The History of “Bedsheet Ghosts”



Ask anyone to draw a quick doodle of a ghost and chances are they’ll draw some variation of a bedsheet ghost — round on top, wiggly on the bottom, with a couple of eye holes. This specific image of ghosts has been ingrained into our culture for centuries, and until fairly recently, it was considered genuinely terrifying. The root of it lies in the fact that up until the 19th century the dead were almost always wrapped in burial shrouds, rather than placed in coffins. In poorer families, the recently deceased were simply wrapped up in the sheet from their bed and secured inside by a knot tied at either end. In 1889, one Missouri newspaper conducted a poll of its readers, asking if they believed in ghosts, with most saying they did. These ideas were compounded by theatrical presentations of ghosts throughout the 19th century. On-stage ghosts varied enormously, from simple depictions of actors in white face paint or armor, to tricks involving mirrors and trapdoors. That imagery carried over to the depictions of ghosts in Victorian photography, a trend that didn’t disappear entirely until the 1930s. These days, bedsheet ghosts are more likely to be found adorning clothes, decorations and candles on Etsy than they are giving anyone an actual fright. However, at this time of year, it’s worth remembering the history bedsheet ghosts. After all, you never know when the scary ones might come back.