. "Ghost Lights"@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Japanese take on Will O The Wisps as ghostly possession. Will O' Wisps are what happens when swamp gas ignites, resulting in spectral blue flames floating in the air. Ancient cultures across the globe tended to associate this with the spirits of the dead and other supernatural forces. Sometimes, when a character is suddenly mortified or depressed about something, they will be portrayed as squatting in a (possibly nonexistent) corner, back turned to the main cast, with a black halo and ghost lights. Examples of Ghost Lights include:"@en . . . . . "Japanese take on Will O The Wisps as ghostly possession. Will O' Wisps are what happens when swamp gas ignites, resulting in spectral blue flames floating in the air. Ancient cultures across the globe tended to associate this with the spirits of the dead and other supernatural forces. Japan is no exception. Japanese ghosts and those they possess are traditionally depicted as surrounded by floating blue flames known as hitodama. The victim of possession traditionally tended to keep their free will, but was plagued with fatal bad luck (although Western depictions of ghosts inducing Demonic Possession has spread). The possession part is rarely played straight in Anime. People dressing as a ghost will usually tie burning candles to their heads to simulate the light. Being surrounded by ghost lights are a visual indicator of someone who is already a ghost. (Which raises the odd Fridge Logic; if one Ghostlight is a soul, why are ghosts surrounded by multiple ones?) Sometimes, when a character is suddenly mortified or depressed about something, they will be portrayed as squatting in a (possibly nonexistent) corner, back turned to the main cast, with a black halo and ghost lights. Interestingly, hitodama (or kitsunebi or onibi) are created by rotting compounds of a body. Although these lights give a ghostly/comical atmosphere on TV, it's perfectly possible to witness them in real life by this explanation, and who knows what they mean then... Not to be confused with The Doctor Who serial Ghost Light. See Cold Flames for \"flames\" that aren't actually fire. Examples of Ghost Lights include:"@en .