Our Precious Horrors

The Dullahan/ The Headless Horseman

The Dullahan, a terrifying headless creature riding upon its stallion as it is clad in dark robes and armor. The Dullahan is will carry it's head head with it and rid throughout the night brutally committing murders and collecting souls. The Dullahan also will call out a person's name before the kill and will splatter the victim's blood onto anyone near, symbolizing them as the Dullahan's next target.

This creature is said to be the physical embodiment of the Celtic god of fertility, Crom Dubh and was worshiped by an ancient king Tighermas Ireland. Each year, Tighermans would perform human sacrifices (mainly decapitation) to keep the Celtic god in favor. This tradition ended when Christianity was brought into Ireland in the 6th century.

In some parts of Ireland, the Dullahan is said to carry a human spine and used a whip. In other parts, he is said to ride on coach of six black horses. It's also said that they horses move so fast, that they leave a trail of fire behind them. 

The Dullahan are born into being ruthless undead killers. They don't really have a past life. They are born into their undead killing life and die in it. Also, there isn't really a reference that the Dullahan can't cross water like The Headless Horseman.

While the myth is very similar to the headless horsemen, they aren't the same. The headless horsemen is a fictional spirit by the name of Abraham Van Brunt (Created by American Author Washington Irving) who was an Englishman born in 1749. He was born into a wealthy family and was best friends with Ichabod Crane. He was betrothed to a woman named Katrina Van Tassel in an arranged marriage in 1774.

Abraham Van Brunt was only 25 at the time and soon Katrina told Ichabod Crane that she would leave him for Crane. The following day, the two men left on horse for a mission of grand politics. As the two men make their way through the hostile territory of Pennsylvania, Ichabod confesses the affair to Abraham once the breakup was on Abraham's mind.

Enraged, Abraham challenges Ichabod to a duel as he draws his saber. Ichabod quickly yields but is shown no mercy. But before Abraham could finish Ichabod, he was shot by a Hessian soldier without warning, who had came to the scene. Ichabod fled the scene after killing two soldiers.

As a Hessian soldier approaches the wounded Abraham, a demon by the name of Moloch comes to him and makes a deal. Abraham accepts and sells his soul; now being born as The Horsemen of Death. A soul sold for vengeance.

In 1781, The Horseman of Death once again confronts Ichabod Crane in battle, wielding a large battle axe. Crane on the other hand, a broadsword. As the two battle to the death, Crane is sliced open as Abraham/The Horeseman of Death is decapitated.