Vampire Lore
- Stephanie (Cassara)
- Oct 11, 2020
- 19 min read
Updated: Oct 12, 2020
Every culture has a vampire legend, they have existed long before Vlad the Impaler and Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's unknown where the first vampire story started, but one thing is known they exist all over the world. Did vampires exist? Do they exist today? Some would say yes to both of those questions, others would answer no. I'll let you be the judge and we shall begin. (Disclaimer, there are some explicit content that may not be appropriate for small children. 18+ only).
Germany/Austria: Alps, Wood Wives, and Tomtin, Oh My!
In Germany and Austria, they told tales of the Alp along with the Wood Wives and the Tomtin. All of them resided in the forests. The tomtin also spelled tomten, were believed to be "little people" that dressed in red. They were known to attack travelers who strode along forest roads. The creatures are believed to represent old forest or fertility gods long forgotten by German tribes. They bore the names of Nacht Ruprecht and Schwartz Peeter. The tomtin were believed to be their servants, "murdering travelers at their behest. Pulling travelers to the ground, the tomtin beat them with chains or with barbed sticks or poles until they were dead and then commenced to lap at their blood like dogs. They bore back the hearts and livers of those whom they killed as sustenance to their ancient masters amongst the trees" (Curran, 2005). Many of the beings manifested themselves during the winter months. For example, Nacht Ruprecht would approach the windows and peer inside terrifying those within. He was accompanied by his close servant George Olaf, "who was armed with a great whip or flail, and with the tomtin thronging after him, he traveled the snow-covered roads, beating and often killing those whom he met. To those who worshipped him, or kept old faiths alive, he offered rewards" (Curran, 2005).
Since this terrified the church, they decided to alter the supernatural pagan being traveling around giving gifts and rewards to a more Christian being. They chose the name St. Nicholas. However, the tomtin remained attached to the Christian saint. The church also did not remove their brutish ways. In different areas of Germany, St. Nicholas had a different name, "Buller Clause" (Belled Nicholas) "because of the chains and bells that he carried. When he approached a house, the tomtin went ahead to rouse sleeping children, drag them from their beds, and ask them questions on the Christian catechism. If they could not answer or answer incorrectly, the tomtin beat them with sharp sticks, whilst St. Nicholas pelted them with hard coal until they bled and the tomtin licked the blood from their wounds. If they were able to answer correctly, they were (grudgingly) rewarded with an apple or sweetmeat" (Curran, 2005). Later on, the image of the tomtin softened and they became Santa's helpers or Christmas elves instead of the horrid creatures they once were.
Sumeria/Babylonia: The Alu, Ekimmu, and Utukku
This is the vampire from Sumeria and Babylonian belief. Information on this creature: http://mythsandmagicencyclopedia.wikifoundry.com/page/Ekimmu
Philippines: The Aswang, The Vampire Witch, Tik-Tik, and the Mandurago
These come from the Philippines. The vampire witch is not dead, but is a living woman and sometimes a man. They can transform themselves to do evil against their neighbors. The vampire witch also drinks blood and sometimes other vital fluids.
The Tik-Tik is a small owl-like bird that is often around homes at night. Some believe that the Tik-Tik is a companion to the Aswang.
In some islands, the Aswang is not a living person, but instead a corrupted spirit of someone who died violently or during childbirth. "In this case, it is a scaly monster, which resembles a flying dragon with a long proboscis, like an anteater has. It is down this nose that the aswang lowers its tongue, thin and pointed like a needle. Flapping on leathery wings, the aswang alights on the roofs of houses where there are young children or someone who is old and feeble." (Curran, 2005). Another type of aswang detaches its torso and upper parts from the lower to feed. It is believed to be a blood-drinking witch.
Information on the Mandurago: https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Mandurugo
Mexico/Peurto Rico: El Chupacabra
Puerto Rico and Mexico legend. Information on this creature: https://www.britannica.com/topic/chupacabra
Ireland: The Dearg-Dul and Marbh Bheo
The Fir Gorta which translates to the Man of Hunger, in Irish lore was an emaciated being that was between a fairy and a specter. The creature walked the Irish paths with a staff and a small begging cup. The being would visit the backdoors of houses rattling the cup. If the inhabitants of the home ignored him and did not provide a coin or food, sickness and even death awaited them.
