Why do classic portrayals of ghosts have sheets covering them?

Question

Why do classic portrayals of ghosts have sheets covering them?

Answer 1

I think it might have to do with the phrase:

"White as a sheet". This is such a cliche now, but people probably used this description when telling someone they looked a bit 'pale' (could this have any relation with the sterotypical image of ghosts - being pale? Or how people usually look when they've SEEN a ghost?).

I think it might also have a relation with the term:

"You look like you've seen a ghost".

As for the image of ghosts BEING sheets? Well, I guess... its a toned down version on what they WANT to show little kids. You gotta admit, the sheet ghosts look a lot less harmful and scary than the headless or bloody ghosts of today.

Answer 2

,possibly it was a way to tell a story and to denote the ghostly shadow a white sheet was used for that purpose.

Answer 3

I believe two of the possible reasons on why ghost are portrayed with sheets is:

Burial clothes, people were normally buried with wrappings, to keep jaws from opening and seepage at a minimum before and after the burial.

Second, ectoplasm when seen resembles a flowing sheet in the wind in some instances, and a way of symbolizing that effect would be white sheets

Answer 4

If I were a ghost, I'd think a quilt would make me a bit too warm. An afghan might be nice in the fall weather. A sheet is good year-around fashion, though.

Answer 5

as ghosts are imagined to be white and i suppose some clever dumbat thought that sheets are white so why not convince the world that all ghosts have bed linnen over them when they come bac to haunt us.

also as its an easy and lookalike way to be a GHOST !..

Answer 6

People have sheets on them because ghosts aren't real.  Seriously, villians are taking advantage of the gullible and credulous by attempting to appear like ghosts.

Answer 7

The mention of ghostly spirits has been around for ages, even before television or motion pictures. The ghost portrayed wearing a white sheet was a Hollywood special effects. At the time they didn't have the technology right away to blur images so an actor that was playing a ghost had to stand out from the other actors. It didn't take long before they could improve the effect and in movies like The Scrooge was using the new effects but some of the lower rated movies had to continue using the old effects. Now-a-days they can just about do anything which is great for entertainment purposes but also makes faking a picture a lot easier. I firmly believe this is why film recordings and photos are not considered good paranormal evidence. Which in all honesty is a good thing because it will make those who gather evidence search for better ways to make their claims more solid.

Answer 8

they live in the mattress

Answer 9

Because the people or the person that came up with that 1 was a moron. Ghosts are NOT always white like they are portrayed in the movies. I've actually seen 1 and he (yes I do know it was a he) was as solid and normal looking as anyone I've ever seen. Alot of people who've been lucky (or unlucky in some cases) 2 have seen a ghost will say that they are not white. that they look as normal as anyone else.

Answer 10

What a silly question.  The answer is blindingly obvious.  Blankets are too expensive.

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