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''{{dablink|This article deals with vampires in folklore and legends. For treatments of the vampire legend in fiction, see [[vampire fiction]]. For the real bats that subsist on blood, see '''[[vampire bat]]'''. For other uses of the term vampire, see [[Vampire (disambiguation)]].}}''

'''Vampires''' (sometimes '''vampyres''') are Non-discovered[[mythology|mythological]] creatures,or typically[[folklore|folkloric]] creatures heldbelieved to be the re-animated [[corpse]]s of human beings and said towho [[hematophagy|subsist]] on human and/or animal [[blood]]. ([[hematophagy]]). They are the frequent subject of [[film|cinema]] and [[fiction]], albeit fictional vampires have acquired a set of traits distinct from those of folkloric vampires (see [[Vampire fiction#Traits of vampires in fiction|''Traits of vampires in fiction'']]). In folklore, the term usually refers to the blood-sucking [[living]]humans of [[Eastern Europe]]an legends, but it is often extended to cover similar legendary creatures infrom other regions and cultures. VampireThe characteristics of vampires vary widely between these different traditions. Some cultures also have stories of non-human vampires, suchincluding asreal animals likesuch as [[bat]]s, [[dog]]s, and [[spider]]s, and mythical creatures such as the [[chupacabra]].

Vampires are a frequent subject of [[fiction|fictional]] [[book]]s and [[cinema|films]], although fictional vampires are often attributed [[Vampire fiction#Traits of vampires in fiction|traits]] distinct from those of folkloric vampires.

Besides their "blood-drinking" trait, vampires may also reveal a few more. This often includes: the ability to run extremely fast, Inhumanly beautiful, perfect features, eyes that change color with thirst and mood, and super-strength. It is said that some vampires, may have "special powers" such as being physic, mind reading, Changing moods in a room, transfiguration, and even some pure compassion, and 2 hearts

.

'''Vampirism''' is the practice of drinking blood from a person/animal. In folklore and popular culture, the term generally refers to a belief that one can gain [[supernatural]] powers by drinking human blood. The historical practice of vampirism can generally be considered a more specific and less commonly occurring form of [[cannibalism]]. The consumption of another's blood (and/or flesh) has been used as a tactic of [[psychological warfare]] intended to terrorize the enemy, and it can be used to reflect various spiritual beliefs.

The term ''vampire'' canis bealso used to refer to anymythical magicalor creaturefictional of mythcreatures that isact aas predatory [[parasite]]s, draining power, energy, or life from unwilling victims. Mythic creaturesCreatures who act in this manner are often considered part of the vampire [[archetype]], even if they do not feast onconsume blood.

In [[zoology]] and [[botany]], the term ''vampirism'' is used to refer to [[leech]]es, [[mosquito]]s, [[mistletoe]], [[vampire bat]]s, and other [[organism]]s that prey upon the bodily fluids of other creatures. This term also applies to legendary animals of the same nature, including the [[chupacabra]].

'''Vampirism''' is the practice of drinking blood from a person/ or animal. In folklore and popular culture, the term generally refers to a belief that one can gain [[supernatural]] powers by drinking human blood. The historical practice of vampirism can generally be considered a more specific and less commonly occurring form of [[cannibalism]]. The consumption of another's blood (and/or flesh) has been used as a tactic of [[psychological warfare]] intended to terrorize the enemy, and it can be used to reflect various spiritual beliefs.

The term ''vampire'' can be used to refer to any magical creature of myth that is a predatory [[parasite]], draining power, energy or life from unwilling victims. Mythic creatures who act in this manner are often considered part of the vampire [[archetype]], even if they do not feast on blood.

In [[zoology]] and [[botany]], the term ''vampirism'' is used toin referreference to [[leech]]es, [[mosquito]]s, [[mistletoe]], [[vampire bat]]s, and other [[organism]]s that preysubsist uponon the bodily fluids of other creaturesothers. This term also applies to legendary animals of the same nature, including the [[chupacabra]].

