Doppelgangers: Is There Someone Just Like You Walking the Earth?

When you aren’t the result of a multiple birth, the chances of finding yourself face to face with someone who looks just you are pretty small.

That’s why the off-hand comment that a friend or relative spotted a person who looked just like you may be intriguing, and a little spooky. Those who have heard of or seen their own doppelgangers tell stories ranging from comical to tragic. It’s not surprising that legends and superstitions exist regarding this phenomena, given the strangeness of finding someone who shares what’s so uniquely your own. With the advantage of online searches, and high tech tools, you might find there is someone just like you walking around the Earth.

The Myth Vs. Flesh and Blood

Ironically, the term doppelganger has two meanings. The first is the legend of supernatural creatures taking on the appearance of an individual. The legends and myths warned against ever speaking to your double should you encounter such a person. The other meaning is just as unusual, but far less sinister. The fact is many people have discovered someone else who shares their appearance down to the last freckle. Only a trickle of these stories existed before the age of online communication when the entire world was connected electronically, and this leads one to wonder. Were those ghostly appearances based only on superstition or is something more to the myth?

The Spooky Aspect

According to German folklore, the word doppelganger meant “double-walker”, and the appearance of an unrelated twin wasn’t a good thing. Mystics in generations past spoke of catching glimpses of yourself as a portent of evil or disaster. Those who saw the doppelganger were either fated to meet some sort of personal failure, or even death shortly after spotting their mirror image.

Strange Tales of Doppelganger Spooky Encounters

1. Catherine, the Great

Catherine the Great was said to have faced such a figure. One night, the Empress of Russia was awoken by her servants as she slept. They informed their formidable ruler witnesses swore she had entered the throne room just minutes early. Catherine raced through the castle and found that indeed her ghostly duplicate was sitting on the throne. She ordered her guards to shoot at the spectral twin, but the legend doesn’t state what effect this had on the doppelganger. Catherine herself, however, died soon afterwards.

2. Queen Elizabeth I

A similar tale involved Queen Elizabeth I who reportedly saw herself lying in her bed. She too died shortly after spotting the otherworldly image of herself.

3. Emilie Sagee

In 1845, Emile Sage, a teacher at a prestigious school for girls in what is now Latvia, had a mysterious double image that would appear beside her or in other parts of the school at various times. This image always remained silent, and would mimic the movements of the teacher exactly. While numerous students and teachers witness this phenomena, no one was ever able to explain what caused it or what the meaning of the double might have been.

4. Percy Bysshe Shelley

The poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley told friends about his encounter with a double. The writer spied his doppelganger who stood silently watching him. Then still remaining silent, the figure pointed out to the Mediterranean Sea. Shelley talked it over with friends, but didn’t really understand why the incident occurred. His friends did have reason to reconsider the odd event after Shelley drowned in a small point a short time while sailing on the Mediterranean Sea.

5. Carne Rasch

In 1906, members of British Parliament were surprised to see member Carne Rasch seated in attendance watching a debate. Friends were aware he was at home sick in bed, so his appearance was remarkable, as was his stony silence. Watching the debate his countenance was grave, and he gave no response to his greetings directed toward him. Inquiring later, these friends were again startled to learn the man had never left his bed. Nothing unfortunate happened to Rasch with the exception of occasionally being poked by acquaintances in order to determine if he was real or the phantom doppelganger.

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