urban legends urban ghost stories

One well - known urban legend is the 'Bloody Mary'. Supposedly, if you go into a dark bathroom, light some candles, and say 'Bloody Mary' three times while looking into the mirror, a ghostly figure will appear. Another is the 'Vanishing Hitchhiker'. People claim to have picked up a hitchhiker, only for the hitchhiker to disappear from the car later. There are also stories about haunted houses in the middle of cities, where strange noises and apparitions are reported.

They can also originate from local history and folklore. In some cities, there were tragic events in the past like murders or accidents. These events can be the basis for ghost stories. People might start to claim they see the spirit of the victim. Urban legends can come from things like rumors about a particular business or place. If a store has a reputation for being strange, stories can build up around it. For instance, if the store has odd - looking mannequins, people might start a legend that they come to life at night.

Some urban legends are based on true stories, but they often get distorted over time. For example, the legend of Bloody Mary has some roots in real - life events, but the spooky version we hear today is highly exaggerated.

The unknown is the scariest element. In urban legends like the Chupacabra, we don't really know if it exists or not. It's a creature that supposedly attacks livestock and drains their blood. The mystery around it makes it terrifying. In ghost stories, it's often the idea that the ghosts can be anywhere and we can't see them until it's too late.

One famous urban legend is the story of Bloody Mary. It is said that if you go into a bathroom with a candle, turn off the lights, and say 'Bloody Mary' three times into the mirror, a terrifying apparition will appear. Another is the vanishing hitchhiker. A driver picks up a hitchhiker who then mysteriously disappears from the car.

The scariest might be the story of La Llorona. It's a Hispanic legend about a weeping woman who drowned her children and now roams, crying for them. The idea of a mother who killed her own kids and is now a vengeful spirit is truly terrifying.

The connection to the unknown and the supernatural. These Philippine urban legends involve creatures and spirits that are not of this world. The mystery surrounding them, like where they come from and what their true intentions are, makes the stories extra scary. For instance, the Kapre living in the ancient balete trees - there's a sense of the otherworldly about it that sends chills down your spine.

Some true urban legends ghost stories come from historical events. Take the Amityville Horror. The Lutz family's claims were based on their experiences in the house, which had a history of a previous murder. This connection to a real and tragic event made the story more believable and spreadable. Also, in places with a long history like Europe, old castles and buildings have stories that date back centuries. These often start with the experiences of the people who lived or worked there and were passed down.

Most of the time, urban legends are fiction. They're made up to be entertaining or to convey some sort of moral or cautionary message. They might have elements that seem realistic, but they're not factual.

In my opinion, most are urban legends. True serial killer cases are terrifying enough on their own, but when people start adding ghostly aspects, it's often to create a more sensational story. However, in some cultures, there are superstitions that link killers to the supernatural. But there's rarely any solid evidence to prove these true serial killer ghost stories are real.