==Etymology==

The English word ''vampire'' was borrowed (perhaps via [[French language|French]] ''vampyre'') from [[German language|German]] ''Vampir'', in turn borrowed in early 18th century<ref name=Grimm>{{cite web|url=http://germazope.uni-trier.de/Projects/WBB/woerterbuecher/dwb/wbgui?lemid=GV00025|title = Deutsches Wörterbuch von Jacob Grimm und Wilhelm Grimm. 16 Bde. [in 32 Teilbänden]. Leipzig: S. Hirzel 1854-1960.|accessdate=2006-06-13}} (German) </ref> from [[Serbian language|Serbian]] ''вампир''/''vampir'',<ref name=Grimm>{{cite web|url=www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/vampire |title = Merriam Webster Online Dictionary|accessdate=2006-06-13}} </ref><ref name=Tresor>{{cite web|url=http://atilf.atilf.fr/dendien/scripts/fast.exe?mot=vampire|title = Trésor de la Langue Française informatisé|accessdate=2006-06-13}} (French)</ref><ref>Dauzat, Albert, 1938. Dictionnaire étymologique. Librairie Larousse. (French)</ref><ref>http://thegalleriesatmoore.org/publications/vampirestudy/weiben12.shtml</ref> or, according to some sources, from [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] ''vámpír''.<ref>The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English. 1955</ref><ref name=OED>{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=v|title = Online Etymology Dictionary|accessdate=2006-06-13}}</ref> The Serbian and Hungarian forms have some parallels in some [[Slavic languages]]. The Bosnian Lampir which was the name of the oldest recorded vampire Meho Lampir.{{fact}}: [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] ''вампир'' (''vampir''), ''вапир'' (''vapir'') [[Polish language|Polish]] ''wąpierz'' or ''въпир'' (''vəpir''), [[Czech language|Czech]]. Previous links with the [[Slovak language|Slovak]] ''upír'', and (perhaps [[East Slavic languages|East Slavic]]-influenced) ''upiór'', [[Russian language|Russian]] ''упырь'' (''upyr' ''), [[Belarussian language|Belarussian]] ''упiр'' (''upyr''), [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] ''упирь'' (''upir' ''), from [[Old Russian language|Old Russian]] ''упирь'' (''upir' '') were proven to be unfounded. The etymology remains uncertain.<ref>Tokarev, S.A. et al. 1982. ''Mify narodov mira.'' ("Myths of the peoples of the world". A Russian encyclopedia of mythology) </ref> Among the proposed [[proto-Slavic language|proto-Slavic]] forms are *{{Unicode|ǫpyrь}} and *{{Unicode|ǫpirь}}.<ref name=Vasmer>{{cite web|url=http://vasmer.narod.ru/p752.htm|title = Russian Etymological Dictionary by [[Max Vasmer]] |accessdate=2006-06-13}} (Russian)</ref> The Slavic word might, like its possible Russian cognate ''netopyr''' ("bat"), come from the [[PIE|Proto-Indo-European]] root for "to fly".<ref name=Vasmer>{{cite web|url=http://vasmer.narod.ru/p752.htm|title = Russian Etymological Dictionary by [[Max Vasmer]] |accessdate=2006-06-13}} (Russian)</ref> Earlier theories had it that the Slavic word comes from a [[Turkic languages|Turkic]] word denoting an evil supernatural entity (cf. [[Kazan]] [[Tatar]] ''ubyr'' "witch").<ref>The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English. 1955</ref><ref name=OED>{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=v|title = Online Etymology Dictionary|accessdate=2006-06-13}}</ref> But this theory is controversial.<ref name=Vasmer>{{cite web|url=http://vasmer.narod.ru/p752.htm|title = Russian Etymological Dictionary by [[Max Vasmer]] |accessdate=2006-06-13}} (Russian)</ref>. The first recorded use of the word 'Vampire' was from Austrian-controlled Serbia in reports prepared by Austrian police officials between 1725 and 1732 investigating reports of a citizen arising from the dead to attack villagers.

Contrary to popular notion, a vampire cannot turn into a wolf.

==Vampire analogies in ancient cultures==