Doppelgängers are “twin strangers” – these entities appear to be an exact copy of a living person. Although there is no biological connection, the Doppelgänger is able to replicate everything – the person’s physical appearance, voice, and mannerisms. The concept of Doppelgänger has been popular in literature, with famous examples including Edgar Allan Poe’s “William Wilson” and Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Double.” In traditional folklore, encountering one’s own Doppelgängers is believed to be a sign of impending death or disaster.
Define Doppelgänger
Some legends suggest that Doppelgängers are supernatural in nature, while others describe them as being the result of a person’s own subconscious manifestation. But just exactly what does Doppelgänger mean? People get hung up on two things; whether the being is made of flesh or the spectral stuff. Technically, it doesn’t matter. The term “Doppelgänger” comes from the German language and literally means “double-goer.” It doesn’t pertain to the state the being is in, the only criteria is that it’s an exact double. Traditional Doppelgänger encounter stories have included both, flesh and spectral forms.
What does a Doppelgänger do?
The Doppelgänger is a mysterious and unpredictable force, with the power to influence and disrupt the lives of those it encounters. In some tales, the Doppelgänger is an evil twin, while in others, it’s a benevolent counterpart. There are a plethora of firsthand encounters online that read like stalker stories. They find out this ‘thing’ wearing their face is infiltrating their lives, interacting with friends and family members, trying to pass themselves off as the real version.
Are Doppelgängers Real?
Aside from believing anything is possible, there are a few different angles to approach this from. The first way would be to accept it at face value (pun intended) and as its own separate concept. Now, what is the concept at its core? A lookalike. Not only do we have identical, non-biological lookalikes right here in our very own world, but who’s to say we don’t have them in other world’s as well? Most likely, we would. They may even be us, or aspects of us, having multiple life experiences simultaneously and independently of one another. Only to come together and combine all that knowledge gained after “physical death”. Which, in that case, would be more of an awakening and union with self than a death.
If we have the “Many Worlds Theory” then why not the “Many You’s Theory”
There could be a version of you in every universe. This is pretty cool news, unless there’s an overlap or bleed through and two or more of you are now in the same universe. Because the rules are on duplicates remaining in the same space long-term are a bit…. well, theoretical. This parallel lives throughout the multiverse theory would certainly be the most efficient way to learn and collect data. But what happens when one or more “You” become aware of each other? That’s where the fear-based lore comes in.
Who’s to say the Doppelgänger and the Mimic aren’t the same creature?
A popular and plausible assumption is that the Doppelgänger is some other creature pretending to look like you. That it’s a spiritual entity and shapeshifter of some kind. There’s a name for the entity in that scenario – a Mimic. It’s demonic in nature but hides its true form, taking on the appearance of who or whatever gives it the greatest advantage in the moment. It can shapeshift into people, animals, or even objects.
Mimics are more “ghostly” in nature. You’ll experience them as a haunting. They will typically mimic voices more than anything else. Visually, you’ll usually catch glimpses of them from the side or the back. They don’t try to hold a “mimicked” physical form for long. Probably because you’ll have time to notice something is off. Something is always off. They are not an exact copy. If any connection could be made, one could speculate that mimics are the spirits of Doppelgängers. Just couldn’t find an identity of their own, even in death.
Are Doppelgängers real replicas or just Shapeshifters?
A Doppelgänger, by definition is a double or replica of a person. It’s a separate “race” in the world of things-that-go-bump-in-the-night. However, that does not mean a shapeshifter couldn’t also replicate a living person. It’s entirely possible a few shifters were mistaken for Doppelgängers over the years. Although, one theory doesn’t eliminate the others. Just as the existence of one entity does not negate the existence of another. There are still plenty of negative entities capable of mimicking humans to lure them away from safety.
Why would a Doppelgänger be bad luck?
Many consider seeing one’s own Doppelgänger a bad omen, but why? In some cultures, it’s believe one’s Doppelgänger is one’s self. Seeing one’s Doppelgänger means that person’s soul has separated from their body, leaving them vulnerable to danger or death. Throughout history, Doppelgängers have been featured prominently in literature, art, and popular culture as symbols of duality and existential dread. There are some that even believe Doppelgängers are associated with the devil.
When looking from the multiverse perspective, interacting with one of your “many yous” may present similar risks to creating a paradox while time traveling. You never know how it will affect things. It’s like tainting the experiment. Hence, the folklore about “bad luck” that keeps you from interacting with your “doubles.” That’s what folklore is after all, cautionary tales rooted in truths to prevent us from glitching our own matrix.
One famous doppelganger-like creature called the Fetch in Irish folklore.
The Fetch was said to be a supernatural creature that appeared in the form of a person’s double, but with a ghostly or ethereal quality. According to legend, if someone saw their own Fetch, it meant they would soon die. One such story, tells of a woman who saw her own Fetch while out walking alone on a quiet road. She knew in her bones that it was a bad omen, and soon after, she fell ill and died. Another story, tells of a man out camping in the woods who saw his own Fetch while sitting by the fire. Sure enough, he too passed away soon after. Enough of these strange encounters followed by death, led to the belief that the Fetch is a bad omen.
What is the evil agenda of a Doppelganger?
Encounters with doppelgängers are often marked by confusion, anxiety, and a sense of dread; as they signal a disturbance in the natural order or an intrusion from the spirit world. Doppelgängers are portrayed as diabolical figures or harbingers of doom, further cementing their association with the devil in the public imagination. This association with deceit and malevolence also reinforces the connection. While the association between doppelgängers and the devil is primarily rooted in folklore, it has persisted over time, contributing to the enduring fascination with these enigmatic and unsettling entities.
About Author
