Vampire Mythology: Science Vs. Folklore

The vampire embodies both man’s desire for eternal life and fear of the unnatural. The vampire is an interesting creature. Vampirism itself is a form of a curse usually passed on through the bite of a vampire though some versions believe that one must drink the cursed blood of a vampire to become a vampire oneself. This method of “reproduction” in sense has naturally connected the vampire with diseases and plagues, However this was not the only method a vampire could be created. Incorrect burial rituals or the presence of particular animals around graves could also result in the birth of one of these fictional monsters. The methods of identifying and destroying vampires also vary depending on the culture. Usually the weakness to sunlight and lack of a reflection can easily reveal one of these creatures however distastes to garlic, natural sense within virgins, and reactions of white coated animals can reveal a vampire in disguise. As for the killing of a vampire the most popular method is the driving of a stake through the heart. However sunlight, silver, religious rituals, and fire are frequently used for their disposal. The versions of the vampire myth are almost as numerous as there are differences in human culture. From the Indian Vitalis to the Chinese Yanke, vampires can be found all over the world.

The vampire has changed significantly over the ages. Originally it was simply a walking corpse hungry for the blood of the living, barely aware yet somehow cunning and elusive. It was impossible to catch outside of its coffin where it rested during the day as it is vulnerable to sunlight. Like most humanoid mythical creatures the vampire wa also given the ability to shape shift, usually changing itself to that of a large wolf and later as the myth evolved a bat. Further into the development of the myth during the 19th century the vampire turns into a suave. They were mysterious individuals who gained immense wealth over their immortal lifetime. However, during this time the vampire is still a sinister figure as it is connected to Satanism and other feared religious artifacts.

In modern times the vampire has lost much of its negative connotations and has seen a rebirth of its suave and mysterious characteristics as well as other desirable traits such as its eternal conflict with its own nature leading the vampire to become a somewhat tragic figure. The abilities of the vampire have surprisingly not changed very much at all. While the weakness to sunlight has taken many forms, the need for human blood, eternal life, immense strength, and increased senses have remained more or less intact throughout the ages. Only the shapeshifting of the vampire have been given less and less attention as the myth has progressed and though ancient vampires are no longer entirely recognizable in the modern myth, the vampire will no doubt be with us for ages to come.