The Legends and Superstitions of New Orleans

Welcome to the unique and mystical folklore of the Crescent City, the legendary New Orleans. The birthplace of jazz, a multicultural melting pot of European, Native American, Caribbean and African cultures and religions, New Orleans is steeped in folklore and superstition. From voodoo queens to singing zombies, brick walls that dance, swamps inhabited by otherworldly spirits, and tales of cursed tombs and treasure, New Orleans legends are a bit mysterious and always captivating.

Gris-Gris Spell Bags & Voodoo Dolls

Dripping Spanish moss, dimly lit corners of bars, heavily scented oil shops in the French quarter, and dusty old graveyards are all part of the voodoo mystique in New Orleans. It is believed that voodoo offerings can bring love, luck, money and protection to practitioners. Rituals often involve charms such as Gris-Gris spell bags, usually made from animal fur, bones, beads and shells sewn together in specific shapes. There is also a long tradition of voodoo dolls made from fabrics, such as burlap or calico, that represent people or deities. The dolls are then adorned with beads and shells for protection or for to cast a spell on the target.

Zombies & Ghosts

No legend of New Orleans is quite as spooky as its hauntings. From beyond the grave and in cemeteries like the St Louis Number 1 and Number 2, strange spirits have been reported, such as singing zombies, Cajun werewolves, and vengeful ghosts. While some have been attributed to real events, like the 1833 yellow fever epidemic that claimed around a thousand lives, others remain a mystery. Tales of ghosts hitchhiking at night when the moon is full are still told all over the city, depicting them as restless souls seeking closure.

Loup-Garou (Cajun Werewolves)

If you’ve ever taken a night tour of the city’s famous cemeteries, you may have heard stories about loup-garous – Cajun werewolves. The legend dates back to the swamp lands surrounding the city and tells of magical creatures that can turn into wolves at night, specifically during a full moon. Some say they can only be seen if you have a specific mask in your possession when they are summoned. Others claim they transform in order to exact revenge on those who wronged them in life. Loup-garous were often used to frighten children into behaving by warning them about the creatures’ hungry ways.

Marie LaVeau – The Voodoo Queen

No list of New Orleans legends would be complete without mention of the most famous one – Marie LaVeau. She was thought by many to be a powerful voodoo queen in 19th century Louisiana and is said to have had an affinity for magic and the spirit world. It is rumored that believers could visit her at midnight in St Louis Cemetery Number 1 and she would answer their questions and request favors such as fortunes being read or love being restored. Whether her powers were real or not they have certainly become part of the legends of the city.

The King’s Tavern

Pirates have long been associated with this city on the Mississippi River and tales of buried gold have been circulated for centuries. One of the more popular pirate lore legends focuses on Jean Lafitte, the infamous smuggler and privateer. When Lafitte was operating an illegal trading post out of New Orleans he was said to have buried his treasure in a secret location which he protected with a ghostly protector called Le Fantome de Jean Lafitte. According to legend he left instructions in his will for someone to dig up his buried treasure from beneath the now famous King’s Tavern near Jackson Square.

The Bloody Mary Curse

Another classic New Orleans tale centers around a French Creole woman known as Bloody Mary who arrived in the city during the early 19th century only to make a name for herself in true “Voodoo’ style. Rumor has it that she could talk to spirits and could summon zombies from beyond the grave which she used for her own ends. It’s said she placed a curse on her former home which still lingers to this day. Although nowadays it’s seen more as an entertaining tale than anything remotely serious – no one knows what Bloody Mary was really capable of!

Conclusion

New Orleans’ storied past is full of colorful legends from beyond the grave, magical creatures, mysterious voodoo offerings, cursed tombs and treasures long forgotten. Before you go looking for voodoo dolls and gris-gris spell bags, or undertaking your own expedition to find buried treasure – make sure you visit some of these places on your own terms! Some interesting professional tours are available Visit a Legendary Voodoo Tour in New Orleans with GetYourGuide, this could be an interesting way to safely explore those myths and legends at your own pace and with expert guidance!