Bloodless Vampires

[PaulaJedi]

Vampires. We all know about the legend of vampires and their infamous, insatiable thirst for blood. Let’s put a little twist in the legend, for conversation’s sake. What do you think of vampire who does not drink blood?

According to Paranormala.com, there is actually a greek version of the vampire called the vrykolakas, which is a word that is infact derived from the slavic term meaning fur or werewolf. It was once common belief that the werewolf could become a vampire after being killed and it did not necessarily drink blood. The blood reference seems to have come into play because of the reddish color of the werewolf-turned-vampire’s skin and the fact that he was enriched with“new blood”.

Other vampires in history were known to kill their victims in other ways, such as sitting on their chest, spreading disease, or simply acting like a menacing poltergeist, but it seems that history has stretched the imagination of the story tellers adding a bit more blood and gore to the legend.

Sources: Paranormala, Wikipedia
(old article I wrote for a radio show years ago)

 

[an_anonymous_onlooker]

Well in terms of legends, Count Dracula himself has many stories surrounding his arguable existence, one of which being that he didn't actually drink blood, but rather was an/the alternate identity of Vlad the Impaler, and would impale people in horrific ways and then display their bodies on his castle / manor walls.

 

[PaulaJedi]

It is interesting how stories evolve and so much is added as time goes by.

 

[an_anonymous_onlooker]

It is interesting how stories evolve and so much is added as time goes by.

I agree, with a lot of tales of the paranormal and such, I tend to adopt the opinion that "where there's smoke, there's fire" attitude for that very reason.
Life is like a game of Chinese whispers!

 

[Orpheus Rex]

Oh, vampires, lovely little legends. Truth is that there are hundreds, maybe even a few thousand different kinds of vampires according to the world's myths and legends, being an effective vampire slayer would take decades of studying. The now typical western stereotyped vampire is based off a fictional stories that were based off legends and historical figures. Vlad the Impaler certainly did provide inspiration for those fictional works. Truth be told, Vlad's wife was more vampyric. She supposedly would bath in the blood of young maidens in order to maintain her youth. It is elements like that that have been twisted into modern stereotypes. There are a lot of kinds of vampires that don't drink blood.

 

[Orpheus Rex]

Also, anonymous onlooker, Stiens;Gate is awesome.

 

[Samstwitch]

Vlad the Impaler certainly did provide inspiration for those fictional works. Truth be told, Vlad's wife was more vampyric. She supposedly would bath in the blood of young maidens in order to maintain her youth. It is elements like that that have been twisted into modern stereotypes.

The woman you are talking about who bathed in blood was Countess Elizabeth Báthory. She was not married to Vlad the Impaler. They were born/died nearly 100 years apart. Elizabeth Bathory was born in 1560 and died in 1614. Vlad the Impaler was born in 1431 and died in either 1476 or 1477. You are correct that they both attributed to the legends of vampires.

 

[Orpheus Rex]

Oy, sorry. I didn't actually research any of that. lol

 

[Wee]

Oh, vampires, lovely little legends. Truth is that there are hundreds, maybe even a few thousand different kinds of vampires according to the world's myths and legends, being an effective vampire slayer would take decades of studying. The now typical western stereotyped vampire is based off a fictional stories that were based off legends and historical figures. Vlad the Impaler certainly did provide inspiration for those fictional works. Truth be told, Vlad's wife was more vampyric. She supposedly would bath in the blood of young maidens in order to maintain her youth. It is elements like that that have been twisted into modern stereotypes. There are a lot of kinds of vampires that don't drink blood.

it's funny how pop culture changes the aspect of vampires. From Stoker's version of a man who was not handsome, not human looking...he was described as more like a devil lurking in the night....to one's that are blood lusting, turning into bats, to ones that can now walk in the sun and sparkle with good looks and charm.

 

[Orpheus Rex]

Don't forget that Stoker's version merely lost his power in the sun, it didn't kill him... Nor would a stake through the heart... and he could control the weather... and turn into a wolf... and climb up walls like spiderman...