The REAL Monsters of Halloween: Dracula and Vampires
October 31, 2009 / 15603
These enduring characters have a fascinating basis in real life
By Stephen Wagner.
THINK OF HALLOWEEN and your mind conjures images of ghosts, vampires, witches and monsters. Our modern versions of them have largely been crafted by popular literature and, more influentially, the movies. But like many fantastic characters of myth and lore, they have a basis in reality.
Sometimes the true stories of these creatures that haunt our imaginations are just as weird and amazing as their fictional incarnations:
DRACULA / VAMPIRES
Today’s vampire persona - the elegant blood-sucking creature of the night - comes primarily from Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula, published in 1897. Stoker’s story, in turn, was based loosely on the real-life Vlad Dracula (1431-1476), a prince who actually did live in Transylvania in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. The name Dracula is derived from a Romanian word that means “devil” or dragon.” Obviously, Vlad Dracula was not a vampire, but Stoker undoubtedly used the historical figure as the basis of his vampire story because of Vlad’s bloodthirsty style of dealing with those who opposed him. A Brief History About the Dracul states: “Vlad’s brutal manner of terrorizing his enemies and the seemingly arbitrary manner in which he had people punished earned him the nickname ‘Tepes’ or ‘the Impaler,’ the common name by which he is known today. Stories of Vlad’s cruelties were circulating through Europe. His end came at the hand of an assassin at some point toward the end of December 1476 or early January 1477.”
The legend of the vampire predates Bram Stoker and even Vlad the Impaler. Vampires Thru the Ages traces them back to 1047 and a document referring to a Russian Prince as “Upir Lichy” or Wicked Vampire. A century later, Walter Map’s De Nagis Curialium includes accounts of vampire-like beings in England. Waves of vampire hysteria swept through Prussia and Hungary in the 1700s, fueled perhaps by disease, ignorance and maybe a psychotic serial killer or two.
The tradition of the vampire has been firmly established into our modern culture by Hollywood, television and the highly popular novels of Anne Rice and others.
Are there real vampires? No. There are small cults of people who call themselves “vampires,” like to dress in “goth” fashion, avoid the daylight and might even drink human blood. But there’s nothing supernatural about these people - maybe just something a bit… odd.
Halloween Horror Wallpaper - Blood Wallpaper
October 31, 2009 / 605
Halloween Horror Wallpaper - Blood Wallpaper
Stage Halloween Makeup: Stage Blood and Scars
October 25, 2009 / 1379
Stage Halloween Makeup: Stage Blood and Scars: A video that is more of an experiment than a tutorial. Playing with stage blood, liquid latex and putty for my Halloween Costume of Claire from Heroes. Read more …
Vampires! Bats! Fake Blood! Happy Halloween!!!#151
October 30, 2008 / 1279
Frederator Fan Favorite Rob Renzetti returns with an epic Fred-o-ween Mina & the Count short! So funny you just might snort Blood, I mean Milk, outta your noses! Ha! Also, the Fred-bot finally decides on a halloween costume! Let us know what you think. Have a safe and Happy Halloween, from your cartoon pals a Channel Frederator! Read more …
6 Terrifying Tales of Halloween: The Voice in Blood Cemetery
October 30, 2008 / 1539
The Voice in Blood Cemetery
At Halloween, many people test their bravery by venturing into dark cemeteries. Sarah and her husband, who had always been fascinated by the unknown, decided to do just that on the Halloween night of 2002. It was an experience, she says, that changed her life.
“We chose Blood Cemetery in Mukwanago, Wisconsin,” Sarah tells us. “I think it goes by a different name now, but the Blood family was the first African American family in that town, and they are buried in that cemetery near a statue of a book on a pillar.”
Sarah’s husband used to live in that town and often heard tales of supernatural events occurring in the cemetery. This got Sarah’s juices flowing, so armed with a camera, two flashlights and an audio recording device, they headed into the tiny cemetery.
Video : Blood, Vampire/Demon, Halloween Pics, Anime Halloween
October 26, 2008 / 516
I just couldn’t wait for Halloween to come so I made this!! Anyways…..this contains pics that have blood (some have more or less blood than others), vampires and demon, and halloween pictures!! I hope you like it!!! Read more …
I love the smell of BLOOD in the morning … It smells like … Victory. Horror Picture
October 24, 2008 / 594
Some things in life (and unlife) are simply meant to be. Certain elements combine to create a union that is greater than the sum of it’s parts. These are simple truths.
Take the case of todays transmorgueification as an example. I have always held the opinion that the undead are seriously underestimated by our nation’s military as weapons of mass destruction. What better match is there in this chaotic world than vampires and war? Well it seems I am not the only who feels that way. Whilst attending a recent ceremony I managed to capture this image …
Good thing I was ready. Cocky bastard started to go mist just as I spotted him. Read more …
