Vampires



In European folklore, a vampire is a corpse that rises from the grave and sucks blood from the living. According to some accounts, the dead become vampires because demons or evil spirits enter their bodies. Vampires are also said to be dead werewolves, witches, criminals, suicides, and heretics. In some legends, the victims of vampire attacks turn into vampires themselves.

Much vampire folklore originated in Hungary and the Slavic areas of eastern Europe and western Russia. The most famous of all vampires, Dracula, is associated with the Transylvania region of Romania.

heretic person whose beliefs are contrary to church doctrine

The principal characteristic of the vampire is that when buried it does not decay like a normal corpse. Instead, it leaves the grave at night to search for victims. According to tradition, a vampire remains active as long as it can obtain blood. It avoids the sunā€”some sources say that direct sunlight will kill a vampireā€”and often sleeps in its coffin by day. Methods of killing a vampire include driving a wooden stake through its heart, cutting off its head, and burning it. Garlic and Christian crosses are thought to offer some protection from a vampire's attack.

See also Dracula? Monsters ; Werewolves ; Witches and Wizards .

Vampires are bodies that rise from their graves and suck the blood from the living. Dracula, the most famous vampire, appears in this photograph from a movie scene.
Vampires are bodies that rise from their graves and suck the blood from the living. Dracula, the most famous vampire, appears in this photograph from a movie scene.

*See Names and Places at the end of this volume for further information.



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User Contributions:

1
Jasindo
Yes . But one thing alwyas stuck in my mind when we had asked her: She would alwyas ask, Will it be after 7? No one had questioned her .I mean it may have been just another coincidence; maybe her mother was strict with those things? Who knows. But she became a welcome part of our group. She didn't talk much, but that was fine with us, we just liked being around her. She only stayed in town for 2 years, and near the end of the 2nd year me and her shared a special relationship together if you could say so. We began to talk to each other more, and we hanged out more frequently. Then, one night, at the bowling alley, she told me she was moving away. I remember her giving me a kiss right on the cheek, and boy did it feel wonderful. As she had said, the next day, she had left. Just like that. She was a mystery none of us or I could solve. It wasn't until the past few years that I had begun to notice and realize why she was so mysterious, why she was the way she was, I began to pick out details from my past and now that I take a better look, the coincidence is striking. She almost NEVER came to school on completely cloudless days. Her attendance was more frequent during the Fall and Winter months. Her eyes were literally enchanting, they were a very deep blue, and under her eyes were dark circles which made her stand out even more from the class. She only hung out with us on early evenings, for example, from 7-9. Then she hurriedly left. Her manners were VERY decent, she ate very proper and she alwyas said Please and Thanks . Her presence when she entered any room was a mysterious vibe , a creepily dark one, and even I could never tell what she was thinking or feeling. Her emotions were well hidden. Don't get me wrong, maybe these are just surprising coincidences, maybe she grew up in a well-mannered home. Maybe all the animals that alwyas seemed to be drawn to her was also just a coincidence. I'm not going to assume she wasn't human. She did eat lunch, although very little. She laughed and she acted like everyone else. But something about her really struck a nerve. I never really tell much of anyone about her. It was a more personal memory and experience. I believed I had befriended a Vampire. This is pure speculation. I never saw her drink blood, I never saw her burst into flames or fly or whatever these modern vampires do. She dressed rather normally. Her name was a bit strange but it was unique, her name was Nasya. I'm not sure if that's how it was spelled but it went something like that. (Old Man memory). I have tried to locate this woman (or girl), but no records that I could recall came up. It saddens me indeed. Well that was my supposed Vampire Tale.
2
biju joy
Some names of vampire's?
Are the concept of vampire real?
Is their anybody who had seen a vampire?

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