BROWN MOUNTAIN LIGHTS

ORIGIN: North Carolina.

This urban legend comes from North Carolina, near Brown Mountain in the Pisgah National Forest. 

For over a century, residents and visitors have retold witnessing mysterious glowing orbs that float and dance above the mountain, usually only appearing after dusk. 

These lights are red, orange, or white, and they move in strange, fast patterns, sometimes going close to the ground below before quickly moving away or vanishing into the night.

The origins of the legend is mostly in folklore. 

Cherokee tales speak of ghost and spirits moving about the area, while modern stories say the lights are lanterns carried by the spirits of Native American maidens searching for their fallen warriors. 

Another version of the legend tells that the lights are the souls of slaves who died while trying to get their freedom in the rugged terrain.

Despite scientific attempts to explain the phenomenon— ranging from swamp gas to reflections of car headlights— not one has succeeded to solve the mystery.