“On a chilly, fall night in November 1966, two young couples drove into the TNT area north of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, when they realized they were not alone.”
“What they saw that night has evolved into one of the great mysteries of all time hence the Mothman Legacy began. It has grown into a phenomenon known all over the world by millions of curious people asking questions. What really happened? “What did these people see? Has it been seen since? It still sparks the world’s curiosity – the mystery behind Point Pleasant, West Virginia’s MOTHMAN.” – Plaque at The Mothman Statue.
The Mothman first came into people’s consciousness in 1966 at Point Pleasant. Soon after, people started to see this Being regularly at odd places. As the sightings grew in frequency and intensity, people felt a collective unease. Now, The Mothman was seen looking into windows and hovering over the tops of houses. Then in December 1967, the Silver Bridge which spanned the Ohio River at Point Pleasant collapsed, killing forty-six people.
The Mothman became known to a wider group of people when John Keel wrote “The Mothman Prophecies” in 1975. After the 2002 movie, “The Mothman Prophecies,” came out, the town of Point Pleasant started their The Mothman Festival. Now there is a statue and museum of this Being in the town.
What does The Mothman look like? Everyone who has seen Him reports a being of immense size with a large wingspan. The eyes are huge, bright, and red. Witnesses remark on the sense of awe and dread that The Mothman inspires. Modern depictions of The Mothman show a black humanoid moth with frenulum. (Note 1) The eyes are large, round and ruby red.
Since 1967, people have reported seeing The Mothman (or Mothmen) elsewhere. Starting in 2000, sightings have been abundant around Chicago and the Great Lakes region. Others in Japan and Mexico have seen The Mothman just before catastrophes.
Some investigators believe that The Mothman is more ancient than people think. Various investigators have connected Him with the Angel of Death as described in the Old Testament. Worldwide, there are beliefs of flying demons as messengers of death. The Mothman does fly at night and is seen to hover near a possibility of disaster or death.
Since The Mothman is a mystery, people have tried to define Him according to their worldview. For some, The Mothman is an unknown animal, yet to be discovered. Others believe that He is an alien since UFOs have been spotted near Him at times. The Mothman could be an interdimensional Being who travels through the dimensions or He is simply a supernatural being.
People do associate The Mothman with prophecy as the Harbinger of Doom. The Mothman connects humans with the unknown, the darkness, the shadow. He challenges people’s perceptions and brings change in his wake. Symbolizing the enduring impact of tragedy and grief, The Mothman is a shock to the system. He stirs up a deep, primal fear reminding people that their familiar world will shift and crumble. The Mothman forces people to face the uncertainty of life. This alone makes Him frightening to many.
Notes
Note 1. Frenulum is a small-bristle that connects the forewing and hindwings of a moth, allowing both to move together.
Suggested Reading:
John Keel, “The Mothman Prophecies.” The original record
Loren Coleman, “Mothman: Evil Incarnate: The Unauthorized Companion to ‘The Mothman Prophecies’.”
Tobias Wayland, “The Lake Michigan Mothman.” Analysis of the Mid-West sightings
Lon Strickler, “Mothman Dynasty: Chicago’s Winged Humanoids.”
Please Note: Mothman Plush Doll is available for purchase from Hyena Atleir at Etsy. I have one of her dolls on my altar. https://www.etsy.com/shop/HyenaAtelier