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| | Vampire is a mythological or folklore evil spirits, which generally are revived human corpses, who feed on human or animal blood. They also are frequent objects of cinema or fiction, though vampires from artworks have got some differences from mythological vampires (Refer Characteristic features of vampires from artworks). In folklore, the term is usually used in relation to blood-sucking creature from East European legends, but often similar creations from other countries and cultures are also called vampires. Characteristic features of vampire, in various legends, vary a great deal. Some cultures have histories about inhuman vampires, for example, bats, dogs & spiders.
Vampirism is way of life, based on weaning of blood in victim, usually drinking the blood from person or animal. In folklore and modern culture, the term mainly refers to possibility of obtaining supernatural abilities by drinking human blood. Historical practice of vampirism can be considered as more specific and less popular form of cannibalism. Use of blood and/or flesh of other person in food was used as tactics of psychological war, directed for striking fear in the enemy and could be used to reflect various spiritual beliefs.
In zoology & botany, the term “vampirism” is used with respect to bloodsuckers, mistletoe, bat-vampires and other organisms, which feed on corporal liquid of other creatures. Term is also used and in relation to fictitious animals of similar nature, including chupakabra.
Term “vampire” can be used to designate any mythological magic creature, which is a predatory parasite, sucking force, energy or life from victims. Mythological creatures, which operate in similar fashion, are often considered as vampire sample, even if they do not enjoy blood.
Stories about dead persons, shedding blood are found almost in all cultures worldwide, including the most ancient stories. Vampire-like spirits, called Lilu, are mentioned in early Babylonian demonology & blood sucking Akshara even much earlier Sumerian mythology. These demons wandered in darkness, hunting and killing newborn babies and pregnant women. One of these demons by name Lilitu was later on adopted by Judaic demonology as Lilit.
In India, stories about Bethal, vampire-like creations, which move-into the corpses, were found in old Sanskrit folklore. Popular history narrates about King Vikramāditya and his pursuits in night with an aim to catch elusive Bethal. Stories about Bethal were collected into book Baital Pachisi. Bethal – cadaver, which as bat is associated with modern vampires, is associated with hanging head first on trees, growing on land, where dead are cremated and in cemeteries.
Limping corpse — analog of vampire in Chinese tradition; however, it feeds on vital essence of victim but not on blood.
In one of the myths, ancient Egyptian goddess Sekhmet turned into completely blood-thirst goddess after murder of people and was sated only after drinking a blood-colored drink.
In Homer’s “Odysseus”, Odysseus meets dead spirits during its trip to underworld, which are enticed to blood of sacrificed rams. Odysseus used this fact for the benefit by calling a shadow “Tiresia”.
In Rome, bloodsucking phantoms were called lamia, Jempus and lemurs. Strix, night bird, who fed on human blood and flesh, finds mention in Roman stories. Romanian word, designating vampires — striga — is formed from this word as also the name of Albanian Shtriga, but myths about these creatures basically indicate Slavic influence.
As an example for existence and popularity of similar legends in ancient times, it is possible to note that English historians and annalists Walter Map and William of Newburgh have written several histories in XII century, which have disputable similarity with East European vampires.
Myth about vampires, in the form, in which it is known to us, has appeared in Eastern Europe from Slavic folklore (in detail, it is discussed in next chapter), where vampires were creatures, which killed people by drinking their blood or their souls. Vampire could be destroyed, if its head is chopped-off, thrust wooden stick into its heart or burning the body. |
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Tales of vampires in many cultures were inspired by several kinds of bats who are natural vampires and drink blood of cattle and other animals. Such bats were considered to be spirits of the
undead consuming the blood or flesh of living beings.
Vampire costumes are traditionally on the top of the sales list every Halloween season.