The Marbh Bheo is referred to as the night-walking dead by the Irish. The dearg-dul is a blood-drinking fairy or corpse that travels among one road.
Resources:
France/Scotland: Leanan Sidhe, Washerwomen, Le Grand Bissetre, and Glaistig
Leanne Sidhe according to folklore is a fairy mistress or lover who strangles her victims before eating them or drinking their blood. Leanne lures her victims to her mountain caves or bogs.
Washerwomen are believed to be the souls of women who have committed evil while they were alive or who neglected their religious duties. As punishment, they are forced to wait at crossroads for all eternity. Anyone that crosses their path is invited to aid them in folding the shrouds. If the traveler can complete the task successfully, they are allowed to return to their journey. If a mistake is made while trying to fold the long, heavy, and unweilding material, they are strangled by the washerwomen with the shroud.
La Grand Bissetere according to French folklore is believed to hover around roads and pools within forests in rural Provence. The being makes "low moaning sounds, which would sometimes pass for the cry of a screech owl. To meet this entity was considered extremely unlucky because it could draw the life from those whom it encountered and leave them for dead" (Curran, 2005).
The Glaistig in Scotland also emits strange cries that echo across lochs and deep glens cloaked in shadows. The glaistig inhabits old ruins and often takes the form of a beautiful woman. Like their Irish counterpart, uses their gorgeous looks to lure travelers from the path into her clutches. Once they are in the glaistig's grasp she drinks their blood and their energies. The bodies were thrown into the lochs, bogs, and rivers, which were often her home.
Les Dames Blanches, which means white ladies and are referred to as the appearance of the creature. They appear to be half-ghost and half-fairy. The name suggests that there was usually more than one and probably traveled in groups. "They were, for all intents and purposes, a variation of the Midnight Washerwomen, usually congregating around crossroads or cemeteries late at night and when the moon was full" (Curran, 2005). According to the myth, they took the form of beautiful women, their skin was very pale and was always cold to the touch. The women would dance beneath the full moon, inviting travelers to join them. People never refused due to their hypnotic powers. Once in their freezing embrace, the creature drained the victim of their blood. The bodies of the victims were found on the side of the road, where the creature had left them.
Iceland: The Draugr and Haugbui
Draugr means marauders another name was aptreganger which translates to one who walks after death. The draugr could be identified by the color of their skin, they were either a death blue or corpse pale. They also stunk of decay and corruption. However, these weren't the frightening parts of the creature. The draugr had immense strength and was able to increase the size of their bodies at will. In some tales, the walking dead doubled or tripled in size. It was believed that this could be done from gases or drinking fresh blood. "These draugr killed their opponents simply by crushing them, and then they either devoured their flesh or drank the blood of their victims" (Curran, 2005).
Haugbui translates to sleepers in the mounds, were also ferocious but only to those who trespassed where they were buried.
Hebrew: The Dybbuk
The dybbuk was a type of vampiric demon and meant clinging soul. Among the early Semites, it was believed that special people could draw strength and vitality from others magically by being near them or through touch. Aged men or women that were frail or feeble in some cases sought out youngsters to sit or lie with them to draw off their energies.
The dybbuk spirit could enter the bodies of the living and specific changes would occur. The possessed individual became tired, listless, and would begin to fail. Sometimes they would twitch, vomit a whitish foam, and act out of character. King Saul of Israel was believed to be the first to have been possessed by a dybbuk. These entities are believed to spread death and diseases along with epilepsy. The vampiric dybbuk is argued to feed on the strength of its victim causing them to waste away and eventually die.
Wales: The Hag and The Gwrach y Rhibyn
The hag creature, or bean-sidhe, often appears in three different forms. A beautiful woman, a stately matron, or an ancient hag. The ancient hag is the most feared because it represents age and death. Which can signify the death of the observer or a member of their family. "At one time, the bean-sidhe followed many of the great Gaelic families of Ireland, warning of approaching death and destruction of doom.
