In the shadowy forests and moonlit villages of Romania, there are whispers of a creature that never truly dies — the Moroi. Unlike its more famous cousin, the vampire, the Moroi is less about charm and more about dread. It doesn’t seduce. It hungers.

What Is a Moroi?

The Moroi (pronounced mor-oy) is a creature of Romanian folklore often described as a revenant — an undead being risen from the grave. Typically, a Moroi is the restless spirit of a person who died before their time, was improperly buried, or was cursed in life. It may return as a phantom, vampiric corpse, or ghoul-like figure, preying on the living, especially family members.

In some legends, Moroi are said to:

• Drain life force from the living during sleep

• Haunt their former homes or graveyards

• Appear as shadowy, gaunt, or corpse-like figures

• Cry out in the night, causing illness or madness

• Be especially drawn to infants, animals, and the sick

How Is a Moroi Created?

The folklore varies, but common causes include:

• Unbaptised babies

• Witches or sorcerers cursed in death

• People born with a caul (veil over the face)

• Those who lived wicked lives or died violently

In some regions, people believed that improper burial rituals or lack of mourning could cause the dead to return. Protective rites were often performed: garlic hung in doorways, nails driven into coffins, and graves watched through the night.

How to Protect Yourself from a Moroi

Folklore recommends several defences:

• Garlic, salt, and iron placed around the home

• Religious icons and holy water

• A stake through the heart or complete cremation if the Moroi is found and disinterred

• Whispering prayers at crossroads or placing poppy seeds around the bed (to confuse the undead)

Moroi vs. Strigoi: What's the Difference?

Though often confused, Moroi are usually associated with ghost-like or semi-corporeal spirits, while Strigoi are more physical — closer to what modern culture thinks of as vampires. Some tales describe Moroi as the spirits of children and Strigoi as their adult counterparts.

Why the Moroi Still Haunt Us

What makes the Moroi so unsettling isn’t just its appearance — it’s the fear that death is not the end. That something unsatisfied, unloved, or forgotten might find its way back to the living world. The Moroi reminds us that rituals matter, and that grief left unspoken can become something monstrous.

Whether a restless spirit or a creature of darkness, the Moroi remains one of Romania’s most chilling and enduring legends.