Vampires--Fiction or Not Far from being a modern subject, or just a theme for Halloween outfits, the idea of vampires walking among us actually dates back to the decade of 1720 to 1730, which ended when the Habsburg Dynasty exhumed the bodies of two men suspected of being vampires, and were apparently unable to prove or disprove the accusation.
Further back than the 1700s, in many languages the word vampire meant the same as demon and people had an idea there was some unexplained evil out and about.
Whether such creatures are real or not cannot be scientifically verified because nothing has ever been captured and documented with DNA or other such evidence of their actual existence at least nothing we would accept as proof today.
However, the vampire bat is the only flying mammal that feeds exclusively on blood, therefore, the existence of a higher form of blood-drinking mammal cannot be ruled out either.
Count Dracula First appeared in a novel in Polodori's "The Vampyre", in 1819.
From then on, and especially after the vampire masterpiece Bram Stoker's "Dracula" was published in 1897.
Vampires whether fiction or fact, were here to stay.
Count Dracula was supposedly killed with a wooden stake driven through his heart while he slept, it is said that is the only way to kill a vampire.
However he reappears at least once a year at Halloween in the form of Halloween Outfits, showing up at parties and among the fancy dress at a Halloween Costumes ball.
Costumes for Halloween are not complete without one portraying Dracula with his black cape and fangs.
In the 1920s and 1931, Bella Lugosi captured the audience in films with his dramatic portrayal of vampires that were pure evil.
These characters were not the "romantic" vampires we see in later films and books, and that are the inspiration for the fancy dress costumes for Halloween.
The 21st century Vampire is often a "good guy", reluctant to harm humans, but Lugosi's vampires were scarier night stalkers with no qualms about killing.
Vampire Books and Movies Anne Rice captured the imagination of readers with her books collectively called, "The Vampire Chronicles".
All her books were based on the first one "Interview With The Vampire" published in 1976, and the movie by the same name was made from the book in 1994.
Her vampires were portrayed as both evil and good.
Vampires were locked within our culture by then and readers and movie fans cannot seem to get enough of this popular theme.
Books, TV series and movies were churned out in rapid succession, including "True Blood" from HBO, "The Vampire Diaries", and "Twilight".
One of the latest Vampire movies to be released is "Daybreak".
The vampire is one of the most popular among Halloween costumes and almost every costume store features everything one would need to look like a vampire, including stunningly real-looking fake blood, puncture marks for the neck, and of course, plastic teeth or fangs.
People enjoy dressing like Vampires and getting into the role because vampires are all that we want to be: invincible, scary, dashing, sexy, and of course, eternal.
The sex appeal of the vampire comes from his or her power and often charismatic portrayal in books and on the big and little screens.
Vampires have never been sexier or more attractive, especially those characterized as "good" vampires who only reluctantly kill because they must eat, and then kill only "bad" humans.
Be careful around Halloween, however, because you cannot be sure if the vampire you meet is a person in costume or the real thing.
Further back than the 1700s, in many languages the word vampire meant the same as demon and people had an idea there was some unexplained evil out and about.
Whether such creatures are real or not cannot be scientifically verified because nothing has ever been captured and documented with DNA or other such evidence of their actual existence at least nothing we would accept as proof today.
However, the vampire bat is the only flying mammal that feeds exclusively on blood, therefore, the existence of a higher form of blood-drinking mammal cannot be ruled out either.
Count Dracula First appeared in a novel in Polodori's "The Vampyre", in 1819.
From then on, and especially after the vampire masterpiece Bram Stoker's "Dracula" was published in 1897.
Vampires whether fiction or fact, were here to stay.
Count Dracula was supposedly killed with a wooden stake driven through his heart while he slept, it is said that is the only way to kill a vampire.
However he reappears at least once a year at Halloween in the form of Halloween Outfits, showing up at parties and among the fancy dress at a Halloween Costumes ball.
Costumes for Halloween are not complete without one portraying Dracula with his black cape and fangs.
In the 1920s and 1931, Bella Lugosi captured the audience in films with his dramatic portrayal of vampires that were pure evil.
These characters were not the "romantic" vampires we see in later films and books, and that are the inspiration for the fancy dress costumes for Halloween.
The 21st century Vampire is often a "good guy", reluctant to harm humans, but Lugosi's vampires were scarier night stalkers with no qualms about killing.
Vampire Books and Movies Anne Rice captured the imagination of readers with her books collectively called, "The Vampire Chronicles".
All her books were based on the first one "Interview With The Vampire" published in 1976, and the movie by the same name was made from the book in 1994.
Her vampires were portrayed as both evil and good.
Vampires were locked within our culture by then and readers and movie fans cannot seem to get enough of this popular theme.
Books, TV series and movies were churned out in rapid succession, including "True Blood" from HBO, "The Vampire Diaries", and "Twilight".
One of the latest Vampire movies to be released is "Daybreak".
The vampire is one of the most popular among Halloween costumes and almost every costume store features everything one would need to look like a vampire, including stunningly real-looking fake blood, puncture marks for the neck, and of course, plastic teeth or fangs.
People enjoy dressing like Vampires and getting into the role because vampires are all that we want to be: invincible, scary, dashing, sexy, and of course, eternal.
The sex appeal of the vampire comes from his or her power and often charismatic portrayal in books and on the big and little screens.
Vampires have never been sexier or more attractive, especially those characterized as "good" vampires who only reluctantly kill because they must eat, and then kill only "bad" humans.
Be careful around Halloween, however, because you cannot be sure if the vampire you meet is a person in costume or the real thing.