For horror enthusiasts, the Rake monster is a name that sends chills down the spine—a terrifying figure that has etched itself into the dark corners of internet lore.
This bizarre creature (whose origins can be traced back to a strange Creepypasta urban legend) has become a staple in online horror. With its pale, gaunt appearance and unsettling presence, the Creepypasta Rake haunts those who dare to read its story.
So, who is this unworldly Rake monster? Where did it come from? What exactly inspired the urban legend? And could there be more to the story?
Let’s find out.
In this article:
What is Creepypasta?
First things first: What is Creepypasta? Some of you may have heard the word, but many may have no idea what we are talking about.
Creepypasta is a genre of online horror stories that emerged from the internet’s earliest days, blending the eerie with the everyday to create unsettling narratives.
These stories are often short, written by anonymous authors, and shared widely across forums, social media platforms, and dedicated websites.
The term “Creepypasta” itself is a portmanteau of “creepy” and “copypasta,” typically referring to how these narratives are copied and pasted across the internet.
Creepypasta’s origins can be traced back to early 2000s forums, where users shared and built on each other’s horror stories.
One of the earliest examples is “Ted the Caver,” a blog-style narrative that surfaced in 2001, detailing a man’s terrifying spelunking experiences.
This early story set the stage for the Creepypasta format—stories presented as accurate, often through first-person accounts, that gradually descend into horror.
As the genre evolved, dedicated platforms like Creepypasta.com emerged in 2008, serving as a central hub where users could read and contribute stories.
Over the years, the website became instrumental in popularizing the genre, hosting thousands of stories, including now-iconic legends like Slender Man, Jeff the Killer, or Smiling Man.
These stories often tap into collective fears and urban legends, blurring the line between fiction and reality in a way that profoundly resonates with readers.
Other notable Creepypasta stories include “Ben Drowned” (about a haunted video game cartridge) and “The Expressionless” (about a mannequin-like woman who wreaks havoc in a hospital).
All these well-written urban legends helped Creepypasta basically transform into a digital version of campfire tales, spreading virally with each retelling adding to the mythos.
But Creepypasta’s influence has extended beyond the internet. So much so that it inspired books, films, and even real-world incidents—like the tragic 2014 stabbing in Wisconsin, where two young girls attacked a friend in an attempt to appease Slender Man.
Creepypasta Rake Monster: Origins and Speculative Theories
Let’s be honest. The Rake is one of the most spine-chilling creatures to ever come out of the internet’s dark corners. And while pinpointing its origins can be challenging, we believe it first appeared in 2005 on 4chan’s notorious /b/ board.
It all started with several 4chan users who opened a collaborative thread where they brainstormed a new monster.
Did you know?
In some online forums, people have speculated that the Rake could be a misidentified Skinwalker (a shape-shifting creature from Navajo legends). The similarities in appearance and behavior between the Rake and descriptions of Skinwalkers have led to debates about whether the Rake is a digital evolution of this ancient myth.
This new creature—which they named the Rake monster—quickly became extremely popular among horror fans who shared the story across many other online platforms and social networks.
However, the Rake monster story grew darker with time (especially with the spread of horrifying accounts and supposed encounters).
For example, an anonymous user published a story in which he claimed he found proof of Rake’s existence far older than the 4chan story:
- One of the earliest mentions comes from a 1691 mariner’s log, where a ship’s crew reported being haunted by a creature eerily similar to the Rake. The log grimly concludes, “We shall not return here again at the request of the Rake.”
- Fast-forward to the 1880s, a translated journal entry from Spain adds another layer of terror. The writer repeatedly describes experiencing “the greatest terror” and recounts seeing the Rake’s hollow, black eyes that seemed to pierce right through them. The entry ends with the chilling note, “His wet hand. I will not sleep.”
- In 1964, an alleged suicide note added yet another disturbing element to the Rake’s mythology. The note’s author mentions repeatedly awakening to the Rake monster’s presence, form, and voice, stating that they can no longer bear the fear of what they might wake to next. The note ends with a heartbreaking farewell and a cryptic reference to a personal letter that reads, “Dearest Linnie, I have prayed for you. He spoke your name.”