The Gwrach y Rhibyn according to Welsh folklore is between a fairy, a warning, and a vampire. This being lurked at crossroads, "weaving and bobbing on her ragged shawl as if waiting to attack those who passed by. At other times she was glimpsed beside rivers or by secluded forest pools, engaged in some unseen act. At other times she appears as a ball of light, like a flame of a candle, drifting between houses late in the evening. This is to merge the idea of the vampire/corpse candle" (Curran, 2005).
Canwyll Corph or corpse candle is a phenomenon that resembles a bluish-white light or a flickering flame. Usually, this light is seen around graveyards and places where people have died. Corpse candles were believed to be bringers of doom along with evil and darkness. Corpse candles were also believed to attack individuals while they slept, particularly children whom the Gwrach y Rhibyn was fond of drinking. However, the being would only take small amounts of blood, leaving the victim irritable, pale, and sick. When a baby died people believed it was the work of the Gwrach y Rhibyn.
Brazil: Jaracaca, Lobishomen, Pishtaco
Jaracaca is an odd type of vampire, the being does drink blood however the amount is not that much. However, it drinks continuously from the same host leading to weakness instead of death. This creature also has a thirst for milk, specifically from nursing mothers. To obtain this need "the Jaracaca adopts the form of a great snake that slides through the jungle unobserved, approaching mothers who are breastfeeding their babies. Unbeknownst to the mother, the snake inserts itself between the baby and the breast-nipple and continues to drink the milk" (Curran, 2005).
To keep the child quiet, the snake shoves its tail into the infant's mouth. If the snake likes the taste of the milk, it returns, again and again, denying sustenance to the child, leaving the infant thin and hungry. If the being is confronted, in parts of Brazil it is believed to spit a venom that causes insanity that is incurable. When human milk is unavailable, it will drink the blood from the arms of sleeping men. As it feeds, the creature emits the toxin into the host causing insanity.
The lobishomen is humanoid in appearance, "the vampire is little 2 inches high and resembles a furry, bald-headed monkey with a wizened evil face. The feet of the lobishomen are large and full, almost like plush slippers, which adds to its silence and stealth as it moves about" (Curran, 2005). Similar to the Jaracaca it targets mostly women and only takes a small amount of blood. It also produces a toxin when it feeds, however, it makes women into nymphomaniacs. The creature only attacks at night while the host is asleep or dozing. When they awaken, they are sexual predators. Their sexual desire cannot be quenched for long periods of time, which can cause them to have relations with any man. In many villages, the lobishomen is viewed as a blessing among male inhabitants and is encouraged to visit. There are special incantations that were created to lure the creature. Men do not fear the creature, since they are never attacked. Whereas women of all ages are terrified of the beast.
The pishtaco also attacks at night while its victims are asleep. This vampire though is not only native to Brazil but also Peru. However, this type does not initially drink blood. In Peru and parts of Brazil, this strange being first nourishes itself on the fat and semen of the sleeping host. When it has had its fill of these, it will begin feeding on the blood of the victim. In Peru there is no known description of the pishtaco, however, in Brazil, it may take the form of a bat. "It is interesting to note that in many of the Hollywood films, Dracula--an East European nobleman--can take the guise of a vampire bat. Such creatures do not exist in Eastern Europe, the vampire bat being native to South America, and it is this form that the pishtaco sometimes takes in order to enter houses and attack sleepers" (Curran, 2005). While in this form, the pishtaco attacks the soles of the feet, feeding on various amounts of fat and blood, leaving the host weak and debilitated. The pishtaco will attack both men and women.
Malaysia: Penanggal, Pontipinnak, Langsuir, Bajang, Polong, and Pelesit
Penanggal is a disturbing being that appears as a floating head, which is trailed by entrails and a beating heart behind it. The creature flies through the air in search of victims. Typically the head is of a woman who died during childbirth. In some cases, the head is controlled by a hostile spirit, in other instances, it is controlled by a malignant sorcerer. The being travels at night, the victims are typically children and pregnant women. "It was said that the penanggal operated out of spite and jealousy, but that it might also attack on the instructions of an evil magician" (Curran, 2005).
The penanggal would feed on children in the womb or soon after birth, leaving them as a husk. The creature would let out a screeching sound as it flew through the night announcing its presence. The mouth usually caked with blood, when it had its fill on blood, the being would become whole again until the next night.
