Ologies with Alie Ward cover image

Teratology (MONSTERS) with W. Scott Poole

Ologies with Alie Ward

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The Connection between Ghosts and Monsters in Cultural Traditions

Dating back to the earliest Christian celebrations, the day before the Feast of All Saints has always been a time for ghosts and unquiet spirits. Scholars debate whether monsters and ghosts are the same thing, while hungry ghosts in Asian cultures add another dimension. In China, the tradition of hopping vampires, who return as swollen blood drinkers, demonstrates the connection between ghosts and monsters. These creatures represent chaos and our fear of death, embodying the idea of a bad death.

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