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5.2.24
Paranormal Pajama Party
Bloody Mary | 3

If you've been a preteen at a slumber party, chances are you've heard the chilling tale of Bloody Mary. Today, we'll dissect the origins of Bloody Mary and the various interpretations surrounding her name.

Bloody Mary, the spectral figure said to appear in mirrors when her name is called 3-13 times (it's unclear and not a risk I'm willing to take), has been a staple of sleepovers and late-night dares. While some might dismiss it as a simple game, we're taking a closer look into the mirror tonight, and into the possible inspirations behind this eerie tale.

One theory ties the legend to Mary Tudor, Queen of England, whose tumultuous life and reign left a legacy of fear and brutality. Other contenders include an accused Salem witch and infamous Hungarian serial killer Countess Elizabeth Báthory.

Beyond Mary's identity, it's interesting to learn why this game is so appealing to the 10-13-year-old PJ-party crowd.

Is it a ritual for girls anxious about the transition into womanhood? Or might she represent a way for young girls to reclaim a sense of power in a world where they often feel powerless?

Key moments

• 3:29 Who is Bloody Mary?
• 11:02 Why do we play?
• 14:42 The history of the game

Sources

• Bloody Mary story (Snopes)
• Bloody Mary (folklore) (Wikipedia)
• Bloody Mary: The Mystery of Ritual and Myth
• Janet Langlois, Confessions of a Legend Hunter in the U.S.A
• Janet Langlois (interview transcript)
• Dundes, A. (1998). Bloody Mary in the Mirror: A Ritual Reflection of Pre-Pubescent Anxiety. Western Folklore, 57(2/3), 119–135.
• The Forgotten Halloween Games That Predict Who You'll Marry—And When You'll Die
• ‘Bloody Mary’: Is an English Queen Behind the Haunting Urban Legend?
• The True Story Of Bloody Mary, The Woman Behind The Mirror
• The Salem Witch Trials Victims: Who Were They?

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View all my sources for each episode and read the episode transcript here.

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