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My goal is to collect all the mythology I can in one place!!
VAMPYRE
An undead that rises from the grave during the night to drink the blood of the living in order to stay "alive". Generally the word "undead" refers to a creature that should be dead but is still active within the realm of the living.
The word "vampire" comes from the Slavic word obyri or obiri, which evolved into the Bulgarian word "vampir". Although sources differ greatly, some say that the Greek word nosophoros (which means "plague-carrier") that evolved into the Old Slavonic word "nosufur-atu" is a synonym for the word "vampire". In our culture, the words "vampire" and "nosferatu" are interchanged often.
Birth of a Legend
The vampire is truly a global creature, with myths related to the dead which rise to drink the blood of the living coming out of cultures all around the world. From Africa to Japan to Spain and the UK, the vampire has held humans enthralled for centuries. Nowhere, however, do we see more vampire folklore than in the stories of the Slavic people. Perhaps the reason for this is the historically high population of gypsies in that area. The migration of the gypsies has been traced back across the continent to northern India, where the religion had a cast of certain bloodthirsty deities (such as Kali) and creatures (such as a bhutu). It has been theorized that with this as a base of folklore, the gypsies picked up bits and pieces of other legends as they migrated toward the north-west and as a result, altered the folklore of the Slavic nations.
According to legend, the victims of a vampire either dies or becomes a vampire. Vampires could also be made in a variety of ways: a child born under certain omens, a cat or other animal jumping over a dead body, someone who committed suicide, and practising witchcraft are some activities thought to be the cause of vampirism. Even inanimate objects and animals were thought to be able to become vampires: pumpkins, watermelons and other fruit that was left out past a certain amount of time, latches that were left unlatched too long, dogs, horses, sheep and snakes are among the objects with vampiric potential in older superstitions of the Slavic gypsy community.
Vampires were thought to be able to take the form of a bat, or many other animals, as well as a mist. They were able to control creatures like rats and wolves, and the elements were at their command. Some kinds of vampires were thought to be endowed with the ability to fly. Most all vampires of legend slept either in coffins, or returned to the earth to sleep in their grave. Among other superstitions, vampires were supposed to need to return to the earth from their homeland each night, could not cross running water, could not see their reflection in a mirror, could not enter a place uninvited, and could not tolerate the symbol of the Christian crucifix.
In order to protect yourself from a vampire, the cross or crucifix was thought to be very powerful in the Christian countries. Little is known of how holy symbols were used as vampire protection before the Christian era, however, folk-cures were often employed. Garlic was the most popular vampire repellent, as well as hawthorn and the mountain ash (rowan). Another defense was scattering seeds - vampires were supposed to become so involved in counting every single seed that they would either lose interest, or be caught counting even as the sun came up. Surprisingly, silver was not as traditional a protective metal as supposed in popular fiction - iron was the material of choice. Iron shavings were placed beneath a child's cradle, a necklace with an iron nail was worn, and other iron objects were placed strategically around the place needing protection.
Once a vampire was discovered, it could be destroyed by cremation, cutting off its head, exposing it to sunlight or by driving a stake through its heart. Other superstitions told that a vampire could be destroyed by touching it with a crucifix, drenching it in holy water and garlic, stealing his left sock, filling it with stones and throwing it in a river, or using a "dhampir", or a vampire's child. Dhampirs were allegedly the only people who were able to see invisible vampires, and they often took advantage of this by hiring out their services as vampire hunters.
In Literature
Vampires were popularized by the Irish author Bram Stoker with his story of Count Dracula, a Transylvanian vampire, in 1897. The story was probably based on Vlad Tepes, a medieval character of exceptional bloodthirst. He supposedly impaled his enemies (hence his nickname Vlad The Impaler) and cut off their heads. He ruled Walachia as Vlad III in the 15th century, which is now part of Romania. He signed his letters with Vlad Dracula, which can be translated as Vlad, son of the dragon. His father was called "Dracul" because he had a dragon depicted on his coat of arms.
Before Stoker, vampire literature was rare, but existent. Perhaps the most popular pre-"Dracula" stories were "Carmilla", by J. Sheridan Le Fanu; "Varney The Vampire", by James Malcolm Rymer; and "The Vampyre; A Tale", by John Polidori.
