4 ghostly tales from Asia
Tales of the supernatural have often fascinated movie-goers and movie makers alike, with horror shows from both in and out of Hollywood gaining international appeal.
The recently released ‘Lights Out’, which opened in Singapore on Thursday (18 Aug) and has already been showing in Malaysia and the Philippines, is just the latest in a genre that appeals to those with the stomach for spirits and ghosts.
The movie also finds itself released during the period of the Hungry Ghost Festival, when some Chinese believe ghosts and spirits are free to roam the earth. But did you know Asia is also home to many other tales of the supernatural? Here are a few of the more well-known ones.
1) Lady Nak of Phra Khanong (Thailand)
The legend of Lady Nak of Phra Khanong first began in Thailand, which tells the story about a young lady who was pregnant but died when the love of her life, Mak, got shipped off to war.
However when her husband got back, he walked into his home to find both his wife and baby well and alive. They lived a super happy life, until he started to realise that he was actually living with ghosts.
When Mak decided to take cover in a temple to get rid of the spirits, Lady Nak got furious and started to haunt the whole of Phra Khanong.
She was eventually captured by an exorcist in a jar and thrown into a river. Till this very day, her shrine is still available in Bangkok if you are brave enough to visit.
2)
The Ap (Cambodia, Thailand, Laos)
(Photo: Wikimedia)
The story of The Ap (or Ahp) comes from Cambodia, but is also known as the Krasue comes in Thailand and the Kasu in Laos. Similar tales can also be found in Malaysia and Indonesia.
According to the myth, a young gorgeous woman went out one night for a walk when she encountered the floating head of a woman. The woman did not have a full body, but instead had bloody organs and a spine from under her head.
The story goes that the Ap would only appear to women who used black magic, who would in turn transform into an Ap because of their misdeeds. Other stories claim that relatives of those who practised witchcraft would be cursed to transform into such creatures.
An Ap or Krasue can change you by giving you a little bit of their saliva, so that means avoid kissing or taking beverages if you feel you may be in the presence of these spirits.
3) Pontianak (Malaysia, Indonesia)
It’s probably safe to say that if you grew up in Asia, you would have most definitely heard of the pontianak, which originates in Malaysia and Indonesia.
This female spirit is said to look similar to a vampire as she is really pale, yet very beautiful, has long dark hair and is always wearing white. According to legend, pontianaks are the ghosts of young women who die while pregnant.
A pontianak is said to kill its victims by ripping their stomachs out with its sharp fingernails, and locates its victims by the smell of laundry hung outside to dry. Pontianaks are also said to stay in banana trees during the day.
According to the tales, the only way to know that a pontianak is near is by the scent of flowers that would suddenly change into a horrid smell. Experieinced anything like that lately?
4) Hanako-san
One of the most popular ghosts that exist in Japan would have to be Hanako-san, said to be the spirit of a young girl from World War II.
According to the urban legend, if you go to any elementary school’s bathroom and head into the third stall, you will be able to find Hanako.
However, this is not a ghost that actively haunts you, rather, it needs you to call upon it. The technique involves a person knocking on the stall door three times and asking “Are you there, Hanako-san?”
You might just hear a response, and if you choose to enter the stall you will find a girl with short black hair wearing a red skirt standing inside.
Unfortunately, according to the tale, you will then be pulled into the toilet and killed.
