Weather often plays a role. For example, in many upland ghost stories, a sudden fog or storm is associated with the appearance of the ghost. Also, there are often tales of lost souls, like miners who died in accidents or settlers who met with misfortune.
Upland ghost stories often involve nature elements as well. There could be a haunted tree or a cursed spring. These elements tie in with the natural and somewhat wild nature of the uplands. The idea of something being 'untamed' in both the natural world and the spirit world seems to be a recurring theme.
In some upland regions, there's a story of a phantom horse and rider. People claim to see a spectral horse galloping across the upland fields at dusk. The rider is often described as a faceless figure. It could be related to a long - forgotten accident where a horseman lost his life on that very land.
One common element is the presence of spirits related to nature. For example, the Pontianak is often associated with the forests and jungles. Another element is the idea of revenge or unfinished business. Ghosts in Malay stories usually have a reason for haunting, like a wrong done to them during their lifetime.
One common element is the alluring appearance of the Yakshi. They are often described as extremely beautiful women, which is used to draw in their victims.
The nocturnal nature is also a common aspect. Vampire ghosts usually come out at night. Darkness is their realm, and they use it to their advantage to hunt. Supernatural powers like superhuman strength, the ability to transform into bats or wolves are also often seen in these stories. For example, Dracula could transform into a bat and fly away, making it difficult for his pursuers to catch him. They also often have a weakness, like a fear of sunlight or garlic, which gives the humans in the story a chance to defend themselves.
Madison might also be a character who gets trapped in a time loop in a ghost story. The ghosts could be causing this loop, and she has to figure out how to break free. Every time she tries to escape the haunted location, she ends up right back where she started. And during these loops, she might encounter different manifestations of the ghosts, each time learning a little more about their story and how to end the cycle.
Religious elements are also common. In Tibetan culture, Buddhism plays a significant role. So in ghost stories, there could be a karmic aspect. If someone has done wrong deeds, they might be haunted by a spirit as a form of punishment. Also, some spirits might be related to certain religious figures or concepts in a twisted way, like a corrupted form of a benevolent deity.
One common element is the presence of curses. In many Greek ghost stories, like that of the Lamia, a curse is what turns a normal being into a terrifying entity. Another element is the connection to the gods. Often, the gods' actions or wrath lead to the creation of these spooky beings. For example, Hera's curse on Lamia.
Well, in ghost Bangla stories, there are often elements related to the past. For example, the ghosts are usually victims of some sort of tragedy in the past, like drowning or being murdered. There is also the idea of a specific time when the ghosts are more active, usually at midnight. And the natural elements play a role too. Big trees or bodies of water are often associated with the presence of ghosts. Also, the feeling of dread and coldness is very common when the ghosts make their appearance, making the characters in the story feel a sense of impending doom.
Well, in Indian ghost stories, you often find spirits that are tied to a particular location. It could be because of an unfinished business. For instance, the spirit of the girl near the abandoned temple might have been trapped there because of some mystery related to her disappearance. Also, a lot of these stories involve a moral aspect. The wrongdoings that led to the creation of the ghost often teach a lesson. And the way the ghosts are described, usually as pale figures, is also a common feature. They often make their presence known through physical sensations felt by the living, like a cold breeze or a touch.
One common element is the presence of ancient or abandoned places like old palaces, forts or temples. These places are often believed to hold spirits because of their long history and the many events that might have occurred there.