Vampire - Myth Legend Reality
67
Vampires and vampire legend play significant roles in the cultures of many areas around the world. These blood-sucking beings are most common in the cultures of Eastern Europe, although similar manifestations are reported in some Asian cultures as well as some ancient cultures. Vampire legends have a distinct background bridging several cultures and eras, making them some of the most compelling stories ever told.
After you read and understand this expose' on the legend of the Vampire visit http://www.trueghosttales.com/vampires.php .
The first step in understanding vampire lore is to understand some of the biological reasons that may have led to such beliefs. One of the most plausible explanations for vampire myths is the disease porphyria, which occurred frequently in Transylvania. Porphyria is a blood-related condition where a vital function of blood cells is lost. This results in rapid tissue damage, giving the victim a ghastly pallor and enlarged teeth due to gum damage. The effects of porphyria are greatly amplified upon exposure to the sun, making sun light a likely threat victims would try to avoid at all costs. It is also believed that certain strains of porphyria are associated with neurological conditions, which would result in insanity. This condition also explains the practice of drinking blood, as these people would likely drink animal blood as a cure for the anemia associated with porphyria. Another explanation for this legend is the disease rabies, as it leads to hypersensitivity, unusual sleep patterns, and intense sexuality. Rabies is also associated with the compulsion to bite others, and a bloody foaming at the mouth. These two diseases could possibly explain the origins of vampire legends, and perhaps also why they are so widespread.
From the beginning of history, vampire-like spirits and beings have been recorded. The Akhkharu were blood-sucking demons, written about back in the time of Sumer. The ancient Chinese wrote about "hopping corpses" which would go around and consume a victim's life essence (commonly known as chi). Even ancient Egyptian lore had a story where the goddess Sakhmet was consumed with bloodlust. From the earliest of times, vampire like beings have been prominent in folklore from several different cultures.
The most well-known versions of vampire myth are those of the Slavic and Romanian cultures, which, due to their proximity, are surprisingly similar. Both have several reasons that a person may become a vampire, such as unnatural death, birth defects, or conception on certain days. Romanian legend gave rise to the belief that being bitten by a vampire would doom one to become a vampire after death. Both Slavic and Romanian myths hold the belief that, with the advent of a vampire, there would be deaths of livestock and family members of the vampire. The favored way to kill a vampire in these two myths is by driving a stake through the heart, decapitation, and if necessary, dismemberment. Slavic and Romanian vampire myths have given rise to the most popular world-view of vampires.
Vampire legends have played a significant role in the folklore of many regions of the world, since the beginning of history in Sumer, and they will continue to be important through such media as movies, books, and video games well into the future.
Learn about the fascinating world of the paranormal. Visit True Ghost Tales and you will be fascinated by the true ghost stories, vampires, werewolves, poltergeists, and much more http://www.trueghosttales.com
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
In the article is says that poryphyria is "One of the most plausible explanations for vampire myths" it doesnt say that it is the explanation or that it is the only one. However I do agree with you 100% that the "causes are more varied and complex and not entirely understood."
i belive vampires are insane humans. i belive we can only be vampiric if we want to. my comments make no sense that is ok, i think were all insane.
i love vampires so i dont care about that stuff.if u hate them then ... .
I believe that I guess. I want to become a vampire but im still not qite sure. I dont know how you are supposed to find a vampire???
i also love n believe in them..would be so wicked if they'd show themselfs...
i have read books by stephenie meyer and others and they are really cool i would like them to be right but its just wishful thinking i suppose
Damn you people are stupid.
Vampires are not the amazing creatures Hollywood has created them to be. They don't all look like Edward Cullen or Lestat. Actually none of them do. They're just demonic beings who take a dead human's body to terrorize and suck the blood from people.
No no I disagree with you all none of us are "beutiful" or "demonic" looking we all look normal. I dont need blood I can live off human foods and I dont like it that you people believe that we can do certian things that we cant such as turn to bats lol or jump 40 feet in the air or anything like that yes we are stronger, faster, and we have a hightened sence than humans. we are not evil creatures of the night that just go and kill people because were board or anything and no we dont die from sunlight or anything you have listed we die from natural causes. You should meet a vampire before saying things about one.
guys dead man is life
vampires are so real i would know i myself am one and i know a whole bunch more they walk around the streets and do all the things humans do but at night all tha changes vampires like to go to bars on the outside of cities and thats when they attract someone and people end up dissapearing THEY ARE REAL:)
WOW i lov vamps but i dont know if i can belive dis CRAP
i just want to believe that vampires are real.i know that i believe that there has to be one out there, i mean no one can be that creative to make up a name of vampire which means "Beautiful". i will someday find a vampire and prove it is real
I think Vampires are real
wow ...
sorry to burst your bubbles people.. but vampires dont exist. You are not a vampire if you have porphyria or rabies.. that just means you have a disease. You are not a vampire if you drink blood... that just means you're a sick F*ck.
Just because you dont beleave dont knock us because we do ! do you feel your being watched over or drained when you talk about them ? i hope one finds me and makes me one and prove all you none beleavers your wronge we will one day all unite and you will wish you did to so get over your self ( i love you vamps)
Those people who believe that vampires are real and that they are one, or want to become one, GET A LIFE.
If for some STRANGE reason you really are one OR you eventually find a vampire and become one, i dont think they DONT exist but please show the world who you are, go kill some people, or save some lives using your super strength. Show the world that vampires do exist!!!
its been so many years and no one in the world has heard of a vampire attack so, if they do exist, show yourselves. If you guys dont, then dont blame the world for not believing in you, and being all lonely and shit. Well, you guys would like that anyway if you were real.
i think that the odds of a vamipre being real is not very high. but if they r out there they arnt justgoing to show themselves. then theyd be hunted and studied. if they r real they need the secrecy to survive. which means ull probably never find one. but that still doesnt mean that i dont wish one would find me. i do and am slightly hopeful but doubtful tha it will ever happen
pie is cool
Vampir myths and legend have been altered to suit current ages. even with what you believe, i still belive that they are out there. And if it was possible i would wish to be one. not for the immortailty,but to see in a new light
When someone refurse to a myth or legend, they believe it was something that is created, something that people can blame things on. But when such legend are created, they are based on somthing solid. for instance, when thinking about dragons, and how countries all around the world, spoke of a flying, creature that breathed fire, you begin to question, is this realy? the reason to the question is because, even though they spoke the same thing, they never spoke to one another. so answere me this question, if there are so many myths around vampires, how come they seem to revolve around the same bases... i do believe in vampires, and i do believ that it would be a great experience to have.
am ONE i am real do not say i am n because am real i will huntyou down and bite you
am ONE i am real do not say i am n because am real i will huntyou down and bite you
Robin Layne says:
17 months ago
I beg to differ with you about porphyria. From what I've read, it's not really related to the legend of vampirism; that is a rather modern myth. This disease certainly isn't the cause of the traditional belief in blood-sucking animated corpses. The causes are more varied and complex and not entirely understood.