Doppelgangers or Spirit Doubles

Natalie Portman and Keira Knightly

Doppelgangers are people who seemingly look exactly alike, but have no biological relation. The term Doppelganger was first used by German author Johann Paul Ritcher under the pen name Jean-Paul in 1796. It means double goer and was to describe spirit doubles in German Folklore.

According to old German folk tales All living creatures have a spirit double that lives an identical but invisible life. These spirits were essentially the "evil spirit twin" or the Mr. Hyde of the relationship to a person. These double spirits are distinctive from ghosts, as ghosts only show after death.

Seeing a doppelganger is seen as an omen. They show no shadows and is a replica or double of a living person. Sometimes they are considered to be a warning of an impending death. If relatives or friends see a doppelganger it would mean they'd become ill or in danger. If a person saw their own doppelganger it meant death.

The doppelganger may give their person advice. The advice, unfortunately, will be filled with malace or implant evil thoughts into their mind. All in all, it was known to not trust a doppelganger if you were to meet one.

Spirit doubles are in many civilizations throughout history.

The earliest references to spirit doubles were found in Zoroastrianism on the Zurvanite branch. They have an abstract duality of Zoroastrianism which is pictured as twins born of good and evil. The twin sons of Ahura Mazdā. Angra Mainyu was representative of evil and Spenta Mainyu is representative of the holy spirit.

Scientists say there is a completely logical reason for people who look the same to not be biologically connected. Humans are meant to look different for the importance of individuality in our species. Our features vary more than other animals do, but our genetics do not.

So while many people look different odds are that people will look similar even though they aren't biologically related. You'll find that they look almost identical, but if you take a closer look they aren't identical. You'll find that even if you find your doppelganger you'll see something they don't have that you have or vice versa. You can see similar features in modern religions like for example God and the Devil in Christianity.

In Ancient Egypt, Ka is said to be a spirit double that has the exact memories as the person. The exact definition of Ka is controversial though and may not mean as a spirit double, but as a protecting divine spirit of a person.

SOURCES:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doppelg%C3%A4nger
https://globalnews.ca/news/2300048/your-doppelganger-exists-according-to-science-heres-why/
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/doppelgangers-and-mythology-spirit-doubles-001825
https://mythology.net/others/concepts/doppelganger/