Why Are Bathrooms So Haunted?

If you’ve noticed a pattern, you’re not alone—Japan has way too many bathroom ghosts.

Hanako-san (the ghost girl in the third stall) – The Legend of Toire no Hanako-san: The Ghost Haunting School Toilets in Japan
Kashima Reiko (the legless spirit who crawls after you) – Teke Teke: The Terrifying Urban Legend of Kashima Reiko

Because bathrooms are liminal spaces—places where people are alone, vulnerable, and isolated. Plus, back in the day, Japanese toilets were dark, creepy holes in the ground. If anywhere was going to be haunted, it was the bathroom. There are also the cases of toilet gods from more ancient times that used to be worshiped.

Toilet Gods from Older Days

To understand why there are so many legends of spirits haunting the toilets in Japan, we must understand the folklore that existed before the ghost stories. In Japan, as well as many other cultures, Toilet Gods and deities were popular and worshiped from the Edo period until the early Showa period. This is in large part because of the association between human waste and agriculture, therefore making the toilets a fertile ground so to speak. Toilets were often dark and unpleasant places where the user was at some risk of falling in and drowning. The protection of the toilet god was therefore sought to avoid such an unsanitary fate.

Most often, it was a benevolent god, but it happened, like in Okinawa, that the God could become a place of haunting evil spirits. The fuuru nu kami, or “god of the toilet” from the Ryūkyū Shintō of the Ryukyu Islands is the family protector of the area of waste. The pig toilet, lacking this benevolent god, could become a place of evil influence and potential haunting because of the accumulation of waste matter, rejected and abandoned by the human body. This version of the spirits residing in toilets is more reminiscent of the Korean Cheuksin (厠神): South Korea’s Vengeful Toilet Goddess.

Toilet Gods and Colored Papers

In Kyoto, it is said that if you go to the toilet on the night of Setsubun, a monster called Kainade (Kainaze) will appear who will stroke your buttocks, and that if you chant “Red paper, white paper,” you can avoid this supernatural occurrence; there is also a theory that this evolved into a school ghost story. In Makabe County, Ibaraki Prefecture, it is said that blue and red, or red and white, paper dolls are offered to the toilet.

Such stores of a spirit and colored papers being offered in the bathrooms have plenty of old tradition in Japan.

Originally, the act of offering to the gods changed to “I’ll give you some paper, so don’t behave suspiciously,” and the toilet god became more of a yokai over time, with people asking, “Shall I give you red paper, or blue (or white) paper?”

After the war, there were a lot of old traditions that were left behind, and created the foundation for new ones. Gods and goddesses became ghosts and spirits, and only the skeletons of the legends reminiscent the old tales.

Can You Survive an Encounter with Aka Manto?

Aka Manto is one of Japan’s deadliest urban legends, a spirit that proves you’re never truly safe—even in the most private places. But is there an end to the legend where you actually will survive?

If asked about what paper you want, there are two choices recommended.

You say, “I don’t need any paper.”

You say nothing and calmly leave the stall.

If you’re lucky, Aka Manto lets you go. If not… well, you’ll be another restroom horror story.

So the next time you step into a restroom, especially one with a suspiciously empty last stall, ask yourself:

Do you really need to go?

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References:

Aka manto | Yokai.com

赤マント – Wikipedia

青ゲットの殺人事件 – Wikipedia

赤い紙、青い紙 – Wikipedia

青ゲット殺人事件――都市伝説となった事件 – オカルト・クロニクル

http://snarkmori.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-136.html

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The Legend of Toire no Hanako-san: The Ghost Haunting School Toilets in Japan

9. April 2025 Mirror 1 Comment

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For decades now, students have been terrified of the encounter with Hanako-san, the toilet ghost said to haunt the bathrooms in Japanese schools. Said to have died in one of the stalls, she now lures students into their death.

In the dimly lit bathroom on the third floor in the school building, there is a third stall believed to be haunted. No one ever uses it, but someone dared you to go to it. It’s just a game, they said, and curious, you wanted to see for yourself, if the story is really true. If you knock three times on the third door and ask “Hanako, are you there?” you will hear a faint voice answering from the inside. “Yes,” the voice says.

The door opens and a girl with short hair and a red skirt drags you into the bathroom, never to come out again.

**Urban School Legends:** Japan have a rich universe of urban legends and ghost stories set at their school, on their way to school. Many of them are the product of a specific fear in society, some are remnants of old folklore and tradition. The tale of the toilet ghost, Hanako-san looks to be a bit of both.

