Notes on Vampires in History and Folklore

Types of Vampires

• Folkloric Vampire:
  • Based on popular belief in Eastern Europe.
• Literary/Pop Culture Vampire:
  • Derived from Bram Stoker's novel Dracula and its descendants.
• Both types share characteristics but differ significantly.

Early Vampire Legends & Beliefs

• Many cultures have tales of blood-sucking creatures preying on innocents, linked to wasting illnesses.
• Examples include the Greek lamiae and Roman striae, which are witch-like figures.
• Some are classified as revenants, returning from death like ghosts.
• Isobel Gloag's The Kiss of the Enchantress (1890) illustrates the lamia concept.

The East European Vampire

• By the 11th century, a consolidation of motifs formed a vampire legend complex in Eastern Europe.
• The Christianization of Slavs around 700 CE led to the shift from cremation to burial, potentially fostering vampire beliefs.

Vampire Characteristics

• Typically die before their time, believed to return as undead.
• Associated with causing illness among loved ones, possibly linked to dreaming of the deceased.
• They served as explanations for epidemics and unexplained illnesses before germ theory.
• Agnes Murgoci described the reanimated corpse as the typical vampire type.

Vampire Burials

• During epidemics, exhumations of suspected vampires were common to prevent further disease; archaeological findings from Poland reveal attempts to ‘kill’ these individuals.

Who Could Be a Vampire?

• Individuals who died first in an epidemic.
• Social outcasts, including alcoholics, suicides, and social deviants.
• Foreigners and the unbaptized were also considered likely candidates.

Vampire Actions

• Predominantly believed to spread disease, often through dream appearances.
• Not traditionally viewed as bloodsuckers, though biting locations included thorax or nipples instead of the neck.

Origins of Vampire Beliefs

• Exhumation practices during epidemics informed the belief in vampirism, with the 1700s yielding vital insights on folk beliefs.

“Signs” of Vampirism

• Indications included lack of decay, signs of fresh blood, swelling, and disturbing noises from corpses.
• These observations were misinterpreted due to imperfect knowledge of decomposition.

Protection Methods

• Common practices against vampirism included:
  • Garlic, religious artifacts, and consumption of suspected vampire's blood.

Vampire as Social Reality

• Beliefs in vampires transcended forensic explanations, implying both a spirit and corporeal form.
• Representations of fear concerning the other and death were significant.

The Historical Vampire

• Real Count Dracula:
  • Vlad III (c. 1428-1477), known for brutality, was associated with the Dracul legend, meaning ‘dragon.’
• Countess Elizabeth Báthory:
  • Accused of murdering up to 650 girls, she became linked to vampire lore, notably for allegations of bathing in blood.
• Stands as a symbol of social inequality, reflecting the power dynamics of the upper class over peasants.

Evolution of the Vampire

• Shift from folkloric fears of the other to romanticized, attractive portrayals in literature and films:
  • Key Examples:
  • Nosferatu (1922) presented Count Orlok.
  • Twilight series introduced sympathetic vampire protagonists.

Modern Interpretations

• Contemporary vampires are modeled as desirable figures rather than sources of fear:
  • Films like Hotel Transylvania depict vampires in a more relatable, familial light.
• Representation evolves, focusing on positive traits rather than monstrous characteristics, appealing to current audiences.

The Role of Folklore in Modern Culture

• Despite being largely dismissed, vampire beliefs persist in folk culture through ostension, where legends are enacted in real or virtual contexts.

Vampire Subculture

• Fan Fiction and Games:
  • Communities develop around vampire narratives, exploring themes often absent from original works.
• Lifestyle Vampires:
  • Adopt the aesthetic without blood consumption, sometimes viewed skeptically by ’real’ vampires.

Psychological and Health Considerations

• Studies indicate many participants in vampire subculture may have mental health challenges, with some embracing vampire identity for community acceptance.
• Health Risks:
  • Potential transmission of diseases through blood consumption emphasizes that no method of blood consumption is entirely safe.

Conclusion

• Vampires encapsulate human fears and desires, evolving with cultural shifts.
• Legends morph from feared monsters to engaging narrative figures reflecting societal dynamics.