What is a Vampire
Modern vampires drink from bottles with the minority still killing and hunting humans, but this is not the traditional vampire of popular myths and lore. When we think of vampires, we think of the undead and of immortal beings.
A vampire, by definition, is a reanimated corpse that rises from the grave to suck blood from living people in order to resemble life. This description fits numerous creatures, besides the typical Dracula.
But, you’ll find to each culture, a “vampire” is going to be different. The Greek vampire, the lamiai, is the oldest vampire creature that arose in response to problems surrounding child birth. The lamiai attacked babies and young children, as well as unexplainable deaths of the mother giving birth.
The camazotz is the vampire creature of Central America, which is similar to that of the vampire of Eastern Europe, who was a handsome man who attacked young women.
No matter the culture, vampires take on unique characteristics.
In modern society, vampires have become more peaceful creatures. They attempt to co-exist with and drink synthetic blood or the blood of animals, but nearly never biting humans. Modern vampires, such as Edward Cullen in the “Twilight Saga” or Bill Compton in “True Blood,” try to maintain their human life with human emotions, actions, and lifestyle.
Vampire Subculture
Vampire subculture has become an alternative lifestyle for many. It’s based on the modern perception of vampire fiction.
Essentially, the vampire lifestyle is a subculture stemmed from a Gothic lifestyle and culture, but it incorporates elements of the sadomasochism subculture.
There are different types of vampirism within this subculture.
- Sanguinarian vampirism: practitioners partake in actual blood consumption
- Psychic vampirism: practitioners believe they are drawing spiritual nourishment from energy
- Living vampirism: practitioner have a rigid ethical system and are highly spiritual. They do not drink blood nor do they believe in psychic powers. They often take orders from the Temple of Vampire, Ordo Srigoi Vii, and the Order of the Black Dragon.
- Transcendental vampirism: practitioners believe their soul may travel and fuse with the soul and body of a younger Vampire in attempts to achieving immortality. They may practice sanguinarian and/or psychic vampirism, as well.
- Blood donors: People who willingly allow others to drink their blood. The donors are equal to the the vampires, but are expected to be subservient.
- Blood fetishists: Those who use blood as a fetish to stimulate sadomasochistic intercourse.
- Role-players: People who are more into the fashion aspect of vampirism. They dress up in vampire clothes and live a vampire lifestyle.
Although, vampires have been in history for centuries, they have become a fad with the release of vampire novels and movies, such as “True Blood,” “Twilight Saga,” “The Vampire Chronicles,” etc.
You will find more people reading vampire fiction, watching vampire movies, and even wearing vampire jewelry. Vampires, both classic vampires and modern vampires, have even rose in popularity with Halloween costumes.
Vampire stuff comes in a variety of styles, and whether you’re practicing the vampire subculture way of life, or if you just have in interest in the creatures, you’ll find something to buy.
