Death coach

CreatureIreland · Western EuropeLegendFear 7/10

Description

아일랜드 설화에 등장하는 Creature. The death coach is part of the folklore of Northwestern Europe. It is particularly strong in Ireland

The Legend

The Chariot of Death is part of the folklore tradition of Northwestern Europe, particularly strongly transmitted in Ireland. In Ireland, it is known as 'Cóiste Bodhar', which also means 'the Silent Chariot'. This chariot is typically described as a black carriage driven or pulled by a being known as the Dullahan. According to legend, the appearance or sound of this chariot is considered an omen of death, warning of the imminent death of oneself or a close relative. In Ireland, the Chariot of Death is seen as a symbol of the inevitability of death, and once it appears on Earth, it is believed that it can never return empty. Therefore, when an individual's death is determined by a greater power, it is said that humans cannot prevent it. The driver of Cóiste Bodhar is known as the headless horseman, the Dullahan, and this chariot often appears alongside the banshee.

Variants

In Scottish folklore, the Chariot of Death is said to be seen on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, where it is believed to collect the souls of the dead. Additionally, in Scotland, it is said that the 'Hell Wain' can be seen in the night sky.

In Popular Culture

In popular culture, the Chariot of Death appears in various media. The 1921 Swedish film 'The Phantom Carriage' is based on this theme. Cóiste Bodhar is also depicted in the film 'Darby O'Gill and the Little People', where the protagonist Darby is supposed to pick up his daughter Katie, but due to Darby's wish to the leprechaun king, he ends up riding the chariot instead of her. However, the leprechaun ultimately deceives him, nullifying his wish, and Darby is cast out from Cóiste Bodhar. Additionally, Cóiste Bodhar appears in the TV series 'Strange', depicted as having the ability for the banshee to summon the chariot. In literature, it is mentioned in W. B. Yeats's 'Folk Tales of Ireland' and also appears in the Japanese light novel series 'Durarara!!', where the Dullahan Celty Sturluson is described as having the ability to transform from a headless horse into a motorcycle.

This article is based on the Wikipedia article "Death coach" (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia