What Are they Exactly?

Above is an interpretaion that an artist, who made a photgraphic double of herself. She writes: " They say that you can never truly see yourself; not in mirrors, or photos, or windows, or water. All you see is a flat reflection. You go through life with only an idea of how other people see you in the three dimensions, always one step removed from every true angle. Unless you’re (un)-lucky enough to have a twin - “the creepy kind,” as one of my friends with a non-creepy, fraternal twin brother would put it. From mythical manifestations as partners-in-crime who finish each others’ sentences to polar opposites who seek to annihilate each other, the concept of twins has always enthralled and horrified the human race." http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=doppelganger&view=detail&id=1CD2270329B705973A8C8C673B4C59903CBE0D95&first=0&qpvt=doppelganger&FORM=IDFRIR

A doppelganger is basically a replica of one self. It derives from the German word meaning "double-goer". Doppelgangers may appear as a living-person or even a ghost. Some may even say that a doppelganger is an "evil twin" who can cause confusion and trouble in one's life. According to an article online, if you happen to see a doppelganger of yourself it is a bad omen and can even mean that death may be shortly in your future(Foster). Or if a family or friend sees a doppelganger of you, it could mean health problems and sickness are in your near future.
In my research, I found that a doppelganger has no reflection and no shadow(Brainz.org). Sounds a lot like some other urban legend I know? A vampire, cough cough. I also discovered that most doppelgangers are here only to haunt their other half. If you run into one, they will often try to cause confusion, and manipulate you to do deeds that they can't accomplish.
So basically, if you happen to run into someone who looks basically like an exact replica of your brother or friend; run the other way, because I doubt there will be any good that comes out of that encounter.




Foster, Nikki."What is a Doppelganger?" WiseGEEK. 10 Oct 2011. Web. 19 Oct 2011. http://t.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-doppelganger.htm

"What is a Doppelganger?" Brainz.org. Web. 19 Oct 2011. http://brainz.org/what-doppelganger/