Name Meaning
Onryō (怨霊) means “vengeful spirit” in Japanese. These ghosts return from the afterlife to exact revenge on those who wronged them in life.
- On (怨) = grudge or resentment
- Ryō (霊) = spirit or ghost
Origin
- Appears in Heian period ghost stories and Buddhist teachings.
- Prominent in kabuki theater and traditional Japanese horror tales.
- May emerge from betrayal, murder, or intense emotional suffering.
Appearance
- Often shown with long black hair, white kimono, and expressionless faces.
- May appear transparent or with floating movements.
- Sometimes with disfigured features or hollow eyes.
Behavior & Myths
- Haunts those responsible for their suffering.
- Causes illness, misfortune, or death as retribution.
- Can be appeased with rituals, offerings, or proper burials.
Symbolism
- Embodies unresolved emotion and karmic justice.
- Represents the consequences of betrayal and unhealed trauma.
- Used to warn against cruelty and injustice in traditional stories.
