Vampir, Strigoi, and Vrykolakas, Oh My!

So much is claimed to be known about vampires. Most everyone in the world has heard of them or a version of them in their local folklore. In fact, in most European folklore, a vampire is defined as a corpse with the ability to leave its grave under the shield of night so that it can drink blood by using their long, pointed canine teeth to pierce holes in the necks of the living. But we all know that, right? 

Well, did you know that the word vampire originates from the Hungarian word Vampir? Or that there is a word for vampire in almost every language? For example, in Romania they call them the strigoi, while in Greece they call them vrykolakas. How about the fact that vampires are thought to have originated from Egypt? Ancient Egyptians believed in a supernatural entity called the Akhkharu which was a type of ‘Ka’ or soul and was thought to have the ability to live on long after death if the spirit has a place to inhabit, for example, a corpse. In order to combat this, mummification was believed to prevent the Akhkharu from returning to its body. Instead, Ka statues were erected as alternative housing for spirits including the Akhkharu.

Although vampires have always made their presence known throughout history, they hadn’t reached their peak, however, until the 18th century. This period of time was known as the great “Vampire Controversy” where vampire "sightings" were almost a daily occurrence. Mass hysteria erupted throughout Eastern Europe as it was claimed vampires were the cause of the widespread epidemic known as consumption or tuberculosis. Victims of this plague died slow and painful with fevers, dramatic weight loss, and often blood would drip from their mouths giving the illusion of vampiric activity. Paranoid, locals would exhume suspected vampires and dismember their bodies in order to prevent them from awakening and spreading the disease. The practice got so out of control that eventually it was declared illegal to exhume suspected vampires. Pope Benedict the XIV went on to suggest that vampires were nothing to be afraid of as they were “fallacious fictions of human fantasy”.

But are they?

In modern times, people have come forward from all over the world proclaiming themselves as vampires or that they possess vampire-like qualities. According to experts, there are many types of vampires, many of which do not stalk their victims in the shroud of night to suck their blood, but instead, practice their rituals through consent with people they trust. Although many may claim themselves as vampires through a variety of different reasons, there are two major types of vampires; the Sanguinarian or Sang, and the Psychic Vampire or Psy.

A Sanguinarian vampire is best described as someone with a unique craving for human blood. Most Sang only consume a few drops of fresh blood from a trusted donor. It is an intimate practice between two consenting adults, and their goal is to obtain life force energy, something most call “Prana”. It has been reported that consuming blood has given Sangs the feeling of euphoria and has even been known to increase their physical health. However, the dangers of consuming blood are well known throughout the vampire community and many precautions are taken beforehand. It is not recommended for anyone to consume blood without proper guidance and extensive research as serious health risks may occur including, but not limited to, STIs, blood clots, and even blood poisoning. Responsible Sangs, please consult with your doctors. It is always better to have an awkward conversation than to find out vampires really can die!

Another major vampire type is called the Psychic Vampire or the Psy. These vampires obtain their prana by psychically “feeding” on one’s energies. They have been known to possess many psychic capabilities including, fortune telling, mind reading, and even telekinesis. Although most Psys aim for responsible practices, it has been known that they may not always be able to control themselves. Many find that placing themselves in crowded rooms or events satisfy their needs as they may absorb the seemingly endless energies around them. However, some Psys may not be aware of their capabilities and quite often leave their unsuspecting victims feeling drained or exhausted without knowing why. Psys sometimes get a bad reputation for this and might find themselves losing friends or feeling lonely and depressed often. It is important to note that not all people who suffer from mental health issues are Psychic Vampires. If you are struggling with depression or loneliness, please consult with a doctor or a trusted friend. There are also many resources and information on how to cope with mental health issues online.

So, there you have it. The existence of vampires throughout history. With so many accusations of vampire activity even in modern times, it is hard to decipher whether it has any factual ground or is it all just make believe. One thing is for sure however, the myth holds many of the same attributes as the vampire itself: an ancient idea spreading from person to person and feeding on our fears. It is safe to say that vampires are here to stay.