by Andy Ninja Is Wicked Back To Work on June 30th, 2004
I just did it. No.
The Urban Legend and it's variations regarding Blood Mary:
The avenging spirit goes by many names: Bloody Mary, Bloody Bones, Hell Mary, Mary Worth, Mary Worthington, Mary Whales, Mary Johnson, Mary Lou, Mary Jane, Sally, Kathy, Agnes, Black Agnes, Aggie, Svarte Madame.
Summoning Mary requires the right chant. "I believe in Mary Worth" is the key phrase according to one version, but others require the shouting of "Kathy, come out!" or the repetition of "Bloody Mary" into the mirror as many times as the ritual demands. (Sometimes Bloody Mary gets more of a script and is summoned by calls of "Bloody Mary! I killed your baby!")
The precise requirements of the ritual vary. Some specify that the mirror must be illuminated by a single candle; in others, there must be a candle on each side. In some versions, the message to Mary is repeated by just one girl who is either a volunteer or one selected by the others to summon up the mirror-witch. The number of chants needed to fetch Mary also varies.
What the mirror-witch does upon arrival varies too. She may strike her summoner dead, drive her mad, or fiercely scratch her face. She may merely peer malevolently out through the mirror, or she may drag one of the girls back through it to live with her.
Origins:
The research into Bloody Mary goes back to 1978, when folklorist Janet Langlois published her essay on the legend. Belief in summoning the mirror-witch was even at that time widespread throughout the U.S.
Mary is summoned whenever squealing girls get together for a sleepover, but boys have been known to call on her too. She's said to be a witch who was executed a hundred years ago for plying the black arts, or a woman of more modern times who died in a local car accident in which her face was hideously mutilated.
Some confuse the mirror witch with Mary I of England, whom history remembers as "Bloody Mary." An expanded version of that confusion has it that this murdering British queen killed young girls so she could bathe in their blood to preserve her youthful appearance.
Mary I of England (1553-1558) was anything but a famed beauty terrified of losing her looks -- she was a matronly, fortyish woman who had about as much sense of style as a dust mop. The idea of her bathing in the blood of slaughtered virgins to preserve her loveliness is ludicrous. She came by the moniker "Bloody Mary" because she had a number of Protestants put to death during her reign, as she tried to re-establish Catholicism as the religion of the land after the reigns of her father (Henry VIII, he who married six wives over the course of his lifetime and established himself as the head of a new religion rather than tolerate the Pope's saying he couldn't divorce wife #1 to marry wife #2) and her brother (Edward VI, who ruled after Henry died but passed away himself at the age of 16). Mary was a devoutly religious woman who saw what she was doing as the saving of her subjects' souls from eternal damnation, and in those times -- as crazy as this sounds now -- the eternal wellbeing of a soul was deemed far more important than the comparatively fleeting life of a person. That bringing the country back to Catholicism would also safeguard her throne was also a major consideration.
Mary I was the half sister of Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Both were daughters of Henry VIII, but Mary's mother was Katherine of Aragon and Elizabeth's mother was Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth I became Queen when Mary died, and she reigned for many years, coming to be called "The Virgin Queen" because she never married.
Some muddlings of this "murdering queen" variant claim that Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1567) is the "bloody Mary" of mirror summonings. Though this Mary was indeed a vain and foolish woman, history does not know her as a murderous one. (Well, okay, she did have a hand in doing away with a husband. But she didn't go after her subjects en masse, as did Mary I of England.)
So, although there was a British queen known as "Bloody Mary," no connection between her and the mirror witch has surfaced, save for their both having the same name. Likewise, the "Mary Worth" appellation of the malevolent apparition doesn't appear to be drawn from the lead character of a popular comic strip of the same name. In lore, as elsewhere, coincidences occur. (The "bathing in blood" detail is traditionally attributed to Elizabeth Bathory, but of course her name was not "Mary.")
