Teke Teke – Japan
In Northern Japan, legend has it that a young Japanese woman fell onto a railway line, was sliced in half by an oncoming train and became a vengeful spirit. Now, as Teke Teke, she haunts the night, her upper body dragging along the ground, searching for victims. If she catches you, she’ll slice you in half too, mimicking her gruesome fate.
The Hairy Hands – United Kingdom
In the rugged landscapes of Devon, UK, a spine-tingling legend looms known as the Hairy Hands. Along the eerie Dartmoor road, travelers have reported their steering wheels being seized by phantom, hairy hands. This legend dates as far back as 1910, and reports are still made to this day about people losing control of their car to spectral grips.
La Llorona – Mexico
Dating back to colonial times, La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, is a spectral figure known for her mournful wails along Mexico’s rivers. According to the legend, she drowned her own children and now searches endlessly for them, seeking to drag others into the depths of the water. Her eerie cries serve as a warning of her malevolent presence.
Spring-Heeled Jack – United Kingdom
In 19th-century England, reports of a sinister figure known as Spring-Heeled Jack circulated. He was described as a tall, thin man with clawed hands and the ability to make incredible leaps, jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Jack would terrorize and assault unsuspecting victims, often appearing suddenly in the darkness.
The curse of the Crying Boy – United Kingdom
This ominous legend revolves around a seemingly innocuous print of a painting of a crying boy, originally by artist Giovanni Bragolin. Bizarrely, the painting has been linked to numerous house fires across the UK, the first of which was in 1985. Owners of the painting often report unexplained blazes in their homes, prompting eerie speculation that the artwork carries a malevolent curse.
The Black Volga – Eastern Europe
Across several Eastern European countries, a chilling legend from the 1960s tells of a menacing black Volga car that materializes on remote roads, manned by supernatural entities or sinister abductors. This eerie vehicle is infamous for its association with tales of child kidnappings and disturbing encounters in the desolate darkness of the night.
The Well to Hell – Siberia
First reported in 1989, the so-called ‘Well to Hell’ is an alleged nine-mile deep borehole dug by Soviet engineers in Siberia. According to the urban tale, upon breaching the nine mile mark, the engineers discovered a cavity. With a heat resistant microphone, they listened for any identifiable sounds to determine what this cavity could be, and to their horror heard the tormented screaming of the damned, trapped for eternity.
The Vanishing Hotel Room – Paris
First written about in 1897, a French urban legend has it that a woman fell ill while on a journey in Paris with her daughter. As the woman rested in their hotel room, her daughter ventured across town to fetch a prescription. Upon the daughter’s return, she was shocked to discover that her mother and the hotel room they had occupied had vanished without a trace.
The Red Rooms – Japan
A story started in Japan in the 90s, legend has it that while browsing the internet, the victim would be presented with a red pop-up with black text saying “Do you like the Red Room?” Then, the screen would turn red, displaying a list of names of the Red Room’s victims. They will later be found dead in their home with their blood painting the walls red.
The Vanishing Hitchhiker – France
In France, there’s an urban legend dating back to 1870 about a hitchhiking ghost known as La Dame Blanche (The White Lady). According to the legend, a ghostly woman in white is often seen hitchhiking along remote roads. Good Samaritans who offer her a ride claim she vanishes from the backseat before reaching her destination. It’s a spine-chilling story that has been passed down through generations.