Modern Vampires
Vampires today, as they are often portrayed in modern day literature, are much different than the vampires of old. They do not necessarily have the same limitations the vampires from legends had. Garlic and crosses offer no protection against them, they are supposed to be able to walk during the day, and sometimes are not considered to be undead, but another species of humans. They usually still have extraordinary powers: their strength and speed surpasses that of humans, and their senses are heightened to a preternatural level. The need for blood, however, has not diminished, in spite of how we have seen in the last twenty years a trend toward a conscientious vampire who is tormented by his/her own humanity.
Credit for many of the modern innovations with the vampire myth must go to Anne Rice, who is the author of the immensely popular "Vampire Chronicles", a five book series concerning a vampire named Lestat. The first book from the series, "Interview with the Vampire" was made into a movie in 1994, and joined the ranks of many other vampire movies made over the decades. Bela Lugosi will always be remembered as the first Count Dracula on the big screen, and he is primarily responsible for the popular wealthy aristocrat appearance, black cape, fangs, widows peak, and Transylvanian accent that is so characteristic of the vampire stereotype.
(Encyclopedia Mythica)
KITSUNE no TSUKI
Bakemono-Kitsune – a name for a sorcerer or evil fox usually as a Reiko, Kiko or Koryo i.e. some sort of non-physical fox
Genko– black fox, usually seen as a good omen
Kiko – spirit fox, see Reiko
Kitsune – fox, a general term for a fox regardless of the circumstance normally used for ‘good’ and ‘evil’ foxes alike
Koryo – haunting fox, see Reiko
Kuko – air fox, very bad kitsune, considered on the same level as Tengu (Japanese goblins)
Nogitsune – wild fox, used at one time to differ between good and bad foxes. At the time they used ‘kitsune’ to mean a good fox/messenger from Inari and nogitsune as all foxes who did mischief and tricked people. Not really considered evil, more like prankish.
Reiko – ghost fox, perhaps not on the ‘evil’ side but definitely a ‘bad’ fox.
Shakko – red fox, could be considered good or evil, the same as Kitsune really
Tenko – celestial fox, kitsune which have reached the age of 1,000 years, they are usually said to have 9 tails (and sometimes are said to have golden fur) but they are either considered very evil such as Tamamo-no-mae or benevolent and wise such as messengers to Inari
Yako/Yakan – fox, see Kitsune
(the kistune page at www.coyotes.org/kitsune/kitsune.html )
Dragon The adult dragon is astute and powerful and sure of his strength. His cunning helps him elude the ingenious traps laid by man with a spirit that could be described as sporting. He is usually avaricious and fairly insolent, which is only to be expected given his power and considerable physical strength. |
Dragons are very fond of jewels and precious stones, and they hoard treasure greedily. Perfect connoisseurs, they are discerning in their appreciation of gems, and it is not easy to deceive them as to a stone's value. They are lovers of conundrums, and often promise to set their victims free on condition that they find the answer to a riddle.
They are usually very proud and have an acute sense of ridicule. Nothing infuriates them more than being made fun of by humans. This is something we have to bear in mind when dealing with a dragon. If we embarrass him, he will retreat to his hideout in shame and will refuse to have anything to do with us. But if we speak to him circumspectly, and show that we are capable of keeping his secrets, we will gain his confidence and achieve great influence over him. |
Dragons live in a complex society that reflects their great intelligence and strong sense of justice. Their social order is determined entirely by age and size, the oldest and wisest among them being of the highest social rank. Such old and venerated dragons are called pendragons, and their opinions carry great authority. Dragons of either sex can be pendragons; there is no sexual discrimination in this matter. |
Periodically, all the adults of each dragon dominion gather at traditional meeting places, usually large craters, to meet and discuss current issues and to revise the Draconian Code. These periodic assemblages, or dragon senates, are times when matters of great concern are dealt with. In recent years, as the dragon population has become extremely low, it has rarely been possible for the dragons to meet formally in such senates. |
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As a result, many of the younger dragons are losing interest in traditional methods of discussing and settling matters of general draconian interest. There has thus been a decreasing respect for the basic principles of dragon culture, and an increasing amount of wanton destruction of property and unprovoked attacks on humans. Naturally, such renegade dragons have been punished appropriately, when possible, by being placed in solitary confinement for two centuries or more on small, remote tropical islands, with no visiting privileges. This is bitter punishment indeed, for dragons are highly intellectual creatures and tend to pine away when separated from all aspects of dragon culture. |
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The various dragon families are organized into hierarchical societies revolving around the figure of a wise and judicious male, the head of the family known as the Dragon Father. All the other dragons pledge obedience to him. It is his task to make peace and adjudicate when there are family quarrels or territorial disputes, which sometimes arise, and to confer a true name on each of his subjects. The true name of a dragon is a synthesis of his personality and his history. It expresses his origin it is important to note that dragon ancestry is transmitted via the father and also by all that the dragon has achieved during his life, his aspirations, his knowledge and his level of mastery of magic. |
