Ghosts

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INTRODUCTION
Ghosts are the spirits of dead humans who have unfinished business in the living world. These disembodied spirits often haunt humans, usually their relatives or people who may have done them wrong when they were alive.The term "ghost" is believed to have come from the Old German "gaisto-z." Terms like apparition,phantom, poltergeist and spirit are used as synonyms.

HISTORY & HUMAN INTERACTION
The belief in ghosts or spirits of the dead, perhaps goes back to the Ancient Egyptians, who believed there were three aspects to humans, one of which was the soul or spirit, and when humans died, the soul or spirit would leave the body, usually for a destination in the heavens (see: Egyptian Book of the Dead). Ghost myths are reported in every culture on the planet, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, African, etc.

Ghosts are spirits, but it is unclear if all spirits are ghosts. For example, the ancients believed that all objects, animate or inanimate, have spirits. It seems somewhat foolish to believe trees or rocks can haunt people. Therefore, ghosts are always thought of as human; however,there have been stories of ghost ships, or trains, which have similar characteristics to human ghosts. Often these ships or trains were involved in some wreckage or disappeared without a trace before reappearing suddenly (see:Flying Dutchman). Many people also believe in haunted houses that are occupied by restless spirits,and the house is usually the site of a tragic incident.

Ghosts are culturally universal. In many ancient societies and cultures, ancestor worship--the belief that the bones and remains of one's immediate ancestor was sacred and would bring a person good luck later in life--was prevalent. Ancestor ghosts were good ghosts.

However, many of these same societies believed that there were vengeful or angry spirits who were jealous of the living or were trapped on Earth due to their evil doings as humans. These trapped or venegeful spirits would try to cause trouble for the living.

Rites were often performed to prevent these vengeful or evil spirits from rising up.


 * Humans use amulets and good luck rituals to protect them from ghosts.
 * Some cultures believe planting "houseleek" all over the roof top will prevent ghosts from getting inside.
 * Some also believe to prevent demons or vengeful spirits from utilizing the form of a dead one, you should cover all the mirrors in your house to prevent ghosts from using them as portals from the dead dimension.
 * If you believe you're being followed by a ghost, you should jump over a stream, river or lake since ghosts cannot swim and cannot follow you over.
 * Create an hexagon and write the letters agla inside.
 * Part the Bible at the center with a red ribbon and put it above the newborn's head while she or he sleeps; it'll prevent ghosts from harming the baby.

CHARACTERISTICS AND PORTRAYAL OF GHOSTS
Ghosts are often immaterial and transparent spirits. They cannot cannot mingle with any material or physical objects (although they've been known to occasionally throw or move objects). Ghosts cannot kill humans directly. They do so through driving them to kill themselves, haunting them until they've turn clinically insane. Ghosts do this by appearing as dead relatives or animals, such as cats or birds, like raven. In Ghost lore, seeing one's double was a sign of death. In Celtic mythology, the banshee, vengeful spirit also symbolized death.Sometimes, ghosts are demons who inhibit the form of deceased humans for the purpose of trouble or possession. The White Lady and Lady of the Lake are two common characters in ghost lore, often they lead men and children to their deaths, usually in ponds or lakes.

GHOSTS IN REAL LIFE
Ghost sightings are arguably the most frequent among people. The popularity of ghosts is explained by its cross-cultural origins. That people from both "primitive" and "modern" cultures continue to believe in ghosts, is telling. Shows like The Ghost Hunter and Ghost Trackers where paranormal detectives investigate ghost stories remain very popular, despite "ghosts" being dismissed by scientists as frivolous. Other shows like Medium and Ghost Whisperer about women who can communicate with the dead continue to draw in audiences. (photos like the right, claiming to capture a real ghost have never been substantiated)

GHOSTS IN POPULAR FLICKS
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, 1947 &1968

Carnival of Souls,1962

The Fog, 1980

Poltergeist,1982

Ghostbusters, 1984

High Spirits, 1988

Lady In White, 1988

Ghost, 1990

Ghost Dad, 1990

Casper, 1995

The Frighteners, 1996

The Sixth Sense, 1999

The House on Haunted Hill, 1999

The Others, 2001

Ghost Ship,2002

Reeker,2006

Skeleton Key, 2005

The Haunting in Connecticut, 2005


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