Also called Larva.
The tale
Larvae were the frightening dead, spirits of those who died badly or whose rites were neglected. Plautus uses larvatus, possessed by a larva, to mean mad. Apuleius later divides the dead into lares, who are kindly, larvae, who are harmful, and manes, a general term. Small bronze skeletons called larvae were passed round at banquets as a reminder to enjoy life while it lasts.
When they are met
- Lemuria, 9, 11 and 13 May
- Parentalia, to keep the dead content
Staying on their good side
- Black beans cast behind you
- Clanging bronze or a bell
- Salt at the threshold
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Keep proper rites for your own dead so none become restless.
- Ring a bell and cleanse the home if it feels heavy.
- Do not try to call them up.
What their tales teach
- Protection from hauntings
- Clearing heavy atmospheres
Symbols
- skeleton
- mask
- black beans
The line between larvae and lemures was blurred even in antiquity.
Sources
- Apuleius, De Deo Socratis 15
- Plautus, Menaechmi
- Petronius, Satyricon 34
More Roman folklore
- Genius Loci The guardian spirit of a place
- Lemures The hungry ghosts of May
- Striges The screech-owls of the night
- The Sibyl of Cumae The prophetess of the hundred-mouthed cave
- Fauns The goat-legged spirits of the woods
- The Versipellis The werewolf by the tombs
- Mania Mother of the dead and nursery bogey
- Lamia (in Roman sources) Child-devouring witch of Roman tales