Of course, none of these claims could be verified with any actual evidence. The mariner’s log, the journal, and the suicide note most likely do not exist.
But this didn’t stop the legend from spreading even faster. And on top of that, new speculative origins emerged.
Recommended read:
- Top 10 Most Mysterious African Cryptids You Need to Know About
- Top 11 Most Bizarre and Terrifying Native American Cryptids
- Is the Flatwoods Monster Real? An In-Depth Investigation of the 1952 Sighting
For instance, some think the Rake monster may be a demonic entity summoned through dark rituals. Others believe it might be the result of a failed genetic experiment. There’s even a theory that the Rake is an ancient cryptid. Probably a beast that has preyed on humans for generations.
Again, despite all these creepy stories, there’s no concrete proof that the Rake monster ever existed.
But that’s precisely what makes the Rake so terrifying—its ambiguity. It’s a savage beast that can invade the most personal and secure places. Your home, your bedroom, even your bed. And turn them into scenes of pure dreadfulness.
It’s not just the physical threat that frightens. It’s also the psychological impact. The sheer dread of knowing something so wicked could be watching you. Right now.
What Does the Rake Monster Look Like?
The Rake monster is the stuff of nightmares—a creature straight out of your darkest fears.
Just imagine a skinny, humanoid figure with sickly pale skin, moving with an unsettling blend of human and animal-like motions. Its limbs are unnaturally long, ending in razor-sharp claws that can be used to climb walls and trees with ease (or rip through flesh as easily as paper).
And then there are those eyes—glowing orbs that seem to pierce right through you, locking you in a gaze that paralyzes you with terror.
But it’s not just the look of this creature that gets under your skin.
The Rake monster is fast—inhumanly fast—moving with a speed and agility that leaves you with little hope of escape. Its strength is no less terrifying. It’s so powerful that it can overpower its victims (men, women, and children) in seconds.
Additionally, the Creepypasta Rake monster is also intelligent. It can think and rationalize. That makes it a formidable adversary that is almost impossible to outsmart.
From Creepypasta to Cultural Phenomenon
The Rake’s impact isn’t confined to online stories. Its terrifying presence has seeped into multiple forms of media, from literature and art to video games and YouTube series.
One of the most notable examples is its influence on the Slenderverse, particularly in the YouTube series EverymanHYBRID—where the Rake appears as a menacing figure, blending seamlessly with the mythos of other iconic Creepypasta characters like Slender Man.
Did you know?
The Rake has inspired several short horror films, one of the most notable being a 2018 movie titled “The Rake.” The film, however, takes some creative liberties with the creature’s lore.
The creature has also made its way into independent horror games, where players must escape or confront it in nightmarish scenarios. One of the most popular is “The Rake” (available on Steam).
The creature has also inspired many fan art and short stories that continue to be shared on platforms like Reddit and DeviantArt.
What Cryptozoologists Say About the Rake
Given how and where the Rake’s myth started, it’s no surprise that cryptozoologists look at it highly skeptical.
In fact, the Rake monster (like many creatures that emerge from urban legends and internet folklore) doesn’t even fit into traditional cryptozoological categories—such as Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster.
The Creepypasta Rake monster is unanimously seen as a modern creation rooted in the collective fears of the digital age rather than a creature with any historical basis or credible sightings.
It’s seen more as a reflection of our anxieties. Of our ancestral fear of the unknown or the unseen (particularly in the safe spaces of our homes).
Some cryptozoologists even compare the Rake monster to other mythological creatures, remarking that, while it lacks the evidence required to be considered a true cryptid, its story still provides valuable insight into how modern myths are created and propagated through the internet.
Is the Rake Real?
Short answer: No. The Rake isn’t a cryptid in the traditional sense. It falls more into the “urban cryptids” category—entities that are more about cultural significance than actual existence.
The Rake is best understood as an urban legend born from the imaginations of horror fans on the internet. The original story was so well-crafted and engaging that it quickly spread across websites, forums, and social media, taking on a life of its own.
While the Rake monster is undoubtedly a terrifying figure in the world of online horror, there’s no credible evidence that it exists outside of these digital tales.
