Geisterbilder

Geisterbilder is a German term meaning "ghost images." It is used to describe several distinct phenomena in culture, psychology and media, all involving faint or uncanny images that resemble a ghost or a phantom figure.

In folklore and parapsychology, Geisterbilder often refer to apparitional experiences—perceived visions of deceased persons or spirits. Such experiences are reported across cultures, frequently in bereavement, dreams, or episodes of sleep disturbance. They are not scientifically validated as evidence of survival, and explanations typically include grief processing, pareidolia or perceptual bias.

In psychology and ophthalmology, the term may describe afterimages or pareidolic perceptions, such as seeing a figure in shadows, clouds, or patterns after exposure to bright stimuli. Afterimages and pareidolia are well-documented perceptual phenomena influenced by attention, fatigue or neurological state.

In photography and film, Geisterbild denotes ghost images or ghosting: faint duplicates or translucent overlays caused by double exposure, reflections, lens flare, or sensor artifacts. In classic film these can occur when light exposes the same frame more than once; in digital imaging they may arise from processing choices or lens characteristics.

In art and culture, the Geisterbild motif is used to evoke memory, haunting or the presence of the past through silhouettes, shadows or partial figures.

Notes: the term has no single scientific definition and its precise meaning depends on context—folklore, psychology, photography or art.