(Barbara's husband notes: The 'Bloody Mary' legend was common when I was a kid in the early 1970s. We typically performed the "ritual" in bathrooms, because the bathrooms of our suburban homes had large mirrors and were easily darkened even during the day since they had no windows. A familiar 'Bloody Mary' story was one about a girl who supposedly ended her incantation with a spiteful "I don't believe in Mary Worth," then tripped over the doorjamb while exiting the bathroom and broke her hip.)
Why would otherwise rational youngsters want to risk setting a murderous spirit on the rampage? Gail de Vos offers the following explanation:
So why do children continue to summon Bloody Mary, flirting with danger and possible tragedy? The ages between 9 and 12 are labeled "the Robinson age" by psychologists. This is the period when children need to satisfy their craving for excitement by participating in ritual games and playing in the dark. They are constantly looking for a safe way to extract pleasure and release anxiety and fears.
It's possible these "mirror witch" games have their roots in oldtime divining rituals involving unmarried girls and future husbands. There are a number of variations of these divinations, some involving chanting a rhyme in a darkened room on a special night and then quickly looking in the mirror to catch a glimpse of the bridegroom-to-be.
The concept of mirrors as portals between this world and the realm of spirits shows up in other beliefs, namely those surrounding funerals. It was common practice to cover mirrors in a house where a death had occurred until the body was taken for burial. (Back in the days before funeral homes, corpses were washed by the deceased's relatives, dressed in their funeral finery, and laid out in coffins in the front parlor. Consequently, the dead would be in the house for days.) It was believed if the dear departed caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror, his ghost would remain in the house because the mirror would trap his spirit.
Some information from http://www.snopes.com
Other Bloody Mary stories/legends:
http://www.halloween-website.com/bloody_mary_stories.htm
by MikeD81 on July 2nd, 2004
Charlie Foxtrot, the only thing I see as being 'unnecessary' in this answer is your comment and rating. Don't spam answers with negative ratings.
Bloody Mary is really nothing more than an urban legend. Whether or not you actually beleive you can conjure the spirit determines if it will happen. Many times in the past, people who have claimed to have seen 'Bloody Mary' or any other ghost in the mirror, with the lights turned off, have actually been psychologically induced hallucinations from fear. The person would begin to chant, and start beleiving it so much that they inadvertantly scare themselves into beleiving a ghost is appearing in the mirror.
I suggest checking out Andersen777's informative answer...very interesting info in it!
by thisisitimfalling on March 14th, 2009
I will come and slap you in the face.
by Sid on March 14th, 2009
You'll trip and fall in the bath unless you put the light back on.
by sickthings on July 13th, 2006
Yes. Wastes about 5 seconds of your life!
by Scooter on March 14th, 2009
You'll be thrust into darkness. Until you turn the lights back on.
by freehartz on August 8th, 2006
I am not sure about Bloody Mary but I do know that [similar to what MikeD81 has said regarding mirrors] people have sat in a enclosed area with a mirror surrounded by black curtains and the idea is that your dear departed relative(s) will eventually appear - now I attempted to try it one night for curiousity sake but I found it unnerving staring into darkness so I quickly gave up. The reference to ghosts and mirrors is seen in the movies The Grudge and if you'll notice, that supernatural events happened with a mirror close by in the movie "The Shining." But if you want to read about a real evil occurrence read up on the Hungarian "Blood Countess" Elizabeth Bathory! She was a noble that grew up immersed in a violent time with bloodthirsty rulers all around but she was personally responsible for the murders of many young women. Wikipedia has a great article on her. Anyways, sorry I sort of diverged there!
by VWrunning on March 14th, 2009
You will be standing in the dark talking to yourself.
by WashingtonsWorst on March 14th, 2009
you will be stabbed to death
by Grammy Robin on April 7th, 2008
Moves you one step closer to the nuthouse! (just kidding)
by Wide Awake @ has closing date woo hoo on April 7th, 2008
Yes.
