Vampire Supersitions
Vampires have been found in the legends and myths of countries and cultures all over the world. However, most of the myths and legends about vampires seem to come from eastern European countries such as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaira and Slovenia. It is these legends that give us the basis for our modern ideas and supersitions about vampires.
Vampires are undead beings, said to rise from their graves and walk the Earth at night, looking for the blood of the living. However, legend says that vampires must return to their coffins each morning, before the sunrise, to rest in soil from their native land.
According to legend, a person who is a victim of a vampire either dies or becomes a vampire themselves. Many eastern European vampire legends also say that even things like dogs, sheep, rabbits, and vegetables can also become vampires. It was also believed that vampirism could be caused in other ways- if a cat jumped over a dead body, or if a person practiced witchcraft or committed suicide.
It is believed that vampires can change forms to take the shape of a bat, cat, wolf, or even mist. Vampires can also control these animals. In addition to being able to change shapes, legend says that vampires have the ability to fly and move faster than any human. Vampires are also believed to have superhuman hearing and eyesight.
But, despite all of the things that vampires can do, there are some things that they cannot do. Many legends believe that vampries cannot stand the smell of garlic and can't bear to be anywhere near it. Many people would rub their doors and windows with garlic each night to keep themselves safe. Other legends say that vampires cannot cross bodies of running water, like rivers, streams and creeks. Often, graveyards were built across a stream or creek from the rest of the town.
In eastern Europe, it was beleived that if poppy seeds or grains of rice were scattered across the path to the graveyard, the vampire would have to stop and count every single seed or grain of rice. If the vampire could not count all of the seeds before sunup, he would not make it to town because he would have to return to his grave.
Many people believe that vampires also cannot be around religious objects. Crosses and holy water are popularly believed to help keep vampires away. Many people would wear crosses or necklaces made of iron to help keep vampires away.Another legend says that a vampire will have no reflection in a mirror.