Now that spooky season is upon us you are probably seeing ghost stories left and right. But, did you know, there are different types of ghosts? Between different cultures there are different portraits of the ghost. European ghosts are usually based on specific people; Eastern ghosts are typically a classification of ghosts, but classifications from all over exist. I have compiled a small list of ghost from around the globe for you to enjoy this spooky season:

Poltergeist – Poltergeist is a German word that translates, literally, to “to rattle/shake ghosts.” As the name implies, these ghosts are the ones that rattle doorknobs and push books off shelves.

Apperission- These are, simply put, visions. They are when a ghost blinks into existence for a moment, sometimes only in photos or videos. They are only ever seen, maybe saying a limited few words. 

Ghost Orbs- Ghost orbs are small spheres of dim light that show up on cameras, both traditional and digital. Supposedly, they are spirits briefly passing through the living world.

Shade- A shade is said to be a ghost that is both in the underworld and on our plane of existence. They are shadows in the shape of a creature, darkening the area of wherever they roam.

Witte Wieven- The Witte Wieven are described as wise, vengeful women. These women were herbalists and phycicks in life who’s souls stayed on earth to help or hurt people as they see fit.

Myling- These are the saddest ghosts on this list. They are the spirits of children who were never buried. They are to walk the earth until they are given a proper burial and put to rest.

Vanishing Hitchhiker- This is the only American ghost on this list. As the name implies these are  figures that appear along highways, usually just standing but sometimes get into a car before vanishing. They are said to be the souls of hitch hikers who died before they could reach their destination.

There are many more tales of ghosts, ranging from happy and fluffy to nightmare fuel. This list has only been a sampling of ghosts from around the globe. What ghosts do you like best, the tragic tale of the Mylings, or the mysterious shade, maybe even the wise Witte Wieven?