Why are scary old lady stories so prevalent in different cultures?

Scary old hag stories are common because they can be used as a form of moral education. For example, in many stories, the old hag might punish those who are greedy or disobedient. This teaches people, especially children, to behave well.

They're popular because they often involve elements of mystery and tragedy. The idea of a woman in white, usually associated with some kind of unfulfilled or unhappy past, is very spooky.

They are popular because they play on our fear of the unknown. The image of a lady in white is often associated with purity in normal circumstances, but when she is a ghost, it creates a strong contrast.

Yes, they are. For instance, in Japanese culture, there are tales of female ghosts in white. These often relate to themes of vengeance or unfulfilled desires. In Western cultures too, as mentioned before, there are many stories of the Lady in White in old buildings or on certain roads.

Her appearance is often a big factor. Old, wrinkled skin, sunken eyes, and a hunched back can give an instant sense of unease. Also, her isolation. Living alone in a spooky place like an old house or near a graveyard makes her seem mysterious and potentially dangerous.

Old lady ghost stories are popular because they can carry a lot of emotional weight. An old lady may have had a lifetime of experiences, loves, and losses. When she becomes a ghost, these emotions can be magnified and turned into something both tragic and terrifying. For example, a story of an old lady who lost her child and now haunts the place where the child died can be very moving and spooky at the same time. Also, the idea of an old lady as a ghost can be a subversion of the traditional nurturing image of older women, which adds an element of surprise and horror.

In Japanese culture, there are stories about yurei, which are ghosts. One famous story is about Okiku, a maid who was murdered and her spirit haunts a well. In Irish culture, the banshee is a well - known scary figure. It's a female spirit whose wailing warns of an impending death in a family. In Mexican culture, La Llorona is a popular scary story. It's about a woman who drowned her children and now wanders, weeping, looking for them.

I think it's because cats are often associated with magic and mystery in our collective imagination. So when they are turned into human-like characters in fiction, it creates a sense of wonder and adventure. Plus, they can have fun personality quirks that make for engaging storylines.

There might be some very rare and perhaps symbolic or mythological stories in certain cultures. In some traditional tales, there could be elements that are metaphorically related to an old man and some form of nourishment that could be loosely associated with breastfeeding, but these are not common.

Sharing such stories is inappropriate as it involves private and often vulgar content. We should focus on positive and respectful cultural stories instead.