A Banshee is a supernatural being from Irish and Celtic folklore, often depicted as a female spirit or fairy who appears to foretell death. Her presence is usually signaled by a mournful, wailing cry or scream, known as “keening,” which is believed to be a warning that someone close to the listener is about to die. Traditionally, banshees are said to appear to specific families, often those with Irish heritage, and can manifest in various forms, such as a beautiful young woman or a haggard old crone.
Though the banshee’s scream is considered ominous, she is not typically viewed as malicious but rather as a messenger from the spirit world, delivering a warning about impending death.