Urban Legends Around The World

Urban Legends have been around for centuries. They are nearly everywhere. And although most urban legends tend to be made up by man itself, and are most likely not real, many people across the globe make reports online about sighting these things constantly. So let’s dive into a few of the most famous urban legends in the world.

The Hook Man

Referenced in many movies and shows, the hook man serves as a constant reminder to many people to be safe on the road. Although the exact origin of where the story came from is unknown, many people believe that it started in the 20th century, specifically around the 1950s or 60s. The story often depicts a young couple in a car parked on the side of the road. The couple is listening to the radio, when the news reports that an escaped murder with a hook for a hand had broken out of prison. In the story, the couple gets nervous and drives off. But when they start driving, they hear a screeching sound coming from the top of the car. When they get to their destination, they get out and find a hook stuck in the car’s roof. Normally the couple escapes alive, but in some versions of the story, they’re not so lucky. This urban legend serves as a reminder to people (Teenagers specifically) to be careful and aware everywhere you go, especially on the roads. 

BloodyMary 

Bloody Mary is a legend upon legends. When someone tells you to think of someone scary, BOOM, you think of her. But what really is her story? Well, this is how it typically goes. You walk into a room with a mirror and a candle. You chant her name 3 times and supposedly she will appear in her mirror. However, the legend has been changed over time, it’s been twisted and other versions have been made. For instance, in one story she appears and scratches out your eyes, or she drags you through the “mirror” world that she is from. Either way, it won’t end too well for you. In some stories she is a tragic misunderstood soul, and in others she’s simply a chaotic spirit never put to rest. But however the story goes, we can all agree on one thing. Some spirits are best left alone. 

The Loch Ness Monster

The Loch Ness Monster is a name that has struck fear into every person at one point in their life. Unlike the others on this list, the Loch Ness Monster is not considered a spirit or a ghost. Many people truly believe that this snake-like creature exists, and some people even claim that they have seen it in real life. This monster, also called “Nessie” by some, is thought to reside in Loch Ness, a large lake in the Scottish highlands. Nessie is described to look like a large long necked creature, with almost serpent like features and humps on its back. The earliest mention of the creature was found in the biography of St. Columba, where he sees a beast rise from the water and attack a swimmer. Although many people would probably think that a thing like Nessie would be dangerous, in the legend it has never actually been that aggressive unless you provoke it. Legend or not, it might be best if you avoid lakes for now.

The Vanishing Hitchhiker

A classic urban legend. This story leaves behind a feeling of mystery and unease to all who hear it. The tale is basically what it sounds like, it’s about a hitchhiker. In the story, you are driving on a dark road at night. It’s pouring rain and you can hardly see a thing. When all of a sudden you see a human-like figure appear in front of your car. Now obviously this would cause anyone to stop their vehicle, so you stop and roll down your window. The person in the car usually asks if the hitchhiker is okay, and if they need a ride. And the hitchhiker accepts. So you start driving again with your mysterious passenger next to you. You’ve been driving for a while, when you realize you don’t even know this person’s home address. So you turn to face them, but they’re gone. In this urban legend, which many people have said has happened to them, they end up finding out that the person that they let into their car, is dead. Or in some versions the vanishing hitchhiker ends up taking the driver to the grave with them. 

In the end, we don’t know for sure if these stories are real or fake. But we do know one thing, some tales are best left alone.