What's the difference between ghouls and zombies?

A ghoul is someone or something humanoid that eats human flesh or defiles corpses. The term ghoul can cover a variety of definitions, especially if you look at it through all the interpretations of fiction and/or gaming. Almost any humanoid monster can be described as a ghoul though the messing with dead bodies part is usually implied.

The word is derived from "Ghull" and Islamic/preislamic type of demon that steals dead bodies.

Zombies describe two types of creature.

Your classic zombie is a servant created by an evil mambo/hougan/wizard/shaman and originates from Central Africa and Carribean Voudoo folklore. The zombie may be a recently dead person brought to life with dark magic or a living person that's been put into a near death trance by the capture of their soul and/or drugging. This type of zombie is relentlessly loyal to it's master, unquestioningly obedient and may possess abnormal strength, toughness and immunity to injury and pain.

A dead zombie (more common to African folklore) should be fed salt which reminds it that it died, causing it to dig it's own grave. Living zombies must have their soul released from a magic jar. These zombies may turn on their creators if the spell is broken.

The modern style zombie is a corpse, either fresh or rotten that has been animated by a mysterious virus, radiation, chemicals or other science fiction explanation. They usually have severely reduced intellect and a hunger for human flesh or brains (which might make then a sort of ghoul). These zombies cannot be controlled. They exhibit a resistance to pain and possible abnormal strength but are often softer and easier to damage than normal humans due to their partially decayed state. They're usually dispatched by decapitation or a head wound.

The nature of this form of zombie is often infectious. Wounds received from this zombie will become septic and possibly incurable, the wounded will become a zombie upon death.

according to White Wolf's Vampire game line a ghoul is a living being who has partaken of Vampiric blood. this given the ghoul a small portion of the vampire's strength but bind him/her to the vampire.

in other lore both are corpses that have been reanimated by malevolent forces (be it necromancy or what have you) but a ghoul is not as limited by the the effects of decay as a Zombie would be. ghouls have to feed on human flesh to slow the decaying process while a zombie will simple go about obeying its master's orders until it has either completed its tasks or destroyed or decays to the point it can no longer move. a Zombie is usually controlled by some form of magic while ghouls generally can't be controlled. and in case you were wondering, people bitten by either of these undead don't immediately turn into undead (or else the world would be completely over run with them as is the case with most zombie movies) but may be infected with all kinds of deadly diseases, some of which may be confused with undead.

the zombie's portrayed in most zombie movies more like ghouls than zombies

A ghoul is a monster from ancient Arabian folklore that dwells in burial grounds and other uninhabited places. The English word comes from the Arabic name for the creature which literally means "demon." Ghoul is also the name for a desert-dwelling, shapeshifting demon that can assume the guise of an animal, especially a hyena. It lures unwary travellers into the desert wastes to slay and devour them. The creature also preys on young children, robs graves, and eats the dead.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghoul

A zombie is a reanimated corpse. Stories of zombies originated in the Afro-Caribbean spiritual belief system of Vodou, which told of the dead being raised as workers by a powerful sorcerer. Zombies are generally undead corpses brought back from the dead by supernatural or scientific means, and are rarely under anyone's direct control. They typically have very limited intelligence, and hunger for the flesh of the living.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie

A ghoul is a supernatural creature (of Arabic origin) that feasts on dead corpses. A zombie is an animated corpse (of Haitian/West Indian origin) raised by magical means to do the bidding of the 'bokor' or sorcerer that controls them. Differences- Zombies do not need to eat, drink or sleep. They have no will of their own and are subject to the bidding of their master. Ghouls are demonic creatures with a will of their own. They dwell underground in burial grounds and other uninhabited places. They feed on the flesh and blood of corpses and have the ability to shape-shift into various animals. Conclusion : The flesh-eating creatures in popular media are NOT zombies. Consider yourselves informed.

My take: Ghouls are the smart ones. They are creatures possessed that feed on the dead to regenerate themselves to their original possessed state. You cannot turn into a ghoul. Zombies are dead or living humans (entranced) that are controlled by a Necromancer/Wizard/etc. They feed on the living to stay animated (but do not regenerate their decay). You can be turned into a Zombie. Both can kill or spread disease to the living.

Wow I have never considered this before. I suppose that initially they are much the same and if they could reproduce they would have a heck of an offspring. However that being said I think the first answer is most likely quite accurate in the explanation that one is a reanimated human and the other a demon. Peace&Love be with you...~M~

Zombies are reanimated corpses that feast on human flesh, Ghouls are demon like creatures that feast on human flesh.

wow i think u got ur answer