Banshee

A banshee is a ghost or fairy that originates from Irish and Scottish folklore. Depicted as a messenger from the realm of the dead, it takes the form of a human woman when it enters the mortal plane. It emits a shrill cry of lamentation when a person is about to die, alerting the dying individual's family of their imminent passing.

'Banshee' comes from the Gaelic 'Bean Sidhe' (Bean Sí (Irish), Bean Shìth (Scottish), bean shith (Scottish). The Banshee is also known to wash the bloodstains from clothes, an omen of death. Banshees are seen in three forms. A young, beautiful woman, a matronly figure or a distressed hag. Banshees are frequently described as dressed in white or grey, often having long, pale hair which they brush with a silver comb.

Trivia

• Sylvanas Windrunner from the videogame series Warcraft, is a High Elf turned Banshee Queen by Arthas. She is ruler of the Forsaken and resides in Undercity.