The Legend of Hanako-san

Hanako-san’s origins are a mystery wrapped in a horror story. There have been many versions of the school ghost story of Toire no Hanako-san (トイレの花子 (はなこ)さん), meaning Hanako oof the toilet, over the years.

Unlike some ghosts that belong purely to folklore, Hanako-san’s story has adapted to the times. She appears in horror movies, manga, anime, and video games, keeping her legend alive and well. In fact, she’s so famous that even outside Japan, people know her name. She’s been compared to Bloody Mary, Slender Man, and even the Girl from The Ring—but Hanako-san came first, and she’s still one of the most feared spirits in Japan.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Japan

Toire no Hanako-san is often described as a young girl with a short bob and wearing red, often a red suspender skirt or school uniform with a white dress shirt, making her visual constant figure throughout the many variations of her legend and origin.

**School Uniform:** Although not explicitly stated, the appearance of Hanako-san is most likely a school uniform, naturally so as she was said to be a student dying in the school bathrooms. Her colors of red and white however seems to be from much older times and is the same colors they used when worshiping the ancient toilet gods.

The Victim of Bullying

The modern version of the toilet ghost in Japanese girl’s schools bathrooms paints Toire no Hanako-san as a victim of relentless school bullying. Through the many versions of Hanako-san, it seems the way she died reflects a real threat the current society focuses on and fears. Is this the students biggest fear in modern times?

Humiliated and tormented, Toire no Hanako-san sought refuge in the bathroom, where she ended her life. Now, she haunts the very place where she was last seen, waiting for someone to notice her.

The Girl Killed in the Bathroom

Another version suggests Hanako-san was the victim of a violent crime, perhaps another fear that really took hold of parents and students in the more modern era of Japan, after the war ended. Toire no Hanako-san was hiding in the bathroom from someone out to hurt her.

In some version it was from an abusive parent and she had her hair bobbed like that to hide the scars from the beating.

Some say that she was hiding from a deranged killer. No matter who it was, they found her. Some say she was stabbed, others say she was strangled—either way, Toire no Hanako-san never made it out alive.

The World War II Bombing Tragedy

One of the most widely accepted tales places Hanako-san’s death in the 1940s, during World War II and is perhaps one of the earliest iterations of the urban legend. In 1944, the alarm went off and she was hiding in the school bathroom during an air raid. In some versions she was too afraid to leave the bathrooms. Some say that the children were playing hide and seek and she was hiding in the toilet and didn’t even hear when the alarm went off.

A bomb hit the school building, with most children having been safely evacuated. But Toire no Hanako-san was trapped, and the bomb killed her in the stall as the school burned down. Her spirit never left the toilet.

When Did the Legend Start?

The Legend has been around for a long time now, and is traced back to at least the 1950s. Along with many urban legends at that time, it gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s when children spent a lot of the time at school and an occult revival boom swept over Japan, making people particularly interested in urban legends and ghost stories.

But what happened in the 1950s that created this legend?

The Power of Toilet Ghosts: Hanako-san Isn’t Alone

According to a different Japanese tradition, the toilet god was said to be a blind man holding a spear in his hand. The Ainu people of far northern Japan and the Russian Far East believed that the Rukar Kamuy, their version of a toilet god, would be the first to come to help in the event of danger. Most often, it was a benevolent god, but it happened, like in Okinawa, that the God could become a place of haunting evil spirits. The fuuru nu kami, or “god of the toilet” from the Ryūkyū Shintō of the Ryukyu Islands is the family protector of the area of waste. The pig toilet, lacking this benevolent god, could become a place of evil influence and potential haunting because of the accumulation of waste matter, rejected and abandoned by the human body. This version of the spirits residing in toilets is more reminiscent of the Korean Cheuksin (厠神): South Korea’s Vengeful Toilet Goddess.

Often the gods were given red or white girl dolls and flower decorations in the toilets. Today the tradition of worshiping toilet gods more or less gone, although toilets are often still decorated with flowers. This has also been a theory as to why Hanako is said to wear white and red clothes. Also her name, Hanako (花子), which consists of two Japanese letters meaning “Flower” and “Child” is said to come from this belief.

**Toilet Gods:** Often leaving little dolls or idols for the toilet dolls, they have also connected this tradition when the legend became a ghost story. Here from the movie, Hanako-san of the Toilet from 2013 about the urban legend. *Watch here*

Although most toilet gods are of a very masculine figure, there are examples of an old goddess from China that might have influenced the legend as well. The story of The Lady of the Privy, the Purple Maiden or Zigu as she is called, was said to be a concubine who was killed in the toilet, coming back as a toilet ghost.

