The Irish tell stories of the Bean Sidhe, "woman of the hills" or "woman of the fairy," a spirit who cries when a death is about to occur. Bean Sidhe is popularly known as the Banshee.
The Banshee has long streaming hair and is dressed in a gray hooded cloak over a green dress. Her cry is plaintive and resembles that of a wailing or weeping woman. She usually appears in three forms: as a young woman, a stately matron, or an old hag. She may also appear as a washer woman, washing the blood stained clothes of the person who is about to die. On occasion, she appears in other forms, such as that of a hooded crow, hare, and weasel-animals associated with witchcraft in Ireland. Her mourning call is usually heard at night.
Throughout the years, there have been several records of the Banshee in human form. For example, in 1437, King James I of Scotland claimed to have been approached by a Banshee who foretold his murder at the instigation of the Earl of Atholl.
The Banshee and La Llorona both endlessly weep for the loss of life. Also similar to the Banshee, La Llorona has been said to take human form.
