A Banshee is a female creature from Irish folklore and traditionally regarded as a type of Aos Sí or fairy. The word comes from the Celtic "Bean Sí" and originally means "woman of the Sídhe"; Sídhe being the designation for the hills inhabited by the Fair Folk.

Banshees are most well known for their wailing and their association with death. According to most legends, the lament of the Banshee signifies the approach of death for those who hear it, or for a family member.

In modern fantasy works, the Banshee is usually represented as a sinister spectral creature, sometimes capable of attacking with glass-shattering sonic screams which may even be fatal.

Works featuring Banshees

Literature

• Harry Potter series
• Alistair Grim's Odditorium series

Comics

• Ghostbusters

Film

• Banshee!!!
• Darby O'Gill and the Little People
• Scream of the Banshee

Television

• Catscratch
• Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers
• Destination Truth
• DuckTales
• Extreme Ghostbusters
• Gargoyles
• Lost Girl
• The Real Ghostbusters
• Supernatural
• Teen Wolf

Tabletop games

• Dungeons & Dragons

Video games

• God of War: Chains of Olympus
• The Witcher
• World of WarCraft

Gallery