So, I decided to delve into the myths and legends of Vampires, with the upcoming release of the new Twilight film, and Halloween right around the corner. I figured these common misconceptions would make a cool blog. So, without further adieu, here is:

The Top Ten Vampire Myths

Most, if not all, vampire myths come to us from the Dark Ages, or around that time period when science was in its beginning point and people looked to religion or their superstitions to explain what they were encountering in the world going on around them. While many vampire myths have their start in the Christian religion, others represent imaginative interpretations of what they believed back then to be actual vampire behavior.

Vampires sleep in coffins



This myth probably arose from when the gravediggers and others at graveyards, observed vampires emerging from coffins, mausoleums, and crypts.

Truth: If a vampire did spend the night in a coffin, it most likely had nothing to do with their specific sleeping preference. In the old days, many victims of what was believed to be "vampire bites", were buried and given their last rites while still in a vampiric coma. The truth is, vampires will sleep wherever they feel safe, even if that means under your bed, or in your closet.

Garlic repels vampires



This myth was probably based on observation.

Fact: Vampires have really sensitive noses and can momentarily be scared or chased off by extremely strong or pungent odors. However, this method of defense when under attack is unreliable and definitely won't work on an experienced vampire.

Crosses repel vampires



This, I'm sure, was a fabrication of the Christian religion.

Fact: Vampires are not followers of Satan, nor are they demonic in any way. So, images of Jesus and synbols of the Christian religion will not harm them. They are humans who were changed, not possessed. Therefor, crosses have no effect on vampires.

Vampires are killed by driving a stake through their heart



Well, I am sure if you drive a stake, wooden or otherwise, through any living creatures heart, they will die. But this myth again originated from the Christian religion.

Fact: Because their blood is circulated by skeletal muscles, and not by the pumping of blood through the heart, it is pretty accurate to conclude that vampires can easily survive injuries to the heart.

Vampires burn or burst into flames upon exposure to sunlight



Now this doesn't say that vampires SPARKLE, just that they burst into flames when stepping into the sun. More than likely based on observations of a vampire's extreme reaction to sunlight in general.

Fact: Sunlight renders vampires, with their hyperdilated irises, blind. Being that they spend most of their time in moderate to total darkness. It also causes neural pathways to fire randomly inside the vampires brain, thus creating an immense epileptic reaction. As dramatic as this reaction may sound to you all, it will not be enough to start a fire, let alone cause someone to spontaneously combust.

Holy water burns the skin and flesh of vampires.



More than likely this derived from the Christian religion.

Fact: Once again, they are not demons.. Nor any form of spawns of Satan. They used to be humans, just like you. Holy water, or any water for that matter, has little to no effect on vampires. Although, it is possible for vampires to drown.

Vampires prey on virginal women



Now this myth is a reflection of stories and fears in the Victorian-era, over the sexual awakening of young women.

Fact: While vampires have a stated preference for the taste of young blood, like teenagers and small children, they are not picky as to which gender provides their sustenance.

Vampires can fly



This is based off of observation of leaping vampires; and the association of vampires with bats.

Fact: While they do possess extraordinary leaping ability, some people have seen them jumping fences at least 20 feet high, vampires cannot fly. Being that it is completely impossible for a person to do so.

Vampires turn into bats.



This ties into the whole flying aspect. Also the "creature of the night" nickname, but can be attributed to the bogus association of vampires with bats.

Fact: Like with the whole werewolf myth, no human can change species. The cellular make up is way too different to justify the transformation from human to animal, especially at the speed in which it is portrayed. So, no, vampires cannot turn into bats.

Vampires are not visible in mirrors.



This one, again, spawned from the Christian religion. It was thought that a vampire, or any creature that did not possess a soul, it would not make a reflection in a mirror.

Fact: Vampires are visible in mirrors, just like any object that has a solid mass. But, interestingly enough, they are sometimes quite uncomfortable with their own reflections. So say goodbye to the handsome narcissistic vampires from any Anne Rice novel.

Well this concludes my blog. Hope you guys enjoyed it