Hag
Hag, Night-Hag, Boo-Hag, Old Hag, Haint, Nightmare,
Origin: American Folklore, from a virtually universal experience from around the world
Description
The hag, night hag or old hag is the name given to a supernatural creature, commonly associated with the phenomenon of sleep paralysis. It is a phenomenon during which a person feels a presence of a supernatural malevolent being which immobilizes the person as if sitting on their chest or the foot of their bed. The word "night-mare" or "nightmare" was used to describe this phenomenon before the word received its modern, more general meaning. Various cultures have various names for this phenomenon and/or supernatural character.
During the Salem Witch Trials several people reported night-time attacks by various alleged witches, including Bridget Bishop, that may have been caused by sleep paralysis; in many parts of the Southern United States, the phenomenon is is said to portend an approaching tragedy or accident. Alternatively, the Hag might be summoned to attack a third party, like a curse.
Folk belief describes the negative figure of the hag who leaves her physical body at night, and sits on the chest of her victim. The victim usually wakes with a feeling of terror, has difficulty breathing because of a perceived heavy invisible weight on his or her chest, and is unable to move i.e., experiences sleep paralysis. The name for this phenomenon in British folklore was "Old Hag", and this nightmare experience is described as being "hag-ridden".
Sleep paralysis is known to involve a component of hallucination in 20% of the cases, which may explain these sightings. Sleep paralysis in combination with hallucinations has long been suggested as a possible explanation for reported alien abduction, Demonic oppression and possession, and legends of Vampire, Witch, and Faerie attacks by night.
In contemporary western culture the phenomenon of supernatural assault on sleeping victims may be associated with shadow people; victims report primarily three different entities, a man with a hat, the old hag noted above, and a hooded figure.
Keeper Notes
Associated Mythos Elements
- setting: Folk Mythos
- see also:
