Ghost vs. Incubus — What's the Difference?

Ghosts are said to be the visible spirit forms of people who have passed away, lingering in the physical world. These spirits are often associated with hauntings and supernatural phenomena, and their appearances are tied to locations or objects significant during their lifetimes. In contrast, an incubus is a specific type of demon from medieval folklore, often described as a male figure that engages in activity with sleeping women, believed to be an explanation for nightmares or sleep paralysis.

While ghosts are typically depicted as seeking closure or continuing unfinished business, the motives of an incubus are portrayed as malevolent, aiming to seduce or overpower women through supernatural means. This differentiation highlights ghosts as potentially benign or malevolent, whereas incubi are consistently depicted with sinister intent.

Ghosts appear across various global traditions and stories, sometimes viewed as protectors or messengers. Meanwhile, the incubus is a figure rooted in Western medieval lore, often used in tales to explain unexplained pregnancies or nocturnal phenomena, serving as a cautionary tale about morality.

Ghosts can range from wispy, formless apparitions to fully formed spectral figures resembling their living appearance. Incubi, however, are often described using human-like features but with demonic elements, such as horns or unusual eyes, aligning more closely with otherworldly beings than with spirits of the deceased.

In terms of interaction with the living, ghost encounters are often characterized by visual sightings or disturbances within a haunted locale. In contrast, encounters with an incubus are deeply personal and invasive, involving direct physical interaction under the guise of night, adding a distinct layer of horror and intimacy to their mythology.