It designates the speaker as a fool. :o)
by lightning on November 13th, 2007
It does'nt do anything but make your wife say:Who is this Mary person?
by buxtonite ..back from the brink on October 25th, 2007
man!!..its true ..a group of us back in the early 70's saw her ....but we just don't know if it was before or after the 'acid' we dropped :):)
by Tokyos on October 29th, 2006
I did it,me and my friend were on the phone and we called her at the same time."Bloody Mary,Bloody Mary,Bloody Mary!!!"We each saw a tad of our reflection with red tint on the mirror.Mmmm.Bloody Mary hates me!
But I have been known to have nervous break-downs when I was a kid.
Any way,some links:
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/ghosts/bloodymary.asp
http://www.halloween-website.com/bloody_mary_stories.htm
by lady fuschia on August 8th, 2006
Yep.
Causes your flatmate to shout "do you want tabasco with that?"
by Ripple is back on March 14th, 2009
You will still be standing in the dark in your bathroom:)
by -Joy- to the World- is moving on March 14th, 2009
You will see a little circle in the center of the mirror, as you keep looking, it will appear to grow in size. As soon as it gets to about 4-5 inches in diameter, you will see something moving in the circle.
As soon as it reaches 7 inches diameter she will GRAB YOU and pull you in!!
What load of crock, my cousin tried to freak me out with this story when I was younger!
Thank's for the question Jimmy :)
by Keysha on March 14th, 2009
Nothing, unlike if you chew wintergreen lifesavers in a dark room in front of a mirror. They at least send sparks around your teeth.
by Bluemuun on March 14th, 2009
The girl who is waiting will be gone when the lights go on.:)
by captianKA on January 20th, 2009
no
by Kensei on November 12th, 2008
No. Not like that. You need to have a connection- which you are born with such as clairvoyancy, you need to spin, flush the toilet, light candles, and chant UNTIL she arrives. But this is true for any ghost I heard.
by Scuby Joe on May 5th, 2008
Upon reading all of the meterial I have read about BLOODY MARY,ESPECIALLY THE "PERSONAL TESTIMONY'S" I myself would NOT try it!
As it has been mentioned in one person"s comment about the game of "BLOODY MARY" ANYONE WHO HAS "PSYCHIC" TENDENCEYS SHOULT NOT SUMMOS THE SPIRIT OF "BLOODY MARY"!
I myself happen to have "PSYCHIC" TENDENCEYS!
There is also a pratice of "DIVINATION" (contacting the dead) where people use mirrors in the same fashion that one would play the game of "BLOODY MARY" TO CONTACT THEIR "DEARLY DEPARTED" loved ones!
scuby1673@verizon.net
by B. Krayzee - Dirrty Professor @ Large on April 7th, 2008
YES! It makes you see your reflection in the dark... its just harder to see... coz the light is off...
maybe Bloody Mary will reach around and turn it on for ya... :P
by zeuspoop on April 4th, 2008
You mean the legend that the Bloody Mary is the worst drink ever? Oh, that's no legend!
by Conformist on February 9th, 2008
Scientifically yes.
A strong believer that certainly believes this chant, might actually see something, yet nothing real, merely a mind manipulation or could be imganing things. Our mind is extremely powerful and can do various tasks, humans haven't yet discovered.
Meanwhile. looking at the non-scientifc way, no nothing will happen at all. You might get frightened.
by Derek DuCote on February 9th, 2008
Haha! No!
I tried it when I was little and was terrified that I was next on Mary's list.
by joeyjacobs on November 13th, 2007
itryitbutdonotworkitjustaverydumpsodon,tit
by wookieblu on November 13th, 2007
many centrys ago people thought a mirror would trap the sprit of a newly departed persons soul. so would cover them at the time off death or just before someone dies. so the sprit would go onw to its next place. to remove a soul trapped in a mirror, it had to be called out by a spirtual type person. this is were it all started
by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi COAT on November 13th, 2007
you may get someone to call 9-1-1
by JohnOBonno on November 13th, 2007
Sure it will, if you're dead drunk and want to vomit.
by The Account Formerly Known As Peyton on October 25th, 2007
I doubt it, but I'm too scared to see for myself.
