Night hag

What it is

The night hag is a supernatural figure described in myths worldwide. It appears during sleep paralysis, a state where the mind wakes but the body stays still. The creature sits on the chest or foot of the bed. It presses down heavily, making breathing difficult. This causes intense fear and a sense of suffocation. The term 'nightmare' originally meant this specific attack by a mare spirit. Different cultures name the phenomenon differently, but the experience remains the same.

Where it comes from

The word comes from the Old English 'mare'. This links to proto-Germanic spirits that visited sleepers. The concept likely evolved from ancient ideas about demons sitting on people. Samuel Johnson defined it as nightmare in his dictionary. The idea spread through European folklore. Similar beings exist in Asia and Africa, suggesting a shared human experience of sleep paralysis interpreted through local myth.

How it is done

The hag visits the sleeper at night. It leaves its own body to haunt others. The victim feels an invisible weight on their chest. They cannot move or speak. Some traditions say the spirit steals breath. Others claim it strangles the sleeper. In some places, people shout at the spirit to leave. Talismans like hats are placed near pillows for protection.

Tools and materials

Protection often involves everyday items. In Albania, a husband's hat is placed near the pillow. Amulets called ta'wiz are worn in Pakistan. Prayer verses from the Quran are recited in Turkey and Arab regions. Sleeping on the right side is recommended in some areas. These items are believed to ward off the demon or spirit causing the paralysis.

What it is for

The night hag is not sought after. It is feared as a malevolent force. It represents the terror of helplessness during sleep. People do not ask for it; it happens to them. It is seen as a punishment or a random attack. In some beliefs, it targets those who have done evil. In others, it simply feeds on fear or breath.

Who does it

No one practices the night hag. It is a subject of study for scholars. Folklorists record these stories across cultures. Medical professionals explain it as a brain glitch. The victims are ordinary people caught in sleep paralysis. Shamans may perform rituals to remove the spirit in some cultures.

Peoples and places

The belief is global. Scandinavians call it a mare. Fijians see it as a demon eating the sleeper. Albanians know Mokthi, a spirit with a golden hat. Turkish people call it karabasan. Mongolians refer to being pressed by the Black. Each culture adds details: ghosts, jinns, or demons. The core experience of immobility is universal.

What people believe

The worldview sees sleep as a vulnerable time. Spirits and demons roam freely at night. The body is defenseless against these forces. Breath is precious and can be stolen. Evil entities thrive on fear and darkness. Protection requires faith, prayers, or physical charms. The spirit world interacts directly with the sleeping mind.

When it is done

It happens during sleep, so any night. No specific festival is tied to it. It occurs when people are tired or stressed. Some believe it targets those who haven't cleaned their homes. It is a random event, not scheduled by the calendar.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Scholars link the night hag to sleep paralysis. This is a known medical condition. The brain wakes before the muscles. This mismatch creates hallucinations. Anthropologists study how cultures interpret this. They see it as a way to explain bodily sensations. Psychologists view it as a fear response to helplessness.

Compare and confuse

It is confused with regular nightmares. But nightmares are just dreams. Sleep paralysis involves physical immobility. It is also compared to ghost possession. However, the person remains conscious. Other names include 'witch riding' in the US South.

Questions people ask about Night hag

Good reading and sources

• Night hag on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data