Vampires - could they be real or are they merely myths of old? Come with me as I explore this age old question. One of the most interesting things about vampires is that unlike most "monster" lore, they are deeply rooted in almost every part of the world. The history of the vampire dates as far back as the beginning of time with Lillith. She is believed to be the very first vampire. According to Hebrew Legend, Lillith was Adam's first wife, but she left Adam's side to dwell with the forces of darkness. There are many different variations about Lillith. Some believe she was Eve and transformed into the evil form of Lillith who left the Garden of Eden to feed upon young children. According to Assyrian-Babylonian legend she was a ravenous sexual entrepreneour. Additionally believed to be the first wife of Adam, created as his siamese twin or directly from filth. She demanded equality from Adam and upon trying to force himself on her she uttered a magical phrase using the name of God, rose into the air and flew away. Lillith also appears in Jewish Folklore as a evil demoness who throttles babies in their sleep, seduces men and drinks their blood.

In ancient Persia there was an image was found on a vase that depicts a man's struggle with a huge creature attempting to suck his blood. 6th Century B.C. China depicts myths of revenants or living dead. Legends also exist among those in India, Malaysia, Polynesia, the lands of the Aztecs and Eskimos. Even in Roman and Greek mythology believed in blood thirsty Goddesses who did drink blood, however were not charactarized as "living dead."

in the 11th Century it is documented that many witches and doctors used virgin blood to cure illnesses. Also during this same time there were corpses found in tact that caused a huge vampire scare in Europe. Beliefs started to surface that if someone died and did not receive last rites, or committed suicide, or even those who were excommunicated would return to the world as revenants. In the Renaissance Era belief in vampirism continued only sporadically. In the 14th Century this vampirism beliefs and fears grew in epidemic proportions in central European Regions. The Bubonic Plauge was thought to be caused by Vampires. Fear and panic of the spread of infection led to burials of those who were not truly verified as deceassed. During this time it was noted of the "undead" rising from the grave. A person mistakingly buried alive would scratch and claw their way out of the grave and would be seen bleeding from wounds inflicted from this escape, inturn spiking further fear and labeling them as a "vampire."

By the mid 15th Century, stories of vampirism surfaced again in the trial of Frenchman Gilles de Rais. He was known as a Marshall of France and a former member of Joan of Arc's guard. It is said he killed 200 to 300 children using their blood in his experimental search of the secret of the "Philosophers' Stone". In his novel La Bas, Joris-Karl Huysmans portrayed Giles de Rais as a vampire in the late 19th Century.

Vlad the Impaler, a 15th Century voivode (prince) of Wallachia was also linked to vampirism. He was born Vlad Tepes, son of Vlad Dracul. Little is known about his childhood. It is known that in 1442, Vlad and his younger brother became captives of Murad the second. The years that young Vlad was locked away in the dungeons did much to shape his character. He was whipped by his Turkish captors for being stubborn and rude. In 1447, Vlad's father was assassinated in the marshes near Bălteni. During the same time his older brother Mircea was tortured to death by his political enemies. After this he was released from prison by the Sultan and was appointed ruler of Wallachia. However his reign was short lived. Vlad fled to Moldavia under the protection of his Uncle, Bogdan II. In 1456, he became he becomes prince of his native land. During his reign which ended in 1462 he committed many cruelties. Around 1459, he plotted the revenge of the deaths of his father and brother. He arrested the boyar families and impaled the older ones. The younger family members were sent on a trek to Poenari. It was fifty miles to the destination and those who survived the journey were not allowed to rest until they arrived. Once there they were ordered by Vlad to build him a fortress on the ruins of an outpost along the Arges River. Vlad's punishments were brutal and well known. Some of these punishments included skinning, boiling, decapitation, hanging, burning, roasting, strangling, blinding, hacking, burrying alive, and stabbing. He also enjoyed cutting off limbs, ears, noses, and sexual organs. His favorite form of punishment was impalement on stakes. Even with the verocity of his punishments, it is said he was known to be quite generous in his donations to churches and monestaries. He also tried to reduce the economic role of the nobles and to increase the rights of peasants. In 1476, Vlad the Impaler was killed in a small town near Buchrest while in battle against the Turks. The novel, Dracula, by Bram Stoker although not based on Vlad's historical exploits, made the name well remembered in literature.

Though it did not entirely vanish, vampirism lore did diminsh somewhat between the 15th and 17th Centuries. In 1611, throughout the notoriously superstitious land of Hungary spawned the tales of Countess Elizabeth Barthory who was accused of the kidnapping and killing of young girls and then by accounts bathing and drinking their blood. For her crimes, Barthory was imprisoned in a tower room for the remainder of her life. It is said she was spared execution because she was a royal. All of her accomplices were however executed. This historical event gave rise to vampirism once again and has over the years inspired many writters, even today.

