Vampires
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Vampire legends have been around for centuries. Popularised by Bram Stoker towards the end of the last century, there are now even some who would wish to become one. But looking at Vampiric stories there are various beliefs that appear almost inconsistant. Although all agree on the blood drinking and the idea that a dead vampire cleans up after itself nicely by turning to dust when killed. It is also a given that beheading will kill a Vampire (well if it didn't then it would certainly be inconvienced by it), although some maintain that the neck must then be stuffed with garlic, however other methods are less clear cut.
Day Light
Almost all stories say that the Vampire will be killed by exposure to sunlight. However some have in that the Vampire must return to his coffin and remain dormant throughout day light hours, whilst others maintain that whilst the body is inactive the mind may still be working, influencing the living. Others still say that a Vampire can be active in daylight and can even move around they just have to be sure that none of there skin is exposed to the sun. So it is only direct sunlight that proves fatal.
Stake through the Heart
Many have this as a sure fire way to kill a Vampire whilst others claim it is nonsense. Even amongst the fans of staking there are differences of opinion. Some claim that wood is the only thing that will do the job whilst others maintain any material works and it is because the organ is damaged and cannot heal itself with a big block of whatever in there, that the Vampire turns to dust. Some Vampire stories confuse me as to exactly why the stake through the heart is effective. They indicate that a Vampire does not have a pulse or heart beat so if there is no use for the heart then I cannot figure why putting a piece of wood through it would be more than a nuisance to a creature that can survive practically anything else. One aspect of staking however is what happens next. Some say the Vampire turns to dust whereas others maintain you would be left with a dead body, now free of demonic influence.
Crosses, religious artifacts and holy water
Some claim that these will autmatically burn and repulse a Vampire whilst others believe that such symbols merely act as a focal point for a persons faith and somehow that is able to kill or repulse the creature.
Garlic
This is meant to scare Vampires although I never followed why. Some maintain that Vampires have like an allergic reaction to it and so that repulses them whereas others do not think it worth mentioning.
Shape changing
Some stories have it that the average Vampire is also a shape changer that can become bat, wolf or any other demonic looking creature that they can imagine. Also it is suggested that they can become like mist allowing objects to pass right through them. It is also stated that they can look human but there faces distort into a demonic visage when they are about to feed. It is also debatable whether or not they can fly although that ability is usually linked with the ability to turn into a bat. Some of the stories say that instead of being able to change shape they are unable to change their appearance at all from what they looked like when they were taken. This would include things like length of hair and would negate the need to shave for males, which is helpful when stories indicate that a mirror would be useless to them anyhow.
Lack of reflection
Most stories indicate that one way of noticing a Vampire is to look for a missing reflection. Some take this even further saying that photographs, video, sound recordings or even telephones cannot capture the appropriate aspect of the Vampire, making proving their existance even more difficult.
Inviting them in
Many stories say that a Vampire can't enter a private address unless invited. Some indicate that this would be true for all buildings including ones any person can walk into such as shops and hotels. However once they have been invited they may come and go as they please. I cannot figure out however if a private residence that a Vampire has been invited into then has a change of ownership would that negate them entering it again or not. This might be especially important should the Vampire kill the previous occupant. Stemming from this it is also unclear whether the vampire needs to be invited in by the occupier of the building or if anyone can allow the vampire access. If the second is the case then that might explain why vampires occassionally use human servants. They could act like passes allowing the vampire in whereever it wanted to go.
Hypnotism and control
Especially important in Bram Stoker's Dracula is the idea that the Vampire is capable of controlling the mortal man and so has an agent who can go where he cannot and act in Daylight. This is the only example I have found where that is the case but that does not mean others do not exist.
Finally what happens when a person is taken is not 100% clear cut. Some say that a demon inhabits your body and the original person is dead. Others maintain that it is the same person before and after the change but whatever the case all agree that in order to become one of the undead it is necessary to both have your blood drank and then to drink the blood of the Vampire that drained you. Even though at least one source maintains that a pure breed Vampire can be born in the same way as human birth.
Day Light
Almost all stories say that the Vampire will be killed by exposure to sunlight. However some have in that the Vampire must return to his coffin and remain dormant throughout day light hours, whilst others maintain that whilst the body is inactive the mind may still be working, influencing the living. Others still say that a Vampire can be active in daylight and can even move around they just have to be sure that none of there skin is exposed to the sun. So it is only direct sunlight that proves fatal.
Stake through the Heart
Many have this as a sure fire way to kill a Vampire whilst others claim it is nonsense. Even amongst the fans of staking there are differences of opinion. Some claim that wood is the only thing that will do the job whilst others maintain any material works and it is because the organ is damaged and cannot heal itself with a big block of whatever in there, that the Vampire turns to dust. Some Vampire stories confuse me as to exactly why the stake through the heart is effective. They indicate that a Vampire does not have a pulse or heart beat so if there is no use for the heart then I cannot figure why putting a piece of wood through it would be more than a nuisance to a creature that can survive practically anything else. One aspect of staking however is what happens next. Some say the Vampire turns to dust whereas others maintain you would be left with a dead body, now free of demonic influence.
Crosses, religious artifacts and holy water
Some claim that these will autmatically burn and repulse a Vampire whilst others believe that such symbols merely act as a focal point for a persons faith and somehow that is able to kill or repulse the creature.
Garlic
This is meant to scare Vampires although I never followed why. Some maintain that Vampires have like an allergic reaction to it and so that repulses them whereas others do not think it worth mentioning.
Shape changing
Some stories have it that the average Vampire is also a shape changer that can become bat, wolf or any other demonic looking creature that they can imagine. Also it is suggested that they can become like mist allowing objects to pass right through them. It is also stated that they can look human but there faces distort into a demonic visage when they are about to feed. It is also debatable whether or not they can fly although that ability is usually linked with the ability to turn into a bat. Some of the stories say that instead of being able to change shape they are unable to change their appearance at all from what they looked like when they were taken. This would include things like length of hair and would negate the need to shave for males, which is helpful when stories indicate that a mirror would be useless to them anyhow.
Lack of reflection
Most stories indicate that one way of noticing a Vampire is to look for a missing reflection. Some take this even further saying that photographs, video, sound recordings or even telephones cannot capture the appropriate aspect of the Vampire, making proving their existance even more difficult.
Inviting them in
Many stories say that a Vampire can't enter a private address unless invited. Some indicate that this would be true for all buildings including ones any person can walk into such as shops and hotels. However once they have been invited they may come and go as they please. I cannot figure out however if a private residence that a Vampire has been invited into then has a change of ownership would that negate them entering it again or not. This might be especially important should the Vampire kill the previous occupant. Stemming from this it is also unclear whether the vampire needs to be invited in by the occupier of the building or if anyone can allow the vampire access. If the second is the case then that might explain why vampires occassionally use human servants. They could act like passes allowing the vampire in whereever it wanted to go.
Hypnotism and control
Especially important in Bram Stoker's Dracula is the idea that the Vampire is capable of controlling the mortal man and so has an agent who can go where he cannot and act in Daylight. This is the only example I have found where that is the case but that does not mean others do not exist.
Finally what happens when a person is taken is not 100% clear cut. Some say that a demon inhabits your body and the original person is dead. Others maintain that it is the same person before and after the change but whatever the case all agree that in order to become one of the undead it is necessary to both have your blood drank and then to drink the blood of the Vampire that drained you. Even though at least one source maintains that a pure breed Vampire can be born in the same way as human birth.
