Bean Nighe
BAN NI-yee
"Washerwoman"

aka the Washer at the Ford; ban nighechain (little washerwoman); nigheag na h-ath (little washer at the ford).

A Scottish fairy woman, usually identified with the Irish Bean Sídhe. She is called "the Washer at the Ford," as she is usually seen washing the clothes of the dead for their burial. A soldier may wake one morning, and find his clothes being washed by the woman in a near-by river. The clothes are stained red, and he realizes he will die that day.

Back to "B" | Back to JCE
Home

Mary Jones © 2004