The Dragon Father usually confers his name on him at his birth, but it is modified throughout his life. The secret is guarded so jealously that a dragon's real name is known only to the dragon himself and to the Dragon Father. The dragon is very well versed in magic and knows the power associated with names. So important are they that the surest way to defeat and subdue him is to discover his name, which he keeps a closely guarded secret. The dragon also has one or several assumed names by which he is known, but only his secret name gives others power over him. |
The Dragon Father usually exercises his privileges with moderation. His court is made up of an unspecified number of young dragons that act as bodyguards and pages to the King, and young virgin female dragons that have not reached the required maturity to mate. It is the Dragon Father who decides when the females are ready for mating. He is assisted by the elderly female dragons, which are no longer fertile and have withdrawn, tired of wandering the world. These females, who are very well versed in magic, are given the title of Queen and hold full authority in the Regency Council. They select the candidates for the nuptial flight. It is they who choose the successor to the Dragon Father on his death. |
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Because dragons' dens are hidden in remote places, and because these are very dangerous to enter, no one has been able to observe the Western Dragon's family structure. And although books tell us many facts about dragons, they usually refer to male dragons, as though females weren't important. Perhaps the females were forced to remain hidden, busy bearing and rearing babies. |
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As we enter the spacious cave complex, which is the earth dragon's abode, we first come across a crudely excavated entrance cave, with a narrow corridor with very highly polished walls leading to the inner cave. The bedroom, where the treasure, which serves as his bed, is carefully arranged, is usually the central cave. |
This room, considered as the royal apartment, is always kept clean and tidy and is often adorned with beautiful and rare objects, tastefully arranged by the servants. These include luminous mosses and strangely shaped roots and stones, sculptures and artifacts of gold and silver work the spoils from the dragon's looting. Behind this room are the slaves' quarters as well as a cave, which is much smaller than the royal apartment where the dragon's page sleeps. |
The common belief that dragons are dirty and unkempt, and that their homes are full of food leftovers is groundless. Like all animals that live in caves and burrows, they like to keep their home clean and tidy. It is the slaves' job to carry out these domestic duties. The earth dragon's slaves are gnomes, elves and other woodland creatures, and above all human beings. The dragon himself captures some, and others are acquired through exchanges with other dragons. The servants' duties include cleaning and arranging the home, as well as brushing and cleaning their master's scales and keeping him company. They do not lead a wretched life, as might be expected, for their masters are not generally cruel to them, but treat them with kindness and generosity. The notion that dragons eat their servants when they are old and have outlived their usefulness is completely false. In fact this only happened on two occasions.
In both cases the dragons in question were very old and suffering from 'senile dementia', a brain-wasting disease which affects the members of this dragon family due to the enormous quantity of meat and fat they consume. More usually a friendship develops between the dragon and his slaves, and often the servants accompany their masters to the celebrations held every five years at the court of the Dragon Father. Remember that the dragon does not build up relationships with other members of his species very easily. |
The dragon shows a preference for pretty young slaves with good singing voices, for the dragons' love of music is legendary. A human slave with these attributes can become the dragon's favorite, and he will sleep with his head in her soft lap and adorn her with jewels when he presents her at the court of the Dragon Father, who is very tolerant towards his subjects' whims. |
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Much has been written of dragons that have offered friendship to their servants. There are even instances of a profound and genuine affection seen between a dragon and a human being. Such is the story of Crisofilax, a dragon who signed a pact of friendship with King Egidius, and who lived for years in the capital of the King's tiny state. Similarly, the Cronicas de Los Nuevos Reinos (Chronicles of the New Kingdoms) tell of the case of Jilocasin, a dragon who, on losing his own young, adopted the first-born son of a lady. He brought the boy up and educated him like his own son, born of this same lady, and he succeeded in making both of them armed knights. The wise and judicious Jilocasin died defending his offspring against a female dragon who was jealous of the fame of the two young men, known as the Knights of the Dragon.
Courtesy of www.lair2000.net/Dragon_Lair/
Courtesy of www.hawkwind.demon.co.uk/dragons.htm |
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