Other Toiler Ghosts

Believe it or not, Hanako-san isn’t the only terrifying restroom spirit in Japanese folklore. Bathrooms, especially in schools, seem to be prime ghost real estate. Maybe it’s the isolation, the eerie silence, or just the general creep factor of public restrooms, but whatever the reason, Hanako-san has some supernatural company.

Other Bathroom Horrors in Japan:

Aka Manto (赤マント, “The Red Cloak”)

A male and malevolent spirit that appears in school restrooms and is said to preferre the last stall in the women’s toilet in school and public restrooms. Once you sit down for business you hear a male voice and asks you a simple question:

“Do you want red paper or blue paper?”

Pick red? You’re slashed to death, covering the walls in blood.

Pick blue? You’re strangled until you turn blue.

Pick neither? You can try to run, but many say he kills you anyway.

Kashima Reiko (加島礼子) or Teke Teke

A ghost with no legs who haunts school restrooms. She lost her lower half in a train accident, and now she crawls around, asking people where her legs are. She is also haunting urban areas and train stations at night, often then called Teke Teke, the sound she makes by dragging herself on her hands and elbows.

If you don’t answer correctly, she’ll cut off your legs and take them for herself.

Clearly, Japan takes its bathroom horror very seriously.

Summoning Hanako-san: A Dare You’ll Regret

In later years, a game was created around the legend of Hanako-san. If you’ve got a death wish (or just an unhealthy curiosity), you can summon Hanako-san—but be warned: not everyone who calls her walks away unscathed.

**Popular Media:** As a popular story, Hanako-san has been adapted into plenty of movies, animes, books and even one Japanese music artist is emulating her. This helps keep the legend of her alive. Here *from the movie, Toire No Hanako San Shin Gekijyo Ban.* *Watch here*

Here’s how it works:

Find a school restroom—specifically, the third stall of the third-floor girls’ bathroom.

Knock three times on the stall door.

Ask: “Hanako-san, are you there?” (花子さん、いますか？, Hanako-san, imasu ka?)

And then?

If she’s not there, congratulations, you live another day.

If she is there, you might hear a soft giggle, a faint whisper, or the distant echo of a child’s voice saying, “Yes, I’m here.”

If you’re really unlucky, the stall door slowly creaks open, revealing… something you should never have seen.

What happens next depends on the version of the legend:

Best-case scenario? Hanako-san just disappears. Worst-case scenario? A pale hand reaches out, dragging you inside the stall—where you vanish forever.

In some legends you can ask her to play a gay, and she agrees, asking what to play. If you say “Let’s play choking”, she will actually be choked to death… again.

In Yamagata they probably have the most bonkers version of the legend where you call out Hanako when you leave the toilet. If she responds in a displeased voice, you know something bad will happen. They also have a variation of the legend where Hanako-san actually is a three meter long lizard that eats anyone when it lures them towards it with its girly voice. So that is that…

In Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture there is Hanako san in the girl’s toilet and a Yosuke-san in the boy’s toilet. If you walk around the toilet three times in the boy’s toilet and call out for Hanako-san, a bloody hand will appear from the toilet. If you call out his name, you have three seconds to run away, or you will be killed.

Why Is Hanako-san Still So Popular?

Despite being a legend that dates back decades, Hanako-san refuses to fade into history. She still haunts schools today, with students daring each other to summon her, and rumors of real sightings still circulating.

So, let’s be honest: if you ever find yourself alone in a Japanese school at night, standing in front of the third stall on the third floor…

Are you really going to knock?

Maybe. Maybe not.

But if you do, and you hear a soft giggle from behind the door, I suggest running. Fast.

Because Hanako-san is waiting.

And she never left.

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References:

トイレの花子さん – Wikipedia

A-Yokai-A-Day: Hanako-san (or “Hanako of the Toilet”) | 妖怪シリーズ：トイレの花子さん | MatthewMeyer.net

Toilet god – Wikipedia

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The Legend of Hanako-san

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Other Toiler Ghosts

Other Bathroom Horrors in Japan:

Summoning Hanako-san: A Dare You’ll Regret

Why Is Hanako-san Still So Popular?

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An online magazine about the paranormal, haunted and macabre. We collect the ghost stories from all around the world as well as review horror and gothic media.