There is much debate on the origins of the folklore ritual which attempts to invoke the appearance of Bloody Mary. While staring into a mirror in a dark, candle-lit room, say her name three times and she will appear. Descriptions vary, though typically she is described as being a corpse, a witch, or a ghostly form - often covered in blood.
A number of historical figures have been cited as the possible source, including Mary I of England, who put to death over 300 Protestant dissenters during her reign in the 1500's. In the 17th century, Elizabeth Bathory, a Hungarian countess, allegedly tortured and killed over 600 young women, bathing in their blood to keep herself young. On American soil, Mary Worth is a strong contender for the legend. She was rumored to have killed slaves escaping the South via the Underground Railroad.
Pennsylvania has its own tale, offering another origin for Bloody Mary. Her name was Mary Gansmueller. In the late 1700's, in a village in Lancaster County, children began to disappear. An investigation led to Mary's small cottage in a wooded area nearby. Mary was an elderly woman who sold herbal remedies to the surrounding villages. During the search, townspeople noticed her appearance had changed - she was now much younger. Unmarked graves were discovered in the surrounding woods. She had murdered the children and used their blood to regain her youth.
She was dragged from her home and burned at the stake. Before her death, she screamed a curse from the flames. If anyone mentioned her name before a mirror, she would avenge herself upon them.
Despite the nebulous origins of the urban legend, it's a genuinely spooky concept. Once, when I was very young, my sister must have learned of Bloody Mary and wanted to see if she was the real deal. With a keen sense of self preservation, she placed ME into our family's upstairs bathroom, lit a candle, turned out the lights, and forced me to call to Miss Bloody Mary. I was horrified and truly believed I was about to see some horrid ghost in the mirror. I said her name three times.
Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary
Thankfully, no one showed up.
My sister was extremely disappointed.