The pontipinnak has varying descriptions depending on the part of Malaysia. Some depict the creature as a floating head, similar to the penanggal. While others believe it to be a living being or a corpse. One commonality everyone agrees on is that the being can take the form of a screech owl. While in this form it can emit a cry that can stun or paralyze the victim. The creature is one of the night and can only be found in darkness. Sunlight can immobilize the creature and long exposure can destroy it.
The langsuir feeds on the blood of newborns. The langsuir is described as a "tall, graceful, and beautiful woman, always dressed in green and with jet-black hair, exceptionally long fingernails, and slitted cat-like eyes. She did not walk but simply glided to her victims as though floating above the ground. This is not a flying head, but a complete woman, although in certain villages it is thought that she can detach parts of her body--especially her hands with their long nails, which could injure a victim and draw blood--and use them independently of the main body" (Curran, 2005). The creature is believed to have the ability to take the form of an insect, a cricket, or fly.
The bajang is not a person who became a vampire through death but instead created through magic. To create the bajang the remains of a stillborn baby are needed. The common animal form that the creature would take was a cat. The bajang was typically male and the victims tended to be female, sometimes pregnant. After nightfall, the creature was especially hungry and would start its missions of destruction once the moon was up. The creature would always return to its master after feeding on the blood of its victims. The bajang would rest in a box or chest that the sorcerer had hidden. The creature could also spread disease and sickness in animal form.
Polong is also created by evil magicians. "It is made by capturing blood in a bottle with a long, thin neck, over which spells and incantations are then uttered. The bottle is then stored away to incubate and, after about six or seven days, the polong emerged" (Curran, 2005). Descriptions of the polong vary among Malaysian villages. Some describe the creature as just a red-skinned floating head, with a sharp, hollow tongue which is used to drink the blood and semen of its victims. The most common description, however, is a small female figure, that is only an inch tall. In this form, the being could easily enter a home through a crack and attack the inhabitants. When it had finished feeding, it would return to its bottle.
In some cases, the polong would be accompanied by another vampire, called the pelesit. The pelesit was also created using the tongue from a stillborn baby. The pelesit would enter the house first to prepare the way by spreading, disease, sickness, or insanity. The creature could take the form of a cricket or fly. Some believe that the creature is a cross between a vampire and a demon. The being would take blood from open cuts or wounds, however, this wasn't the main purpose. Spreading unhappiness and misery were its prime focus.
India: Raksha, Churels, Pisacas, Geyal, and Ravana
Raksha is usually a woman who has died and wishes to do harm to anyone who crosses their path. However, the term is a confusing one because the term can refer to malignant Hindu demons along with subgroups. One type is the churel, which is the spirit of a woman who has died during the Devali Festival which is an important celebration of the Hindu calendar. The descriptions of these creatures vary. "In some areas, they are portrayed as beautiful women, their heads covered, carrying a lantern. They prowl graveyards, attempting to lure in passers-by. Localized folklore states that they are beautiful and they are temptresses, which few men can resist" (Curran, 2005).
Pisacas are a dangerous entity often invisible. These creatures stayed around places of worship and tried to disrupt them. They would make horrible noises or shouted during the prayers or other religious observances. When these things did not work, they moved onto causing lethargy which left victims weak and unfocused. In extreme cases, the victim taking part in prayer would die. However, in some folktales saying the word Uncle would drive the pisacas away. Most pisacas are female and in some cases, their screeches interrupted religious teachings governed by holy men to confuse them and tire their listeners.
The geyal or gayal is the most dangerous raksha in India. They tend to be vengeful spirits that are typically female. Geyals attack the living for malicious pleasure and will eat the flesh or drink the blood of their victims. "They were somewhere between ghosts and demons and were originally believed to be spirits of those against whom a great wrong had been committed when they were alive, and who had now turned against all humankind" (Curran, 2005).
Ravana is considered the lord and archrakshasa of the Undead. The being is described as having ten heads, twenty arms, and burning fierce eyes. He is also a skilled shapeshifter and invulnerable. Ravana can also break mountains with his bare hands, create storms at sea with his breath, and reduce men to dust by drawing the soul out of them.