There is also something like that about the Bell Witch.
by R U Sirius on November 13th, 2007
Sure it does..............means that there are so many other things you could be doing with your time.
by Drexl on October 25th, 2007
No. I've tried all of those. None of them work. Damnit.
by Anonymous on April 7th, 2008
i dont think she is real cause she didnt come out when i said bluddy mary come out i killed your son but it didnt work so i think she is just made up to try to scare pepole dont you?
by justme32 loves the weekends on June 14th, 2008
I have always been too scared to try it.
by JgrumpyC on January 20th, 2009
I don't know...but it makes me think of the South Park episode, where the boys chant Big E Smalls 3 times...and the BigE comes out and shoots at them.
Hi-larious!
by Zebulon on April 7th, 2008
Not really, but I've never been able to do it.
My sister and I tried millions of times when we were younger and we could never get past the second "Bloody Mary" before we were tripping over ourselves to get into the light.
The power of the mind is amazing.
by Firebrand on April 7th, 2008
Nothing at all.
by Anonymous on April 7th, 2008
Oh come on, how could anyone believe something that stupid. I mean really.
by angel on February 9th, 2008
well, it has gotten my best friends husband to make her a drink
I am too afraid to try the Bloody Mary thing, should I?
by Secretive woman on March 10th, 2008
| 8 people like this
Do you believe in the myth of bloody mary?
by Stormin on January 27th, 2008
| 8 people like this
Is bloody mary real
by maddygirl on June 4th, 2007
| 12 people like this
Bloody mary is it real or retarded? and sorry this is in this catagory but i didn't know what else to do so i just kinda clicked around.
by harrylover108 on June 14th, 2008
| 1 person likes this
Does chanting the phrase "bloody mary" 3 times while in a dark bathroom while looking at a mirror really do anything?
by Jackie Klos on June 30th, 2004
| 7 people like this
You're reading Does chanting the phrase "bloody mary" 3 times while in a dark bathroom while looking at a mirror really do anything?
- which can also be phrased in the following ways:
Is the legend of Bloody Mary true? Where you go into the bathroom with only candle light and say 'bloody mary' from 3-100 times that she will appear in the mirror?
Is the Bloody Mary legend true? does anyone have experience or prove that it's true?
Is Bloody Mary true?
If I turn my lights off and say "bloody mary" to my bathroom mirror 3 times, what will happen?
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Comments
What is it people have with rating you poorly for GREAT answers!?!
by Drinking Dano on July 1st, 2004
VERY interesting! Too bad once again the ignorant Jackie Klos is giving a very complete, excellent answer a bad rating.
by MikeD81 on July 2nd, 2004
Great info!
by MP1116 on July 11th, 2004
wow this is very useful, but i advise not explaining this to kids.
by saviorknights on August 18th, 2004
Wow! My friends and I scared ourselves silly with this, but I never knew all this interesting background info!
by Too Much Time On My Hands on September 14th, 2004
Ha, the things you do in the name of science...
by go_to_hellas on March 22nd, 2005
This is absolutely amazing. Excellent info!!
by Tanager on May 16th, 2005
whoa! awesome work - very informative
by garnet60 on May 20th, 2005
Very nice research! very informative!
by Im A Wife Now on June 18th, 2005
Good answer, thank you for doing so much research for this answer!
by Anonymous on July 4th, 2005
That's a good answer!
by Scottythinks on July 19th, 2005
i read this one snopes.com also. Great website with tons of info about all kinds of "urban legends":0)
by sweet_az_sugir on October 27th, 2005
Kudos.
by BaaBaaBlackSheep on December 3rd, 2005
Nice answer! Although, I would NOT recommend summoning up demons like "bloody mary."
by Answers101 on February 24th, 2006
Good answer
by RJTRIES on February 27th, 2006
somebody touched my special purpose! Bloody Mary? oh...its only you Jesus.
by Beeslo on April 16th, 2006
Wonderful information delightfully presented. Well done!
by Merry Walker on May 7th, 2006