"Bloody Mary"...Urban Myth, Urban Legend or Real?

For years children have been told of the the legend of Bloody Mary, whether sitting gathered around a campfire, or sleeping over at a friends house on a Saturday night. Either way, it is a story that strikes fear and terror into the hearts and minds of youngsters alike.

I remember growing up as a teenager, and friends of mine trying to encourage me to go into the bathroom and try it, though I'm not that stupid. Am I supertitious? Perhaps I am to some extent. The legend has been told over and over and there are many different variations of the legend that have been passed down though the basic fundamental of the story remains the same.

According to the legend of Bloody Mary, a person is said to go into a dark room containing a mirror (usually associated with a bathroom as almost every bathroom has a vanity mirror) and turn of all the lights, save for the light of a dimly lit candle (candlelight alone would help to create a rather "creepy" atmosphere along with the psychological factor of knowing what is "supposed to happen"). The person then chants out loud "Bloody Mary" 3 times (some versions of the legend say 5 times.....who knows, I'm not about to be a sucker and try it!) after which a terrifying and utterly frightening apparition is said to appear standing behind the person in the mirror!! What's even more frightening is the fact that when you turn around there is actually no one there!!!

(Now this is where versions tend to differ ~ some say that when "Bloody Mary" appears she will gouge out your eyes, and another version is that she will cut your throat with a knife while emitting an horrific scream (not unlike that of a banshee!!). Uhm, no thanks, i think I'll pass!

I have decided to add 2 video links here to give you, the reader, an idea of both of these versions........so here they are:
This first one is rather frightening in its own way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrSssBjDu84
This second one is more on the grotesque side:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAwOS7jAJP0

If you want to know whether or not this legend is in fact just that of an urban myth, I suggest going into your bathroom tonight, turning off all the lights, chanting "Bloody Mary" 3 times and finding out for yourself.......if you dare.

Sleep tight tonight!