The Truth About The Bloody Mary Legend

Anybody who has ever been to a slumber party has heard some version of the Bloody Mary urban legend. There are a lot of variations, but all involve turning off the lights, grabbing a candle or flashlight, staring into the dark abyss of the mirror, and attempting to invoke a malevolent spirit to emerge and mutilate you and your friends.

In an essay titled “Bloody Mary in the Mirror: A Ritual Reflection of Pre-Pubescent Anxiety” folklorist Alan Dundes collects a number of versions of the legend. Some people report the story having religious connotations, others say her name must be chanted a certain number of times, or just until her ghostly form appears. Often Bloody Mary is headless, sometimes she comes out of the mirror to scratch your face off, and in other versions she sucks you into the spirit realm. Spoiler alert: the only thing that will happen from chanting “Bloody Mary” into the mirror is you might get a little spooked. However, as with all urban legends if you look past the fantastical elements you’ll often kind some kernels of truth.

The woman in the mirror

Shutterstock

Various historic and mythical women have been identified as the specter in the mirror. Many people point to a witch named Mary Worth or Worthington (no relation to the comic of the same name), who is rumored to have lived anywhere from the days of the Salem witch trials, to the outskirts of Chicago in the 19th century. In Dundes’ essay he references research done by folklorist Janet Langlois who documented versions of the story where the woman is called Mary Whales, who is often identified as the protagonist of another urban legend, wherein a driver picks up a young female hitchhiker on a stormy night, only for her to turn out to be a ghost.

Dundes notes that all the variations have things in common, such as a female ghost, an abundance of blood, and that the ritual is specified to be performed in a bathroom mirror. He presents the theory that the Bloody Mary ritual is a reflection of young women’s anxieties about entering puberty. Whether that interpretation holds water or not, it is illustrative of how deep the roots of the legend go.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Operation Midnight Climax: The Sub-Project Of MKUltra You Didn't Know About

One of the strangest chapters in American history is one that stayed tightly under wraps for a long

History,Weird / 2021-10

Why Cary Grant Claimed Acid Trips Saved His Life

At the peak of his success, actor Cary Grant turned to a revolutionary new treatment being offered

Entertainment,Facts,History,Weird / 2021-08

Is Cannibalism Illegal In The U.S.? The Answer May Surprise You

According to Britannica, cannibalism has existed as "a widespread custom" in humanity for pretty

Facts,Weird / 2020-12

This Is How The Raëlism Cult Started

There are a couple ways that you could approach the question of how Raëlism began.If you ask a

Weird / 2020-08

Companies That Are Actually Benefiting From The Coronavirus

Millions of workers across the globe face unemployment and financial hardship amid the exponential

Weird / 2020-03

Is 'PigeonBot' The Future Of Drones?

Take a look at your standard post-apocalyptic killer robot dystopia and you'll notice a glaring

Weird / 2020-01

How The U.S. Government Tricked Hundreds Of Students Into Attending A Fake University

In the United States, higher education comes at a high cost. And in the case of for-profit

Weird / 2019-12

Craziest Things To Happen In The Sahara Desert

The Sahara desert is sometimes romanticized and sometimes villainized, but human beings will

Weird / 2018-03

Weird Things That Have Happened At The Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable places in the U.S., and when it comes to

Weird / 2017-12

The Insane True Story Of The Craziest Rocker In History

If resistance is a raised fist, GG Allin was its erect middle finger. The cocky rocker championed

Weird / 2017-11

Former Celebrities Who Now Have Normal Jobs

2Whatever happened to Frankie Muniz, that adorable kid from “Malcolm in the Middle,” or to the

The Biggest Brianna Maitland Theories: What Really Happened?

On March 19, 2004, 17-year-old Brianna Maitland was working her shift as a dishwasher at the Black

The Tragic Reason Gwen Stefani Became No Doubt's Lead Singer

It's hard to imagine the dynamic and attention-grabbing Gwen Stefani as a backup singer, but in her

How Carrie Fisher May Have Predicted Her Own Death

Actress Carrie Fisher died at the age of 60 on December 27, 2016, reported People Magazine. The

How Nicolaus Copernicus Became A Doctor Without Getting A Degree

Polish scientistNicolaus Copernicus is a titan of astronomy, largely thanks to his pioneering the

Here's What Could've Happened If JFK Survived His Assassination

Millions of Americans can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing on November 22,

Here's What The Bible Really Says About Immigration

In a 2021 paper published in the journal Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, the

The Ten Plagues Of Egypt Explained

One of the most famous stories of the Old Testament is how God, through the prophet Moses,

Tragic Details About Legendary Olympians

Up on the winners podium, holding a gold, silver, or bronze medal and with the crowd roaring and

Here's Why General Cornwallis Surrendered In The Battle Of Yorktown

As Mental Floss reports, a hypothetical "Battle of New York" may have played out in 1781 if George

How Serial Killer Todd Kohlhepp Was Finally Caught

One of the most notorious serial killers of modern times is Todd Kohlhepp, a 50-year-old convicted

The Real Reason The War Of 1812 Began

The War of 1812 pitted the United States against Great Britain, marking the first military conflict

The Tragic True Story Of The Man Who Directed 1931's Dracula

Released on Valentine's Day 1931, "Dracula" ushered in the golden age of horror and established

The Real Story Behind Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams'

When the album Rumours was released, Fleetwood Mac was already an established band. In fact,

This Is How Much Seth Rollins Is Really Worth

Seth Rollins is undoubtedly one of the biggest pro wrestlers to emerge in WWE over the last decade

The Spiritual Practice Of Self-Mummification

When you think of mummies you might envision those ACE bandage-wearing guys pulled from sarcophagi

How Trent Reznor Got Started In Music

Trent Reznor is one of the most singular musicians working in the industry today. Over the course

This Was Bruce Lee's Hidden Passion

Say the name Bruce Lee and people think of martial arts. His lightning-fast moves were a treat to

Best Strength Training Workouts for Beginners

There are many strength training workouts that beginners can enjoy. If you’re looking to tone up

The Truth Behind This NASA Astronaut's Alleged Space Crime

Most people grow up wanting to be athletes, doctors or astronauts. You know what job you don't hear

The woman in the mirror

Leave a Reply