Vampires are mythological humanoid creatures said to have a craving for human blood. Vampires extract blood from humans (usually with their protruding fangs) and drink it as a source of metaphysical energy.
Vampires have been depicted in countless folk tales, myths, novels, and films such as
Bram Stoker's Dracula and
Nosferatu.
Some people of the modern age have engaged in the cult-like practice of enacting vampirism rituals and ornamentation (if not the explicit drinking of blood).
Vampirism is not unlike cannibalism in that internal composition of the human body is ingested for energy, though vampires (unlike cannibals) usually only drink human blood and refrain from ingesting human flesh as food.
Vampirism has become a 'cult chic' horror-aesthetic phenomenon and the culture of mysticism-rich places such as
Transylvania, Romania and
New Orleans, Louisiana (USA) invite all kinds of cultish folk storytelling and Halloween-festive vampirism lore.
The allure of the vampire has made the creature the subject of numerous American horror films, and we can evaluate the socio-cultural impact that vampirism and vampire lore has had on the 'underworld mystique.'
In fact, the popular
Underworld cult-horror film series presents various adventures and misdoings of vampires.
The vampire has arguably replaced the
cannibal as the 'taboo symbol' of behavioural self-destruction.
Vampire
