On your most recent trip abroad, were you out in the night, wondering if anything was watching you from the darkness? Let’s explore some nocturnal folklore from around the world and put names to those spirits of the night. 

Hidebehind

The Hidebehind is an American folktale. 

It originated amongst loggers and pioneers who were new to America, living and working in a new frontier. 

The Hidebehind is difficult to see. It’s slender, dark, and the size of a bear. It has the ability to contort its shape to hide. And the creature will always hide. Even if you try to stare it down, it will stay hidden until you turn away. 

Now, let’s say the Hidebehind catches you!

It grabs you from behind and takes you back to its lair. It survives off of intestines. And – that’s the end of you!

Is there Hidebehind repellent?

Absolutely there is! It has a strong aversion to alcohol. The drunker you are, the safer you are. 

The Hidebehind is a representation of the fear of the unknown and the anxieties of American settlers. 

Amarok

The Amarok comes from Indigenous folklore. 

It’s the story of a giant wolf passed down through the tradition of oral storytelling. 

Amarok is a giant wolf known for its strength and ferocity. Normally wolves stay in a pack, but Amarok is a solitary hunter. It’s large, cunning, and has sharp claws. If you hear it howl, it usually means death is imminent. 

Amarok symbolizes the harshness of the Arctic environment and the isolation one might endure while living there. 

Slender Man

Slender Man is an internet-born urban legend. Originally developed through a photoshop contest in 2009, it has since become a well-known spirit of the night. It’s origin story has evolved over the last two decades through the internet. 

He is a tall, thin, featureless, pale-faced being. He wears a black suit and has tentacle appendages. 

This featureless being stalks and traumatizes his victims, which are usually children and young adults. 

Slender Man symbolizes the anxieties of reality versus fiction and, quite the new concept, fears of the digital world. 

Betobeto-san

Of all the spirits of the night, Betobeto-san is my favorite!

Originating from Japanese Folklore, specifically in the Iwate Prefecture, Betobeto-san is the ultimate creep!

He is the soul of a deceased individual, one who was associated with a certain path in life. This legend has been passed down for generations. He is also associated with old paths and walkways.

Betobeto-san is invisible; he is heard and felt, not seen. You know he’s in your presence when you hear footsteps accompanying you on your way. Oftentimes, the footsteps will stop when you stop, really rounding out the entire unsettling experience. 

This spirit of the night represents the connection with the afterlife, especially on a spiritual level. It’s still a favorite ghost story to tell in Japan today. 

Dullahan

This creature is from Irish/Celtic folklore and is quite the beauty. Tasked with collecting the souls from the deceased, the Dullahan is not a spirit you’d be happy to meet. 

The Dullahan is a headless horseman, riding a black horse and carrying its head under its arm. It’s said the head has a gnarly grin and is lit up like a lantern to help guide the Dullahan through the darkness. 

A Dullahan sighting is rare, but of course, rather ominous. If the creature stops riding by you, you’re destined to die. It might even call out your name!

The Dullahan symbolizes mortality, fear of death, and the unknown aspects of the afterlife. 

Skinwalker

The Skinwalker is a creature from Navajo and other Indigenous folklore. It’s often associated with witchcraft, shape-shifting, and malevolent behavior. It’s a feared entity with powerful abilities. 

It is believed the Skinwalker is capable of transforming into animals or other people. 

Encounters with Skinawlkers are often described as unsettling and eerie. Witnesses may report seeing a creature that an change shape, exhibiting behaviors and abilities beyond what is normal for an animal or human. 

The Skinwalker represents fear, the unknown, and the blurred boundaries between the natural and supernatural. 

Yuki-onna

Translated as “Snow Woman”, Yuki-onna is a legendary spirit from Japanese folklore. It is associated with winter and is known for its ethereal beauty and chilling nature. 

The Yuki-onna legend has been a part of Japanese folklore for centuries. She is a beautiful, pale woman dressed in a white kimono. She blends in with the snowy landscape and can be hard to see and also has the ability to vanish into the snow and reappear at will. 

You can come across Yuki-onna during a heavy snowfall. She may appear to travelers or lost individuals, freezing them with her icy breath or touch. In some versions, she promises to spare those she comes in contact with as long they promise to keep the encounter a secret. 

Yuki-onna symbolizes the harshness of winter and the unpredictability of nature. It also represents the ephemeral nature or beauty and the idea of impermanence. 

Pontianak

Now – if you’ve been around this blog for awhile, you’ll know I wrote about Pontianaks awhile ago! You can find the article HERE. Pontianaks are the ultimate spirits of the night!

Pontianaks, which are also known as Kuntilanak, are a female vampiric spirit in Southeast Asian folklore. It is particular to Malay and Indonesian folklore.

The legend of Pontianak is deeply rooted in Malay and Indonesian folklore. It originated from the superstitions and beliefs surrounding death, childbirth, and the supernatural. 

The Pontianak depicts a woman in a white dress, with long, unkempt hair and blood-red eyes. It’s appearance can be alluring at first, but it has sharp nails and a horrifying, vengeful aspect that it reveals later. 

Encountering the Pontianak typically happens at night, and it preys upon men. The Pontianaks can target mostly those who have committed sins or wrongdoings. Its presence may be accompanied by a strong floral fragrance that suddenly turns foul. 

Pontianaks symbolize the fear of deaths, the consequences of sin, and the mysteries of the afterlife. 

Want More Spirits Of The Night And Folklore?

You know we’re all about Folklore and Folktales around here. Make sure you check out other folklore from around the world HERE.