Vampires and vampire legend play significant roles in the cultures of many areas around the world. These blood-sucking beings are most common in the cultures of Eastern Europe, although similar manifestations are reported in some Asian cultures as well as some ancient cultures.

Vampire legends have a distinct background bridging several cultures and eras, making them some of the most compelling stories ever told. After you read and understand this expose on the legend of the Vampire visit http://www.trueghosttales.com/vampires.php .

The first step in understanding vampire lore is to understand some of the biological reasons that may have led to such beliefs. One of the most plausible explanations for vampire myths is the disease porphyria, which occurred frequently in Transylvania.

Porphyria is a blood-related condition where a vital function of blood cells is lost. This results in rapid tissue damage, giving the victim a ghastly pallor and enlarged teeth due to gum damage. The effects of porphyria are greatly amplified upon exposure to the sun, making sun light a likely threat victims would try to avoid at all costs. It is also believed that certain strains of porphyria are associated with neurological conditions, which would result in insanity. This condition also explains the practice of drinking blood, as these people would likely drink animal blood as a cure for the anemia associated with porphyria. Another explanation for this legend is the disease rabies, as it leads to hypersensitivity, unusual sleep patterns, and intense sexuality. Rabies is also associated with the compulsion to bite others, and a bloody foaming at the mouth. These two diseases could possibly explain the origins of vampire legends, and perhaps also why they are so widespread.

From the beginning of history, vampire-like spirits and beings have been recorded. The Akhkharu were blood-sucking demons, written about back in the time of Sumer. The ancient Chinese wrote about "hopping corpses" which would go around and consume a victim’s life essence (commonly known as chi). Even ancient Egyptian lore had a story where the goddess Sakhmet was consumed with bloodlust. From the earliest of times, vampire like beings have been prominent in folklore from several different cultures.

The most well-known versions of vampire myth are those of the Slavic and Romanian cultures, which, due to their proximity, are surprisingly similar. Both have several reasons that a person may become a vampire, such as unnatural death, birth defects, or conception on certain days. Romanian legend gave rise to the belief that being bitten by a vampire would doom one to become a vampire after death. Both Slavic and Romanian myths hold the belief that, with the advent of a vampire, there would be deaths of livestock and family members of the vampire. The favored way to kill a vampire in these two myths is by driving a stake through the heart, decapitation, and if necessary, dismemberment. Slavic and Romanian vampire myths have given rise to the most popular world-view of vampires.

Vampire legends have played a significant role in the folklore of many regions of the world, since the beginning of history in Sumer, and they will continue to be important through such media as movies, books, and video games well into the future.

Learn about the fascinating world of the paranormal. Visit True Ghost Tales and you will be fascinated by the true ghost stories, vampires, werewolves, poltergeists, and much more http://www.trueghosttales.com If you enjoy cool illusions and magic tricks visit MagicTrance.Net

Source: Written by David Slone

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Posted by Vladimir Sat, 06/09/2007 - 08:39

 

Forever

Lay my hands on heaven the sun the moon and the stars.
As your blackhole eyes pull me closer until I press my lips against god.

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Also Untitled

Forbidden love
Ever hungering
Constantly yearning
Like an empty spot
In my soul
Your beautiful face
Haunting my sleep
Making me wish
That I could keep
You safe from harm
In my faithful arms

Louis Giuseppi
October 19, 2001

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Being

The Darkness is your gravest fears,
and your gravest foes,
and your dimmest thoughts;
This Darkness, that Darkness,
its all the same Darkness
which chases so many
including myself.

This Darkness in my heart,
that Darkness about my soul,
thhe Darkness behind my eyes
dictating my every thought.

The Darkness surrounds and
engulfs my very being and
existance.

Prince Angel
September 21, 2001

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Chapter 06: The Long Road

removed as per the request of the author

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Have stake, will travel

You might be wondering, what's a guy called "Herman" doing in a place like this? It's simple, really: I'm a vampire hunter.

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