Vampires 101

Myths and Legends Surrounding the Pop Culture Phenom

May 15, 2009 Mary Faler

There's no denying there's an allure about the walking undead, but after all is said and done, what is fact, and what is fiction?

Most people are pretty sure vampires aren't real. Vampires are rather creepy in movies, romantic in books, heroic on television, and entertaining on the whole. But vampires still are just figments of the imagination...right?

The vampire is no stranger in today's pop culture, from Robert Pattinson starring in Twilight to Moonlight, Underworld to Dracula. But are any of the beliefs about the vampires powers and abilities rooted in fact?

Fact and Fiction

Thanks to pop culture, there are a few universal truths known about vampires:

  • Vampires do not like the sunlight;
  • They can be repelled by any sort of Christian item; including, but not limited to, crucifixes, holy water, and consecrated ground;
  • Vampires are immortal and can be killed only with a wooden stake or by beheading;
  • And, most importantly (for the vain, at least), they have absolutely no reflection when viewed in a mirror.

But where do these ideas come from? Some of the more basic beliefs about the ideas of a vampire can be explained away by a lack of knowledge. But other vampire-related beliefs may be the result of misinformation about diseases. Years ago, medical information wasn't as wide spread as it is today, and rare genetic defects, such as xeroderma pigmentosum, would have been virtually unknown.

Xeroderma Pigmentosum is so rare, in fact, that it is estimated that one in one million people has the disease. People with XP are extremely sensitive to light, and thus, have to stay indoors away from the sun or else suffer blistering and serious skin damage that can ultimately lead to cancer. Additionally, those with XP can have a premature aging of their eyes, tongue, lips, etc.

Other superstitions, such as Christian emblems, hold true only because of the belief that vampires were Satanic and simple mechanisms used for warding off the Devil were also believed to be the same for vampires.

As for mirrors, they were contended to be a reflection of the soul. And, vampires, who are dead and therefore seemingly have no soul, do not possess a reflection.

Vampires and Reality

Genuine, sanguinarian (blood-drinking) vampires who fear the sunlight and are repulsed by garlic don't appear to be stalking the streets during the full moon. However, there does seem to be something to the legend, since it is as resilient as ever.

Take, for instance, it's etymology: in modern times they are known as "vampires," but the word seemingly comes from the proto-Indo-European (PIE) word "to fly," which lead to the Old Slavic word "oper," and then the Old Polish word "vaper," the German word "vampir," and finally the English word "vampyre."

It took a lifetime to get to the term known by many now —"vampire" — so it might not be as crazy as initially thought to believe the ever-adaptable blood suckers aren't actually out looking for a bite to eat.

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The copyright of the article Vampires 101 in New Age is owned by Mary Faler. Permission to republish Vampires 101 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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