A vampire can be a fictional creature, such as Count Dracula.
Vampire is a term that can refer to a mythological creature or a real animal . That is why the concept, which comes from the French vampire , usually generates confusion. It even has a symbolic use that applies to certain individuals.
As a fictional being, a vampire is a nocturnal specter that sucks the blood of living beings as a method of subsistence. Vampires are often associated with the living dead : that is, with people who, after dying, remain active as vampires.
Characteristics of a vampire
Although there are multiple representations, vampires are usually described as beings with sharp fangs , long nails and pale skin. These creatures, according to folklore , do not cast shadows and are not reflected in mirrors.
As a result of all the legends , rumors and fictional stories that have been written about vampires, there are many other ideas about their characteristics, behaviors and peculiarities. Among them the following stand out:
- They rest during the day inside a coffin.
- They are thin.
- They cannot stand garlic, so on more than one occasion those who tried to kill them have been depicted carrying a string of garlic around their neck .
- They hate crosses, so carrying one is a way to get them to flee or not attack. And it is considered that this is because they have a demonic origin. Hence, holy water also causes them great harm and they cannot enter a church .
- The way you can kill a vampire is by sticking a wooden stake through its heart.
- It is considered that someone can become a vampire for different reasons: because they have been bitten by one, because of a curse after having committed a serious crime, because they have had a violent death, because their funeral ritual was not carried out as appropriate or because they were predisposed. since he was born.
The importance of Dracula
One of the most popular vampires is Dracula , a character created by the writer Bram Stoker in 1897 who is inspired by Vlad Tepes , prince of Wallachia from the 15th century . Dracula not only appears in Stoker 's novel , but also stars in numerous films and television series.
Throughout the history of cinema, many films have revolved around vampires. From the adaptation of Stoker 's book , made in 1992 by Francis Ford Coppola , to "Interview with the Vampire" ( 1994 ) through "Nosferatu" ( 1922 ).
Vampires are blood-sucking bats.
Vampires as bats
Vampire is also the name given to bat species that feed through hematophagy : absorbing blood from other animals.
These vampires that live on the American continent can transmit rabies.
A greedy individual
Another meaning of the word, finally, is symbolic and allows us to mention an individual who usually takes advantage of or abuses others out of greed .
For example: "The country is falling victim to financial vampires" , "López is a vampire who squeezes his employees until they quit" , "Be careful with the vampires who will approach you to take the money you just inherited" .