Monster and Mythology Monday - Vampires

 

こんにちは! Oi! Hello! I know it's not Monday anymore, but I was very tired on Monday, so I am starting this series now! 😋 For those who don't know, I am a huuuuge fan of everything vampire related. My love for vampirism started when I was small and grew even larger after reading Dracula when I was eighteen. After Dracula I found vampire themed manga, True Blood and even real life Vampirism (yes, it's a thing!) and I started an old blog series called Vampirism Monday, where I'd talk about vampire lore from all over the world, outfits with a vampy theme and more. But I also love many other monsters and, being a Pagan and Heathen, my love for mythology is very strong as well.

I figured October would be the perfect time to start talking about monsters! I hope you enjoy this very vampy post. 😄

Some of my favorite legends... 

From the Ancient Greek Lamia to the Romanian Moroi, there are vampire legends from every region. I really love Jiangshi and really want a ferret named that, since they hop! A Jiangshi is a Chinese hopping vampire (though Jiangshi may also be called a zombie.) They're a stiff corpse and wear official clothing from the Qing Dynasty, while hopping with their arms outstretched. 

Unlike many other vampires, the Jiangshi sucks out the life force also known as qi from their victims. Jiangshi have appeared in various games (including Overwatch, where I first heard about them because of Mei's costume), movies and more.

Mei-Ling Zhou in her Jiangshi costume on Overwatch

Jiangshi Aesthetics Washi Tape from Zetallis on Etsy

Another interesting legend is of the Baobhan sith of Scotland. These fairy women are said to be seductive, blood sucking beauties who instead of sharp, pointy fangs have incredibly sharp nails which they use to cut their victims. They can shapeshift into crows, ravens and wolves and they're said to be dressed in green.

Baobhan Sith Perfume Oil from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab

Than you have the Icelandic Draugr who can be a bit like dragons, preferring to greedily protect their treasures though this is after death, or ghosts. In fact, Draugr does mean ghost, but they have more in common with vampires. Draugr don't drink blood, or qi, but instead kill their victims and turn them into more Draugr. 

I know Draugr mainly from The Elder Scrolls Online and Skyrim! But I love Scandinavian lore, so I knew their original source too. 

Viking Dragur Skull Ring from West Wolf Renaissance on Etsy

The Draugr of Skyrim

Some general and vonderful vampy products...

Handmade Bloody Vampire Teeth Face Mask from Owned by Twins on Etsy

Dracula T-shirt from Litographs

Dracula Gift Box from Witch on Wheels on Etsy

Sterling Silver Bat Earrings from Dainty Shack on Etsy

Blood Drop Necklace from Untamed Rose on Etsy

Vampire Bite Necklace from Crafty Little Gnome on Etsy

Origami Bat Necklace from Lert Vi Zutte on Etsy

Finally... A book I recommend: Dracula! A live action TV show: True Blood! So good! An anime: Chibi Vampire! A song: Vampyre Erotica from Inkubus Sukkubus! An article: Three Real-Life Vampires talk

Tell me about your favorite vampire stuff! A book, show, song, product! Or of course, some of your favorite legends. I want to know!