Ghost Riders are beings that at nightfall, they wander between the supernatural and the earthly world, it is then when they begin their runaway race terrifying whoever gets in their way
Origin[]
At the end of 1790 in the surroundings of the small community of Tarrytown, New York, there was a lonely valley, home of demons and spectral beings. Between these there was one that regals over others: the spirit of a decapitated rider who crossed the place at full speed on a black and imposing steed. There were those who believed that it was the soul of a hesse soldier whom a cannon bullet ripped his head as he galloped in battle. Since then, his ghost was dedicated to wandering through the Sleepy Hollow Valley in search of his lost testa. His body - thought - he was buried in the Camposanto next to the old church of the town, where some brave claimed to have seen the demoniad horse tied to one of the tombs just before dawn. If someone had the bad luck to be in the forest at night, it ran the risk of meeting the rider. This was content with letting hear the noise of the helmets of his beast to provoke panic. But other times, if his victim was mounted, he placed his pair or galloped behind her, chasing her in a crazy race after which only those who were fast enough and right-handed lived to tell him. One of the popular stories in which he could inspire, is the so-called "wild hunting". According to the most expanded version of the myth, this is a game of horse-mounted ghost hunters that together with their enormous sabues, from hell, are immersed in an unbridled race through heaven and earth.
Some believe that these sorts are responsible for pursuing sinners at night and those not baptized, as it relates in a legend of the Netherlands, in which when they die, the spectrum of the concubine of a Catholic priest is persecuted by These beings, letting out screaming that, along with the barking of dogs and the trot of ghostly horses, they swell the blood of who hears them. Depending on the region where the legend is counted, this group can be led by a warrior or lord of great importance, such as King Arthur of Great Britain, or a deity, as in Nordic countries, where it was believed that it was God Odin Mounting back on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir. In one of the many versions of English folklore, who headed the march was King Herla, Monarch that after being invited to the mountain of the dwarves was warned not to get away from his horse until a hunting dog that was in his saddle down first. Three hundred years later it is said that both he and his delegation continue to gallop. The leader of wild hunting could also be a character in the history of each locality.
As in the German legend, where a knight so fond of hunting dared to continue his pastime even on Sunday, a day of peeking. In one of these days he pursued his prey to the feet of the altar of a church in the middle of the ceremony, and itself killed him. The priest angry at the lack of respect cursed the hunter. From the floor came several huge dogs that took the gentleman between his teeth and made pieces. Since then, during the storm nights you can see the spectrum in search of some prey that should lead to hell. The delegation that accompanied these cursed beings was composed of lost souls that in Tropo passed at high speed, presaging catastrophes, wars, epidemics and death. In some latitudes, only the terrible howl of the hounds was heard barking similarly to thunder. When some unfortunate came to meet them, the only way to save life was to lie down, and cover his head, then the dogs and horses passed over without hurting him. On the other hand, if I did not, he could get caught by the sequito and be dragged hundreds of kilometers away from his home, or die run over. If he perished, his destiny was to become a rider more than this terrible squad, which sometimes seen together had the appearance of a great white horse. In the Ibero-American legends there are also some ghostly riders.
In Mexico the best known in the "Charro Negro", a whole he walks on a jet horse through the streets of the villages offering a sack of coins to whom he sees it; Those who accept will be condemned. Another story is that of "El No Head", this Ghost originally from Guanajuato is the soul in pain of the fragrance Gregory Paredes, who believed hidden a treasure that he intended to give to the poor; However, he died and was decapitated without achieving his mission, so now he wanders around the area riding his horse in search of someone who unentarate the treasure and distributes him between people. One of the oldest stories in which a decapitated rider appears, is the medieval romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written at the end of the 14th century. In it, a man whose skin and clothes are green reaches Camelot, where King Arthur and his knights of the round table are located. Challenging, the challenges them to fight against him and attempt a blow, which promises them to return after a year. Sir Gawain, nephew of Arthur and one of his most brave men, offers to fight and, after a fierce combat, decapita the stranger. While all those present look at the head rolling on the ground, the body of the green stranger gets up to pick it up. Then he puts her under her arm and leaves, not without first remembering Sir Gawain that next year would be his turn to cut his head. A year later Sir Gawain fulfills his promise and searches for him to suffer the same destiny, showing his honor and value in this way. The vision of a horse-riding beheaded man produces a primal fear and a certain terrible fascination, which could explain why this type of fantastic stories frighten boys and great despite the time.
List of Ghost Riders[]
- Headless Horseman
- Charro Negro
- Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
- Sombrerón
- Dullahan
- Sir Gawain