I have always been intrigued by the concept of a banshee, likely due to my teenage admiration for the punk rock goddess Siouxsie, the lead singer of Siouxsie and the Banshees. The name evokes nostalgia for me while also igniting my imagination with its supernatural and mystical allure. Rooted in Irish and Celtic folklore, a banshee is believed to predict death by wailing or screaming. The banshee's cries serve as a warning to a family that death may be imminent; simply put, it is an omen of death.
The first recorded mentions of banshees date back to the 8th century, when stories spoke of women known as keeners who sang mournful songs to lament the passing of individuals. These keeners accepted alcohol as payment for their sorrowful songs, and since drinking was considered a sin, they were punished by becoming banshees. As I delved further into the lore surrounding banshees, I found a considerable amount of conflicting information. At one time, it was believed that every Irish family had its own banshee. Some descriptions portray banshees as beautiful, alluring beings who sing their sorrowful songs out of love and concern for the families they watch over. However, other accounts depict banshees as the spirits of young girls who were brutally murdered, lingering to warn their families of impending violent death.
On the darker side, banshees are sometimes characterized as vengeful spirits that take pleasure in causing death. Some legends even suggest that they can drive their victims mad with their wailing, provoking them to take their own lives or descend into insanity. Some particularly sinister descriptions portray banshees as old women with rotten teeth, blood-red eyes, and ragged clothing. Looking directly into their eyes is said to result in immediate death.
Given this last description, I was surprised to learn that the name "banshee" comes from the Irish phrase "bean sidhe," which means "woman of the fairy mound." I had never considered a connection between banshees and fairies. However, according to Irish folklore, a banshee is actually what remains of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the ancient gods of Ireland. After being defeated, these gods took refuge underground, with each living under a mound or hill, known as a sidhe. Thus, they are no longer referred to as gods but rather as fairies. Perhaps a banshee is not a fairy after all but rather a goddess who possesses the power to foresee death. One thing is certain: there remains much mystery surrounding the figure of the banshee. The wide variety of descriptions and origin stories keeps their ghostly presence elusive and otherworldly.
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