Vampires are more popular today than ever. Thanks to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series and the popularity of her character Edward Cullen, interest in vampires continues to grow. How and when did the vampire myth begin?
Vampire History
Many cultures throughout the world have myths about half human creatures that drink blood. The Aztecs had the civatateo, while the ancient Greeks feared the lamia. The richest in vampire lore are the Slavic nations of Eastern Europe. This is where many of the vampire beliefs originated including their dislike of garlic, how they can't be seen in mirrors and how to kill them.
Bram Stoker's Dracula and Vlad the Impaler
Bram Stoker brought the vampire to life in 1897 with his classic novel Dracula. The character Count Dracula was based on Vlad III, also known as Vlad Draculea. Nicknamed Vlad the Impaler, Vlad III was a Romanian prince in the 15th century known for his cruel and torturous ways.
During his reign he killed thousands of men, women and children by driving wooden stakes through them. He enjoyed watching their slow, agonizing deaths and had a reputation for dining while observing his victims. It's said that Vlad the Impaler would even dip his bread into their blood.
Vampire Movies and TV Shows
Beginning in 1931 with Bela Lugosi in Dracula, vampire movies and TV shows have delighted audiences time and time again. While horror films such as Salem's Lot and The Lost Boys were meant to frighten audiences, George Hamilton gave audiences a chuckle in Love at First Bite.
One of the most beloved vampires of all times is Barnabas Collins, portrayed by Jonathan Frid, in the 1960s Gothic soap opera series Dark Shadows. Since that time many other vampires have been portrayed on TV in series such as Moonlight, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Vampire Diaries.
Modern Day Vampires
A good depiction of a modern day vampire can be seen in the 2004 reality TV series Mad Mad House. Ten competitors move into a house where five people of alternate lifestyles reside. One of them is Don Henrie, a self-proclaimed vampire. Free episodes can currently be found online.
Edward Cullen and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series
Although some vampires have been romanticized, none have come close to the charactor of Edward Cullen in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. Described as beautiful, Edward even goes against other vampires in order to protect Bella, the human that he falls in love with. This single character has cast a whole new light on vampires showing that they are not all evil, blood sucking creatures.
So, are there really half human, undead creatures who grow fangs, suck people's blood, and can turn into a bat at will? The answer to that question is "no." However, there are human beings who like to live a vampire-like lifestyle, which includes drinking human blood.
Readers may also enjoy Are Zombies Real? , along with What Is A Poltergeist?, and Is Psychic Ability Evil?
Source:
- Exploring the Unexplained, Matthew McCann Fenton, (Time Books,) 2006.
- Twilight, Stephenie Meyer, ( Little, Brown and Company,) 2005
Janis Masyk-Jackson - I'm here to seek out the truth about some of life's mysteries. There is nothing new about New Age beliefs. These are beliefs that have ...
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