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Vampire
Traits
From folklore, fiction and my own personal
view.
- Vampires, being already dead, do not need most normal things required for human life, such as oxygen. They often have
a pale (for vampires from literature and cinema) or ruddy (for those from folklore) appearance, and are cool to the touch
from the perspective of humans.
- Vampires are sometimes considered to be shape shifters though this feature is more commonly present in fiction
than in the original folklore.
- Some vampires can fly. Sometimes this power is supernatural, other times it is connected to the vampire's ability to turn
into flying creatures (e.g.,bats) or into lightweight forms (e.g. smoke) and then create winds as a means of propulsion.
- Vampires typically cast no shadow and have no reflection. This mythical power is largely confined to European vampiric
myths and may be tied to folklore regarding the vampire's lack of a soul. In modern fiction, this may extend to the idea that
vampires cannot be photographed.
- Some tradititions hold that a vampire cannot enter a house unless he or she is invited in. This concept has been referenced
throughout the history of vampire fiction. Generally, however, after the first time the vampire is invited in he or she can
come and go as desired.
- Vampire powers are often limited during the day or in daylight. In some cases sunlight may burn or kill vampires, or they
may be comatose during the day.
- Vampires may be reluctant to enter or cross bodies of water, particularly running water.
- Some tales maintain that vampires must return to their native soil before sunrise to take their rest safely. Others place
native soil in their coffins, especially if they have relocated.
- Vampires in some tales have very specific dietary requirements while others do not. However, most tales of the undead
feature vampires that cannot eat (or at least cannot gain nourishment from) normal human food. In most cases they sustain
themselves by sucking living people's blood or life force ; this seems to be a requirement for their continued existence
regardless of whether they are able to absorb other food and drink, or gain anything from such.
Werewolves are sometimes held to become vampires after death, and vampires are frequently held
to have the ability to transform themselves into wolves.
- Apotropaics, or objects intended to ward off vampires, include garlic , a branch of wild rose and all things
sacred (e.g.,Holy water)This weakness on the part of the vampire varies depending on the tale. Garlic is confined mostly to
European vampire legends. In myths of other regions, other plants of holy or mythical properties sometimes have similar effects.
- There are three main ways to destroy a typical European vampire: a consecrated bullet, a wooden stake through the heart
where two roads meet, or decapitation. This includes other means of death that effectively removes a vampire's head, such
as incinerating the body completely.
- Old folklore from Eastern Europe suggests that many vampires suffered from a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, being
fascinated with counting.
- Vampires Dress elegantly, in usually dark velvet, medieval to victorian style, corsets,lace and Capes sometimes.
- Many Vampires either believe in God, the Devil, both or are pagan. Some worship the Devil, some believe that they are
pleasing god by killing mortals and keeping the good evil balance.
Weaknesses of vampires
Sunlight
Is said to kill vampires. In many books
all vampires seem to burn in the suns rays. Some psychic vampires are sensitive to sunlight. Tthey may burn easily (as in
geta sunburn not set fire) and their eyes may also be sensitive. Many psychic vampires wear sunglasses. The
sun seems to take some of their energy away, so they do not like long moments in the direct sun.
Garlic
Many Vampires are said to hate the smell of
garlic and cower from it. No idea why or where this myth came from. It might come from the idea about garlic thinning the
blood. So since energy is located in our blood, it would be extremely un-wise for a vampire to eat something that would also
thin the energy. Vampires can't stand garlic. If they eat or smell it, it may give them the same symptoms that somebody having
an asthma attack would experience or perhaps just a lot of coughing and feeling sick. Also rubbing it on their skin may burn
them and leave a rash according to legend.
Running water
This is an unsual one. I'm not sure
about blood drinkers but with psychic vampires it is an uncomfortable situation for them to be in. Swimming in the ocean makes
them quite uncomfortable, yet a pool or lake is fine. The reason for this is because moving water breaks down the flowing
energy cycle and this would make an uncomfortable situation for someone to be in who is sensitive towards energy.
Silver
This is more related to werewolves but silver
is said to be an inhibiter for vampires, so they mostly use silver as a way of shielding themselves from others emotions,
which they can feel as their own. It is also often used in sexual relations to prevent the non-vampire having the life drained
from them. Silver dampens or blocks their abilities to a certain degree. Psi-Vampires regard silver as a good or bad thing
to wear, depending on the situation.
Amethyst and Aventurine
Many normal vampires are not
affected by tthis but these stones are used for protection against psychic vampire attacks. They are mainly used for prevention
of astral vampirism, It's also possible to prevent a daylight vampire attack out in the streets with these stones.
Stake through the heart theory
This is meant to kill a vamprie outright. But lets face it, anyone would die is someone stabebd them throguh
the heart with a wooden stake.
Fire
Vampires are meant to be immortal but in many books i'm read they can be vanquished by fire. How i know not
but it's the same principle as the heat of the sun or the light. In some books vampires have come back from being burnt.
Crucifixes and churches
Many vampires are said not to be able to look upon the cross. personally i think this is just myth. Many vampires
tend to live in cemmetrys, under church floors etc so if they couldn't look at a cross then why would they enter a church?
Churches are meant to be to holy for vampires to go into. Many avoid them, especially the oens who are more
satanic but that doesn't mean it can kill them. There the old legend that they wil be struck dead if they enter the hosue
of god but so far no records of these happening can be found.
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