Albania: Sampiro
According to the people of Albania, anyone with Turkish blood will become a vampire and will take the form of the sampiro. There is a lot of mistrust between the Albanians and the Turkish people, which dates back to the Turkish Ottoman Empire. The sampiro is not viewed as a threat, but instead a nuisance. The creature does not drain the blood of its victims, but only small amounts leaving the host weak and sluggish. Descriptions of the sampiro have two constant features, it wears incredibly high heels causing it to sway, the creature also has large eyes that are luminous. As it stalks its victims it makes kissing sounds in anticipation of feeding on the blood.
"There is an added eerie element, as the sampiro is not only abroad during the hours of darkness, but it also seems to prefer fog, and is usually abroad on foggy evenings. Mist and shadow add to the feelings of mystery and terror that surround the creature" (Curran, 2005). There are other ways people can become a sampiro. If an individual had sexual intercourse with an animal, are homosexual, a transvestite, have married a Turkish person, had sex with a Turkish person, or have eaten meat prepared by a Turkish individual, they are at risk of becoming a sampiro. Typically after three or four days of burial, the sampiro will rise from their grave in search of blood. In a sense, the sampiro is to keep people in line.
Romania: Moroii, Moroaica, and Strigoii
Strigoii is believed to occur when the person committed evil acts or while they were alive or horrible sins, such as witchcraft. Since they are denied entrance into heaven, they are cursed to wander the world forever. "Those who secretly practiced the dark arts might be subject to unnatural lusts and desires. These may include a lust for blood-- usually animal blood. These are the moroii, or moroaica, witches, and warlocks of rural Romania who often subsist upon blood. Although they are classified as "living vampires," the term is usually taken to mean a witch or sorcerer of the blackest kind--a person who has deliberately sold his or her soul to the Evil One in return for worldly power and influence" (Curran, 2005).
The moroii and moroaica are easy to spot, the males are incredibly pale and almost completely hairless. Whereas the females are red-faced with full red lips. Both the moroii and moroaica can take animal forms, typically a moth or a bird. There are other ways to become a moroii, one is to miss Mass, stealing, lying, practicing witchcraft, lusting after neighbors' wives and illegitimate children of priests are all susceptible. If pregnant mothers did not practice religious rites or have viewed a vampire can become moroii as well as if a person swallowed a bee or fly. The other way a person can become a moroii is if they eat undercooked meat or drank impure spirits.
Strigoii are far worse and more deadly. These creatures were the walking dead, motivated by evil. Feeling as though humanity abandoned them, they became the enemy of humanity. The origin of the name is from the Roman word striges which translated to mean witch. Strigoii would travel at night in the form of birds spreading disease and sickness throughout the land. To become a strigoii, an animal would have to cross over the unburied body of the deceased or cross the grave before the deceased were read the burial rites, or if an animal walks over the grave. Someone that committed suicide might also become a strigoii.
Blood consumption was not common among strigoii or moroii, they consumed normal food. "However, rather than drinking either blood or vital fluids, they could draw the energies from a person by a kind of osmosis, leaving them weak, sickly, and helpless. Besides attacking people, the strigoii spread disease from house to house, leaving death and desolation in their wakes" (Curran, 2005). The strigoii only fed on people they knew when they did drink blood. When moving about, strigoii walked slowly as though in a trance, always keeping their left eye open, and their right eye closed. The eye was always red and bloodshot. Their hair was often red, while their skin was deathly. The body of a strigoii was bloated, while their hair and nails appeared to continue growing.
South Africa: Tikoloshe and Mantindane
The tikoloshe is from the Xhosa legend. The creature is a cross between a demon and a vampire. There is a connection between the tikoloshe and witches. In many of the tribes' lore, the tikoloshe is a demon that looks like a baboon however, it is shorter, stocky, with a high balding head. The monster comes out during the day and night. "However, it has many powers and as many African devil-creatures, it can change its shape when it suits. It can, for example, appear as an ordinary human being, although it may still bear some monkey-like characteristics" (Curran, 2005).
The being can also take the form of a great black bird with a skull head. In this form, it will fly over villages looking for victims. The tikoloshe is typically male and attacks women, however, they do not feed on blood. Instead, the tikoloshe drains the energy of its host, leaving them weak and fatigued. If the victim is fed on continuously it can result in death.
