At the edge of desolate streams and lonely fords throughout the Scottish Highlands, a solitary figure hunches over bloody garments, washing them in the cold water. This is the Bean Nighe (pronounced “ben-nee-yeh”), the “washerwoman” who launders the death shrouds of those about to die. To encounter her is to face one's own mortality.
Origins
The Bean Nighe is said to be the spirit of a woman who died in childbirth. Condemned to wash death shrouds until the day she would have naturally died, she serves as an omen of impending death. This origin story connects death's messenger to the sorrows of untimely death and unfinished life.
Appearance
The Bean Nighe appears as:
- A small woman dressed in green, the fairy color
- Webbed feet, marking her as supernatural
- A single nostril, one large front tooth, and pendulous breasts
- Red, weeping eyes from endless mourning
- Always found near water, washing bloodied clothes
In some regions, she appears as a beautiful woman; in others, as a frightening hag.
The Omen
When one sees the Bean Nighe washing clothes:
- If the clothes belong to you, your death is imminent
- If you recognize the garments as another's, that person will soon die
- Soldiers might see their own military uniform being washed before battle
Gaining Power Over the Bean Nighe
Unlike the Irish Banshee, the Bean Nighe can be approached—if one is brave and clever:
- Approach silently from behind
- Place yourself between her and the water
- Suckle from her breast (claiming kinship)
- She must then answer three questions truthfully
Alternatively, she may grant three wishes if approached correctly, or reveal the name of the person about to die.
Related Creatures
The Bean Nighe is closely related to the Irish Banshee and the Welsh Gwrach y Rhibyn. All are Celtic death omens focused on specific families or individuals.
