what's the reason behind silver hurting vampires?

Question

why silver and not some other precious metal like gold?

Answer 1

The legend that Vampires could not cross silver is very similar to that of the witch not being able to cross silver. The origin of this being, in this time in history, silver was a very precious metal; almost as precious as gold. The poor and middle class normally did not own silver jewelry. However, in poorer parishes some of the priests did have silver crosses. Silver reflects light, God is light, light destroys dark, Vampires are believed to be dark ... hence a Vampire could be destroyed by silver.
What does this have to do with a witch?

Witches were believed to be servants of Satan, brides of Satan, corrupted by Satan and evil. Pretty much the same as a Vampire. Witches were not classified as demons but they were able to summon them. Witches were the ultimate evil and witches were also destroyed by light and other methods of purification, hence witches could not cross silver. It was also believed that witches worked with sulphur. Sulphur is an element of Hell. Hell was supposed to be the place of fire and brimstone. Brimstone was, at this time, another meaning for sulphur. Witches worked with sulphur and some witches were believed to have jewelry or implements of silver, sulphur corroded silver, or the witches' evil corroded the silver. Hence witches could not wear silver or cross silver, pretty much the same as the Vampire ... who also resided in Hell, amongst the fire and brimstone.

We realize today, that the people the church saw as evil witches were no more than female herbalists, midwives, women who had money or status or other possessions coveted by someone else.

In some countries, it was also believed that not unlike a werewolf, a vampire could be killed with a silver dagger, spear, knife and such. This author finds it difficult to believe that a human could have gotten that close, if mythical vampires were real, to be able to stab one in the heart with a small dagger.


Silver: When most people think of silver weapons killing monsters they think of silver bullets and werewolves, however, silver stakes, spears and daggers have also been known to slow down and kill vampires. Silver is considered to be a metal of purity and has been used for protection against evil in almost every world culture throughout history. Silver can be melted down to form amulets, jewelry, bullets, daggers and religious symbols such as crucifixes. Silver amulets and daggers can be put into the ground above the grave to prevent evil spirits from escaping. Silver nails drove into coffin lids are said to help prevent evil spirits from rising from the grave.

Hi Ho Silver! The purity of silver is considered toxic to vampires; at least, to some of them. Damage caused by silver weapons cause wounds that do not heal, and piercing their hearts with a silver weapon would kill a vampire instantly. Some of them, anyway.

Answer 2

Does Silver Kill Vampires

Answer 3

Try watching 'Underworld' again, buddy. Silver does nothing for Vampires. (if the Hollywood version existed, anyway!) Rest assured though, shoot or stab a modern day Vampire with a silver bullet or knife and they'll bleed to death like all the other other mortals.

Answer 4

I think that silver bullets kill werewolves. Vampires hate garlic, can't see their own reflection in a mirror, and a stake through the heart is fatal. But who knows, maybe the vampires have changed since I was a slayer.

Answer 5

Its Silver Bullets that kill the Werewolves. Vampires is Holy Water, a wooden stake in the heart, and its been know that a Werewolf can kill one. Vampires and Werewolves are natural enemies.

Answer 6

Silver dose not hurt a Vampire unless you have a sliver knife and you are cutting his head off. Wood is what you need, Werewolves can be killed by silver. I do not know why?

Answer 7

Silver is for Werewolves. Vampires can be staked with a tent pole. Go get um snapperhead!

Answer 8

Why does garlic hurt Vampires, Why is the sky blue. It just is what it is, we will never know the answer to certain, age old questions. Maybe there are certain things we are better off, not knowing.

Answer 9

Silver has historically been believed to have certain healing properties and purified certain elements.

Answer 10

There is nothing like that that can kill us. We are, in essence, not really of existence, so It'd be pretty hard to destroy something that can choose whether or not to be palpable.

P.S. >>> Doesn't work on werewolves, either.