The mantindane is a form of tikoloshe that resides in Bantu legends. It feasts on the blood of the Bantu cattle. The name translates to a fairy man because of the small stature. The mantindane is the height of a two-year-old child, stocky with ochre-colored fur, long red fur covers its forehead, an orange mustache sits on its face along with fur on the backs of its hands and feet. "It's pointed ears are pressed against its narrow skull, and it sports a penis that looks more like a long tail. Its eyes are narrow, slitted, dark, and wicked" (Curran, 2005). The creature doesn't wear clothes and inhabits caves and burrows.
USA: Vampire Ladies
The Case of Nelly (Nellie) Vaughn: https://the-avocado.org/2019/10/30/the-vampires-of-rhode-island-i-am-waiting-and-watching-for-you-nellie-vaughn-19-west-greenwich-1889/
The Case of Sarah Tillinghast: https://the-avocado.org/2019/10/21/the-vampires-of-rhode-island-half-an-orchard-died-sarah-tillinghast-19-exeter-1799/
The Case of Nancy Young: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/poor-nancy-young-the-suspected-teen-vampire-of-rhode-island
The Case of Juliet Rose: https://the-avocado.org/2019/10/25/the-vampires-of-rhode-island-not-unfamiliar-with-this-plague-ruth-ellen-rose-15-exeter-1874/
The Case of Mercy Brown: https://allthatsinteresting.com/mercy-brown-vampire
Greece: Lamia, Vrykolokas, and Tympaniaosis
The Lamia story is a tragic tale like many Greek legends. Legend states that a Libyan princess whom was seduced by Zeus. Hera was angry by the union and killed all of Lamia's children that Zeus fathered. In her despair she ran to a cave, where Hera transformed the poor girl into a hideous monster. The upper torso resembles a female, while the bottom half is that of a snake.
According to the stories, the "monster's prey was usually sleeping infants whom she stole from cradles and removed to her lair, where she drank their blood" (Curran, 2005). Like other vampire legends, the Lamia can take other forms, such as a beautiful woman to lure men and kill them.
The vrykolokas is referred to a being that returns from the grave to drink blood or cause some type of harm. The way they are created are numerous. Anyone who practiced witchcraft or sorcery, stillborn children, did not receive proper religious burials, ate an animal that was not properly killed, died from a plague or illness, prostitutes, cursed by a priest, excommunicated from the church, if a person had sexual intercourse with an animal, if an animal crossed over their unburied body, leading sinful lives, and anyone conceived on or born on a holy day.
The tympaniaosis is a sluggish vampire, the name translates to "like a drum," swells up like a balloon, possibly from the blood that it has ingested" (Curran, 2005). The creature doesn't venture out often, and only appears during daylight hours.
Do Vampires Exist?
Since vampires exist around the world, did they ever exist? I have heard stories that vampires started with Cain from the Bible story. According to my research, Cain was cursed with vampirism for his crimes. Another story states that Set and Osiris were vampires. Set was cursed by Ra for his crimes against Osiris, where he would not be able to walk in the sunlight.
Even further, there are stories about real vampirism. A lady by the name of Michelle Belanger claims to be a psychic vampire. According to her, she feeds on the energy or auras to fulfill her need. She is not immortal, but instead suffers from a unique deficiency. Others like Sebastian also claim to be vampires, but they feed on blood. There exists a code that vampires must follow for their protection as well as their hosts. Information on all of this is in the resources section. I'm curious to know what your thoughts are on all of this.
Resources:
Amanda (2020). The Black Veil: A Vampire's Code of Conduct
Belanger, M. (2007). Vampires in their own words: An Anthology of Vampire Voices
Curran, B. (2005). A Field Guide to the Creatures that Stalk the Night: Vampires. The Career Press, Inc.
Gibson, L. (2013). The Cain Vampire Origin
Gibson, L. (2014). Vampires in Ancient Egypt
History (2020). Vampire History
Isaac (2016). Cain the first vampire
Klimczak, N. (2016). Deities or Vampires? Hecate and other Blood-Drinking Spirits of Ancient Times
Children of Osiris
Tucker, A. (2012). Meet the Real-Life Vampires of New England and Abroad
Wall, K. (2015). Interview with a real-life vampire: Why drinking blood isn't like in Hollywood
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