In the 18th Century, the Age of Enlightenment began in an attempt to crush superstition. A Monk known as Don Calmet, published a tract which he claimed ended the controversy over vampires. However, the more the vampire was catagorized and stereotyped, the more superstition grew. By the end of the 18th Century, Romanticism recaptured lost emotions and nostalgia. in this time the gothic novel was reborn.

With the 20th Century came the motion picture. This venue really allowed monstors and their long time lore to grow. In 1922 the first vampire movie called Nosferatu was released. This was a german film directed by F. W. Murnau. His vampire took on the look of previous folklore with a bald head, hairy palms, and bat-like ears. In the years after, the US released a series of movies about Dracula starring actor Bela Lugosi. The trademark of fangs and dark seduction was born. Over the years there have been many movies, television shows, and books about vampires. In their popularity today they are revered as beautiful, seductive beings who live forever.

Many have searched over the years to answer the age old question, "Do Vampires Exhist?". There appear to be many "types" of vampires. Here are some documented reports of actual types of vampires:

• The Psychic Vampire: This type of vampire appear to obtain nourishment by feeding off a victims "life energy" or "chi". This type of vampire would be considered metaphysical. Some Psychic Vampires do not know what they are. They are often repelled by people they come in contact with as most victims can claim to have feelings of severe to mild drain. Those who are fully aware and have honed their gift, are often able to control when and where they obtain their nourishment and have a ability to feed from someone's negative energy. There are also three known sub-types of the Psychic Vampire. Sexual or Pranic Vampires are known to feed off the energy derived from acts sexual in nature. Elemental Vampires feed off the natural energies eminating from the sun, moon, earth, wind, fire, water, etc. Empathic Vampires typically feed off of a victims emotions. The more powerful the emotion, the stronger the sensation of the feed.
• Spirit Influential Vampires: This is a very difficult type of vampire to study because cases vary so widely. Some are rooted in demonology, while others report receiving vampiric like gifts through "spirit" or "demonic" posessision. Others report being visited in their dreams by ghostly apparition.
• Viral Vampires: These vampires were brought into the "change" by way of the vampire virus being absorbed through either the exchange of blood or sexual secretions. There are occasional accounts of the transfer being made by the exchange of saliva. Transmission is often through ritual form and is deliberate. By accounts, the "fledgeling" after taking in the virus experiences a painful near death experience. Effects of the change can include light sensitivity, increased night vision, anemia, dual-personality, rare meat cravings, and development of blood fetishes. Most of these types of vampires notice a slowing of the aging process. Often their is a willing donor who is somewhat partnered with the vampire to give them blood. Some also utilize blood banks and animals.
• Birth Vampires: This type of vampirism while genetic is also a recessive trait. Most Birth Vampires can trace their lineage through ancestor, although most often not in a direct line. Most of this type of vampire believe themselves to somewhat "royal" and are often intollerant of other types of vampires. Most of the time this vampire is unaware of what they are. Once traits start displaying themselves at pueberty, some don't know how to deal with it. Some do have family with the trait and are eased into the transition.
• Immortal Vampires: This is by far the most elusive type of vampire. There are many rumors to their existance, however there are no documented reports. In movies they are portrayed to have the ability to live forever, it is said that these types of vampires can also shapeshift, only go out at night, do not cast a reflection, and are "undead". In many unconfirmed rumors however, they are not "undead" but they are no longer human either. It is said that they do go through an excrutiating change as they are drain of almost all their blood to the brink of death, then they are replinished by drinking from their creator. To survive once the "change" is complete they must have blood. They can no longer consume regular food. They can take in fluids, and most are said to enjoy wine. Their skin is somewhat paler than normal humans, however they do not sparkle in sunlight. Their eyes tend to change color with mood and need for feeding. Unlike in the movies, they do not need to kill to survive. Most often when they feed off a human, the human is unaware of what is taking place and they are left unharmed. They do not shy away from crosses or holy water and most are not evil in any way. Most are often very religious. While they do not age, they do posess abilities such as enhanced visions, strenght, and quick reflexes.
• Sanguinary Vampires: These are humans, who like Psychic Vampires feed on the "life energy" or "chi", however they are differnt in that they can only obtain this energy via the consumption of blood. This is a physical condition that is being given limited attention in the scientific community. While the term "sanguinary" does in fact mean blood thirsty, this type of vampire is not what is portrayed under that term in movies. They are normal everyday people who hold normal occupations, however they have a need for blood in order to survive.

Whether or not you believe they exist, Vampires and all the lore surrounding them has a hold on people world wide. I encourage you to continue to read, and search as though you should choose. I myself am a believer and have been since I was a young child.