History paints the vampire in all sorts of lights, and even those who spend their lives searching for the truth have different opinions. Mythology and folklore in general make no mention of sunlight, or hairy palms. Some vampire myths that have survived today make no mention of blood drinking. But rarely, if ever, was sunlight mentioned as a means to kill the vampire. Some were pale, but more were dark.
Many stories tell of vampires that grew new skin, or grew longer fingernails.
To the peasant of the middle ages, the vampire was a fearful revenant that spread disease and death among small village and large town alike. To the British in the Victorian era, a vampire was a repulsive character to shudder over and from which to take entertainment. To many, the vampire is a sensual, aristocratic image to which they feel strangely compelled. All rights reserved.