Honestly, why do people believe in vampires?

Question

Especially why would they think themselves a vampire?

Is it an attempt for them to feel unique?

And yes, i used to know a few people who said they where vampires in highschool. All grew out of it but one, haven't heard from her in awhile tho, but she swears up and down she is a vampire and needs blood to stay strong :|

Answer 1

find someone who does not want to be a vampire compare to the ones that do.

Answer 2

Vampires have a long and varied history throughout the folklore of just about every culture. Vampire-like spirits called the Lilu are mentioned in early Babylonian demonology, and the bloodsucking Akhkharu are part of Sumerian mythology. In India, old Sandskrit writings recount tales of the Vetalas, ghoul-like beings that inhabit corpses. Egypt had a goddess named Sekhmet who lusted after blood. Even in the Odyssey, Odysseus met undead spirits (shades) who were drawn to a fresh blood sacrifice. However all these lack the familiar Westernized traits of the vampires we know today. Skin was not pale, transformation into a bat was not brought about untill the discovery of vampire bats in South America by Spanish explorers (the bats were named after the legends, not the other way around) there was not necessarily the ritualized bite on the neck, the sensuality and sexuality surrounding current vampire myths was a product of Victorian society reinventing the legend. In anycase, legends of undead blood suckers have been pretty pervasive thoughout mans history.

Many sources have been offered for the orgins of these legends. Some say that it involved corpses and the apparent growth of hair and nails after death (skin actually receeds making it look like things grow), corpses preserved and with color instead of various stages of decomposition, bloated corpses giving the impression of feeding, corpse rising and killing those who gave it an improper burial or death rite (probably contraction of disease for those in close proximity to a decaying corpse). The belief by ancient people that drinking blood was taking a person's life force and made one more powerful (current through several religions today, even Christianity) In anycase there were many belief systems that went in the creation of the vampire in folklore.

As stated before, the current rendition of the vampire is mainly a Victorian era creation with much coming from Bram Stroker in Dracula, Lord Byron in The Gaiour and John Polidori in The Vampyre. The consistency of the folklore and legends was self perpetuating as it gave people an explanation (and validated the legend) for normally unexplainable cases of individuals with severe psychosis or several deaths within a certain timeframe. So much so that the legend began creating vampires rather than the other way around.

That is the why.... now onto the relatively new celebration of the vampire and the vampire cults.

Not surprisingly this is something that is mostly seen during the teen years when individuals are trying to define themselves and want to be differentiated from their parents or families or whatever. The sexuality and sensuality stemming from the Victorian legends has quite a bit to do with it as this is coincidentally the time of life for sexual exploration. This theme is kept running by modern vampire tales (Anne Rice, etc). For the most part this is a phase that is defined by dressing and acting the part. There are those however, for whom it takes on a meaning much deeper than the surface teenage vampire acting out and roleplaying. Some have was used to be termed as Renfield Syndrome where they feel they actually need blood to survive. This is more a mental or spiritual need rather than a physical need as proven by medical tests. People operate off of the belief that the blood gives power (influenced often by religious history) or energy or nourishment, yet it is merely a conditioned belief and not a physiological fact. Even in the case of a person suffering from the rare condition porphyria where the body does not produce enough heme in the blood. Any thought that this condition could create or be relieved by ingesting human blood is a misunderstanding of the disease.

Answer 3

Did you ever go to the cinema as a child and see Superman, did you then come out of the show with your fist in the air imagining you could fly?

How about imagining you were James Bond or Catwoman. Now amplify that fancy by 1,000.

People who think they are vampires, or whatever, are just living a fantasy, fantasy for a lot of people is better than real life.

As to why people believe in vampires, well all myths are based on a little bit of fact - Vlad the Impaler was real and he was a bloodthirsty tyrant, although it is not recorded that he drank blood, but he is said to be the original vampire. How about Robin Hood or King Arthur? Same thing, amazing stories have been created around these characters.

Answer 4

Because they want to feel there is something dangerous, powerful, mysterious and unique out there. Vampires are often portrayed as glamorous and sexy in movies and that view of vampires is very appealing to a lot of people.

As far as why people think themselves to be vampires, well that's a little strange but they probably do it for the same reasons. Maybe they don't really believe it themselves and are playacting to get attention. There are people out there who dress up like medieval folks and have entire gatherings planned around that theme. Or what about the Star Wars trekkies? Some of them are pretty serious about it too. That can either be seen as a great bonding experience for like minded individuals to get together and talk about their common interests - or you can see it as sad and pathetic depending on your viewpoint.

However if the person really honestly believes he or she is a vampire, they are delusional and should seek psychiatric help.

Answer 5

Fear of death mainly. Also because when the body is rotting it bloats and back in the old days they thought that meant the body had been feeding. At the same time they buried people alive back then and so when they found people who had bloodied fingers they thought the corpse had dug it's way out and feeded. That is one reason the put bells on graves with string tied to the finger of the corpse, just in case.
It is also to be unique as well. But people who don't have a horse also wear cowboy gear if the like country music.
Sane vampires don't think they are Dracula, or will live for ever. They just enjoy drinking someones life energy (blood).

Answer 6

I personally do not believe in vampires, or any other spiritual beings, such as ghosts, but I do know several people who swear blind that they have actually seen a ghost. Me being me, I still remain rather sceptical.

What I often find is that lots of people believe in these things, because they want them to be true. In a way, I can see where they are coming from.

As for people believing they are vampires, again, for many people, if you want something so much, and you keep on wishing for something so much, it can seem as if it is actually true.

Answer 7

Most people have not determined what they think about death. Vampires and ghosts are ways of explaining the mysteries.
Maybe wanting to be a vampire has something to do with never dying, being able to fly, being mysterious or being powerful.

Answer 8

People who believe in Vampires grew up in an environment wherein there are individuals who also believe in them...It's like believing in Angels..if u grew up in a Family that believes in Angels..and you sorround urself with books and Movies that say Angels are real...then most likely you will also believe in Angels... influence and environment are two big factors that shape the beliefs of one person.... No one in your family has seen a vampire...right? and angels too?? but most likely you will believe in Angels if your family believes on them...

But for people to think that they are vampires....it's grandstanding... Vampires hide and keep their identity secret ...for individuals who flaunt this are clearly "wanna- be's" and only do these things to attract attention.

Answer 9

people believein vampires for the same reason they believe in aliens, fairies and other mystical creatures, but to be honest I have no idea what that is. And sometimes people think of themselves as vampires because they suffer from an illness which causes them to like the taste of blood, I can't think of what it's called but I remember reading it in a book about vampires

Answer 10

It makes the dollars roll. There are so many idiots out there, that has been created a full industry to milk their money. And it is not only the vampires.... Superheroes, many other cripps that support a big industry. Movies, DVD, artists, modelists, taylors, name it.