J.K. Rowling's Revolution: The Birth of Harry Potter

The Unnerving Myths and Legends of Vampires

January 31, 2023 Djinn

Bram Stoker's Vampires, "The Undead of the Night"

The great Irish author, Bram Stoker's gothic Ebenezerian and dark tale of Dracula, first published in 1897, shocked the world and plant the notion of vampires firmly in the public's conscious. His unearthly and immortal creatures of the night have become synonymous with the word vampires. Stoker developed with the snarling count numerous modern vampire lore. To this day, the novel’s influence lives on in various ways, from popular fiction to films, merchandise, television, and even in fine art.

Traditional Vampires Are Not Soft And Cuddly - They Are Crepuscular, Bloodthirsty Predators

Traditional vampires often have pointed teeth and nails, no visible reflections in mirrors, decaying skin and heightened sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Most of the other vampire qualities in literature come from Stoker's novel. Many other vampire creatures have been added to these descriptions such as pale skin, red eyes or a compulsion to hunt during the night.

But no matter what region of the world a vampire comes from, traditional vampire folklore generally depict them as dangerous and threatening creatures of the night, thirsty for blood and ready to rear their ugly heads as soon as the sun goes down.

Blood-Drinking Vampires Have Transitions Into Today's Culture

Blood-drinking vampires have been around since ancient times and have made their way into modern literature, films and television. From Bram Stoker's characters of romanticized vampires and Anne Ricecentering on the dark creatures as protagonists in her novels, to movies like Twilight, the vampires have remained a popular and enduring part of the imagination.

Why Do We Find Them Fascinating?

No matter how you look at it, these creatures have a special place in our imagination. It might be that we find them exciting or even dangerous. On one hand, they bring to life the myth of transformative power into an "immortal" state of being. Or it could be their seductive qualities that capture our attention.

No matter why we are drawn to them, vampires have become a part of our culture, and continue to shape our beliefs about supernatural forces. And if you're looking for a little mystery and thrill, they provide a perfect story to get lost in.

The Endless Variations Of Vampires Persists

Thanks to the powerful myth of vampires, writers, film makers and story-tellers continue to find new ways of interpreting and reinventing these creatures of the night. Whether you believe in vampires or not, the idea of them will never die. They remain a symbol of mysterious power, and one that captures our imaginations.

Vampires of Folklore: Separating Fact From Fiction

January 31, 2023 Djinn

The Vampire of Folklore

Dating back to the 1700s, vampires have found their way into the hearts of millions of people. Before Bram Stoker popularized the vampire in literature, entire cultures had myths about creatures associated with vampires.

The vampire of folklore is quite different from the modern versions of vampires that we know and love today. In December 2019, National Geographic released an article that discussed “the origins of vampires” and how they have changed over time.

Separating Fact From Fiction

Many of the stories that we hear about vampires today don’t actually have much basis in fact. In reality, the vampire of folklore was seen much more as a “psychic reverse-predator” since they were thought to be capable of draining the life-force of their victims.

The vampire of folklore also tends to have certain “tells” that they are a vampire. This has been found that they unearthly eyes, pale skin, sharp fangs, no reflection in a mirror, and a craving for human blood.

Stories of the Vampire

There are many stories that involve vampires of folklore from many different cultures:

In Europe, vampires were known as striges, while in China they were known as jiāngshī.

In Romania, they were known as strigoi and believed to be created from the bodies of evil people.

In Japan, they were known as VKs and believed to be born into poor families.

Vampires in Modern Culture

Today, vampires have transcended their folklore origins and become part of popular culture. Vampires are seen in movies, books, and in television shows. Count Dracula is one of the most famous literary vampires, and there have been countless movies about him and other vampires since he first appeared in Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula.

Vampires have become a part of our everyday lives, but it is important to remember their roots in folklore and to separate fact from fiction. While the characters may have changed over time, the vampire of folklore still holds a special place in our collective consciousness.

The Scariest Moments of a Zombie Apocalypse

January 31, 2023 Djinn

Horror from the Darkest Depths

The zombie apocalypse has long been a staple of horror, thriller, and science fiction. It's all too terrifying to actually imagine. But what makes this fantasy so scary? We'll walk you through some of what makes the zombie apocalypse the stuff of nightmares.

Tunneling Through the Undead

Perhaps the most intense and frightening aspect of coming face-to-face with the living dead is the reality of having to make your way through them. Imagine the tension of knowing that any misstep could lead to being eaten alive or worse. The absolute darkness of a zombie-filled tunnel, with the sounds of shuffling feet and groaning growing closer and the occasional glimpse of eyes in the shadows could make for a truly nightmarish experience.

Out of the Shadows, They Emerge

When the undead strike, they often appear with overwhelming force. While living humans have to navigate their way through hordes of zombies there often appears to be no escape. The sheer number of marchers in the dead army and the overwhelming presence of their rotting corpses, creates a situation where your only options are to fight or run. One can easily get lost in the sprawl of cold, unrelenting flesh.

The Appalling Decimation of Humanity

It goes without saying that the death toll in a zombie apocalypse would be astronomical. Witnessing the number of survivors dwindle and entire societies destroyed is a reminder of the fragility of humanity and the harsh realities of death. No one wants to be the last remaining survivor of a disaster.

The Unsolved Mystery of Their Origin

In a zombie apocalypse, it can be difficult to make sense of the world. People are faced with the harsh reality of their mortality, while struggling to understand how it all happened. Not knowing the origin or cause of the plague can be emotionally draining. Without a cause, how can you be sure something worse won't happen?

Struggling for Survival in a Post-Apocalyptic World

The world after a zombie apocalypse is one unlike any other. Whatever resources were previously available become much harder to come by as the population dwindles and supplies run out. To survive, people are often forced to scavenge for food, clean-up the debris of destroyed cities, and live in dangerous, refugee camps. This new reality is a painful reminder of life’s fragility and unpredictability.

The Scariest Moments of a Zombie Apocalypse: The Summary

Facing the zombie apocalypse is the stuff of nightmares. You will have to brave zombie filled tunnels, the sheer number of undead marchers, the decimation of humanity, and the unsolved mystery of their origin. But when they pass, you'll have to scavenge for resources and try to make a life in the post-apocalyptic world as the memory of the zombies haunt you.