Difference Between Ghoul and Zombie

The main difference between ghoul and zombie is that ghouls are demon-like creatures that also feed on human flesh and zombies are undead corpses that feed on human flesh.

ghoul vs zombie

Ghoul and zombie are the most popular fictional characters. They are simply folkloric creatures seen in literature and film. Ghoul and zombie are carnivorous creatures. There is a noticeable difference between the ghoul and the zombie. Ghouls are the graveyard-related creatures that consume human flesh. Zombie is an undead (fictional) creature or person in a trance state. Ghouls were first introduced in the famous book “One Thousand and One Nights”. Ghouls were first seen in English in William Beckford’s novel “Vathek”. That novel has a description of a demon from Arabian folklore. Zombies became famous after the George A. Romero movie “Night of the Living Dead” (1968). Ghouls are believed to be non-human, or were human, but are only transformed. Zombies are dead people who have come back to life or who look like it. Ghouls have a childlike or animal intelligence. Zombies have no intelligence. Ghouls feed on corpses and dead things. They thrive in cemeteries or graves looking for the dead. Zombies are the creatures that just want to feed or attack unless controlled. They crave human flesh and brains. As far as their intelligence is concerned, ghouls are considered to have powers of thought and can make decisions. Zombies have no intelligence, so they are considered thoughtless creatures. Ghouls are created by black magic or possessed by some demon. Zombies are disgusting creatures created by the bite of another zombie or by voodoo. Zombies are the creatures that just want to feed or attack unless controlled. They crave human flesh and brains. As far as their intelligence is concerned, ghouls are considered to have powers of thought and can make decisions. Zombies have no intelligence, so they are considered thoughtless creatures. Ghouls are created by black magic or possessed by a demon. Zombies are disgusting creatures created by the bite of another zombie or by voodoo. Zombies are the creatures that just want to feed or attack unless controlled. They crave human flesh and brains. As far as their intelligence is concerned, ghouls are considered to have powers of thought and can make decisions. Zombies have no intelligence, so they are considered thoughtless creatures. Ghouls are created by black magic or possessed by some demon. Zombies are disgusting creatures created by the bite of another zombie or by voodoo.

Comparison chart

What is Ghoul?

Ghoul is a monster or folk spirit. He is a fictional character who is believed to dwell in graveyards. Usually he is classified as undead. The term ghoul’ was first used in English literature in the oriental novel ‘Vathek’ by William Beckford, in 1786. This novel describes the ‘ghūl’ of Arabic folklore. The first book that mentions ghouls is ‘The Arabian Nights’. This term ‘ghoul’ derives from the Arabic word ‘ghoul’ which means to seize. This term was etymologically related to demons. However, the term ghoul is derogatory, as it is primarily used to refer to a person whose profession is tied to death, such as a gravedigger, or who delights in the ghoulish. in the stories, Ghouls are believed to be either non-human or were humans who have transformed humans into ghouls. Ghouls are said to have an intelligence similar to that of an animal or a child. It means that they have thoughts and also a will of their own. Ghouls feed on human corpses and dead humans or animals. They usually thrive in cemeteries or in the graves they dig for the dead. Additionally, ghouls are also believed to be created by black magic or possessed by some demon. They are attracted to the dead, but can also attack living beings. Due to their low intelligence, ghouls are considered to have powers of thought and can make decisions. Ghouls become like this before death, unlike zombies that transform from humans into zombies after death. The ghouls are cunning and appear to be a virus. Ghouls are also believed to be created by black magic or possessed by some demon. They are attracted to the dead, but can also attack living beings. Due to their low intelligence, ghouls are considered to have powers of thought and can make decisions. Ghouls become like this before death, unlike zombies which transform from humans into zombies after death. The ghouls are cunning and appear to be a virus. Ghouls are also believed to be created by black magic or possessed by some demon. They are attracted to the dead, but can also attack living beings. Due to his low intelligence, ghouls are considered to have power of thought and can make decisions. Ghouls become like this before death, unlike zombies which transform from humans into zombies after death. The ghouls are cunning and appear to be a virus.

What is Zombie?

Zombies are believed to be dead people who have come back to life or who resemble it. Zombies are most popular in horror movies and modern fiction. The term “zombie” has several etymologies. One of them is that it is derived from the Caribbean word “jumbie” which means “ghost”. Another etymology is that this word is derived from “nzambi” which means “spirit of a dead person” in Kongo. Another etymology says that it is derived from “zonbi” which was used in Haitian Creole and Louisiana Creole. Zombie is a fictional creature. It is a creature that is in a trance. Zombies became famous after a movie “Night of the Living Dead” by George A. Romero (1968). They are still very popular in modern fiction and horror movies. They have no intelligence. They obey simple instructions from the person who encouraged them. Zombies are considered to have no thoughts. Zombies are created by the bite of another zombie or by voodoo. They are more attracted to humans and eat human flesh and brains. Zombies are undead and are animated by magic. The main characteristics that define a zombie are its lack of will, its unconsciousness. They are being created from a human corpse. Hence, zombies are corpses reanimated by some means (magic, toxic waste, etc.) and seek to devour the living. It is believed that if a zombie bites or scratches another human, he too will turn into a zombie. It would not be wrong to call zombies a contagious virus. Zombies cannot speak or control their movements. The main characteristics that define a zombie are its lack of will, its unconsciousness. They are being created from a human corpse. Hence, zombies are corpses reanimated by some means (magic, toxic waste, etc.) and seek to devour the living. It is believed that if a zombie bites or scratches another human, he too will turn into a zombie. It would not be wrong to call zombies a contagious virus. Zombies cannot speak or control their movements. The main characteristics that define a zombie are its lack of will, its unconsciousness. They are being created from a human corpse. Hence, zombies are corpses reanimated by some means (magic, toxic waste, etc.) and seek to devour the living. It is believed that if a zombie bites or scratches another human, he too will turn into a zombie. It would not be wrong to call zombies a contagious virus. Zombies cannot speak or control their movements.

Key differences

1. Ghoul are the graveyard-related creatures that consume human flesh, while zombie is an undead creature or a person in a trance state.
2. The ghouls are believed to be non-human, or were human, but only transformed into the other side. Zombies are dead people who have come back to life or who look like it.
3. Ghouls have an intelligence similar to that of a child or an animal, while zombies have no intelligence at all.
4. Ghouls feed on corpses and dead things, while zombies crave human flesh and brains.
5. Black magic creates ghouls or is possessed by some demon, on the other hand; Zombies are disgusting creatures created by the bite of another zombie or by voodoo.

Final Thought

Demons and zombies are fictional characters. Both are famous in horror movies because they are associated with the ‘dead’. But ghouls and zombies are different from each other in certain characteristics.