Ah, therein lies the rub. Vampire myths and legends pervade every culture on Earth, throughout recorded history. This is an indication that the stories have existed long before history was recorded. The only other all pervasive myth is the lyncathrope (werewolves), and the two mythologies tend to interweave.

It is generally accepted that vampires are not real creatures and never have been. There are several theories regarding the origin of the stories. Some theorize that those suspected of vampirism were victims of syphilis. In later stages of this disease, the gums swell and the canines become more prominent. Syphilis sufferers can have yellowish (sallow) or pale skin, and in the final stages lose connection with their sanity, some even becoming psychotic and quite violent. It is not uncommon for a sensitivity to light to develop or for the sufferer to become photo-phobic. All of these symptoms seem to fit with the specific characteristics of vampirism.

Much of the lore we have in modern times comes from Bram Stoker's Dracula. While Stoker loosely based his Dracula character on Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler) and his particularly bloody history with the Ottoman invaders. He was also inspired largely by Emily Gerard and Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu, and also by historical events that occured in the English town of Whitby.

There are many similarities in the vampire myths that are found in different cultures.

Ancient Mesopotamians have the legend of Lilith or Lilitu (alleged to have been the first wife of Adam in Hebrew tradition). Many authors have borrowed from the legends of Lilith to establish her as the source of all vampires. Still others have pointed at Cain, Adam's son and the murderer of Abel. Seth, the cursed son of Noah has been identified as the vampire progenitor, as well as Judas Iscariot, they betrayer of Christ.

The ancient Greeks have two sources of vampiric legend: Empusa and Lamia.

The daughter of Hecate and Mormo, Empusa transformed herself into a woman so she could seduce men and drink their blood while they were sleeping. This is a contemporary legend of the Succubus (the Incubus being a male version), and Lilith is alleged to have been one of the four succubi (Lilith, Agrat Bat Mahlat, Naamah, and Eisheth Zenunim) who mated with the angel Samael (the angel of death in Jewish Talmudic tradition).

Lamia is alleged to have bore children from an affair with Zeus. Upon learning of Zeus' betrayal, Hera killed all of Lamia's children, and Lamia swore vengeance through the consumption (eating) of infants.

Indian folklore also has two sources of vampiric legend: vetalas who sleep hanging upside down in cemetaries and crematoriums, and Pishacha who are the ghosts of the deceased insane who inhabit corpses and have the power of invisibility, prefer darkness, and can take any form they choose.

Many regions of Africa have vampiric legends:

The Betsileo of Madagascar have the living ramanga who drinks blood. The Sasabonsam comes from the Ashanti of Ghana and tribes in Côte d'Ivoire and Togo; it has iron hooks for feet by which it hangs in and attacks from trees, and iron teeth. The Adze of the Ewe tribe hunts as a firefly draining the boold of its victims, but tranforms into a human form when caught. The Adze also seems to breed jealousy. The impundlu of southern Africa appears a human-sized black and white bird that is the familiar of witches and witch doctors, but takes the form of a human male to attack and feed on the blood of women.

The following is a partial list of other vampire legends and the region of origin:

Abchanchu - Bolivia
Abere - Melanesia
Acheri - Africa
Agogwe - Tanzania
Agta - Philippines
Akhkaru - Assyria
Algul - Iran
Alqul - Saudi Arabia
Aluka - Syria and Israel
Andilaveris - Kithos Island, Greece
Angiak - Alaska
Animalite - Spain
Aniukha - Siberia, Russia
Asanbosam - Africa
Asema - South America
Asiman - West Africa
Aswang - Philippines
Ataru - West Africa
Atraiomen - Caribbean Islands
Aufhocker - Germany
Azeman - Surinam
Bajang - Malaysia
Baka - HooDoo Tradition
Bantu (Bantu Dugong, Bantu Parl, Bantu Saburo) - India
Baobhan Sith - Scotland's Highlands
Bas - Malaysia
Bebarlang - Philippines
Bela Kiss - Czinkota, Budapest, Hungary
Bhauangkara - Tibet
Bhūta - India
Bibi - the Balkans
Blautsauger - Germany
Brahmaparush - India
Bruja - Spain and Central America
Bruxa/Bruxo - Portugal
Callicantzaro - Greece
Camazotz - Maya Mythology
Canchus - Peru
Catacano - Crete
Cihuateteo - Aztec Mythology
Chedipe - India
Chordewa - Bengal
Chupacabra - Puerto Rico, Chile, Mexico, The United States of America
Churel - India
Cihuacoatl - Aztec
Cihuateteo - Mexico
Dachnavar - Armenia
Dala-Kumara Yaka - Sri Lanka
Danag - Philippines
Dearg-due - Ireland
Dhampire - Slovakia
Dila - Philippines
Doppelsauger - Germany
Draugr - Norse
Edimmu - Sumer
Empusia - Ancient Greece
Eretik - Russia
Eretica - Russia
Estrie - Jewish Tradition
Fealaar - Scottland
Fifollet - United States
Gayal - India
Ghul - Arabia الغول , Japan, the Philippines
Glastig - Scotland
Hannya - Japan
Haubui - Norwegian
Hisi-Hsua-Kuei - China
Hupia - Taíno
Inovercy - Russia
Jaracaca - Brazil
Jenglot - Indonesian and Malaysian
Jiang Shi 僵屍 or 殭屍 - China
Jigarkhwar - India
K'uei - China
Kalu-Kumara Yaka - Sri Lanka
Kappa 河童 - Japan
Kasha - Japan
Kataknana - Crete
Kephn - Burma
Kozlak - Dalamatia
Krvopijac - Bulgarian
Kudlak - Czechoslovakia
Kuzlak - Dalmatia
Kukudhi - Albania
Kyuuketsuki 吸血鬼 - Japan
La Llorona - Central America and the United States
Lamia - Libya
Lampire - Bosnia
Langsuir - Malaysia
Lapps - Lapland
Leanashe - Ireland
Lemures - Ancient Rome
Leanhaum-shee - Ireland
Liebava - Moravia
Lidérc - Hungary
Lobishomen - Brazil and Portugal
Loogaroo - Caribbean Islands
Lugat - Albania
Manananggal - Philippines
Mandurugo - Philippines
Mara - Slavonic
Masan - India
Mati-Anak - Malaysia
Melusine - France
Mercure Galant - France 1693
Mmbyu - India
Muroni - Romania
Nachtzehrer - Germany
Nelapsi - Slovakia
Nora - Hungary
Nosferatu - Romania
Obayifo - West Africa
Obur - Bulgarian
Ohyn - Poland
Ol' Higue - Jamaica
Opyrb - Slavic
Pacu Pati - India
Pelesit - Malaysia
Penanggalan - Malaysia
Peuchen - Chile
Pichal Peri - India
Pishtaco - South America, Peru
Rakasahas - India
Riri Yaka - Sri Lanka
Sava Savanović - Serbia
Shtriga - Albania
Soucouyant - Trinidad
Strega - Italy
Strigoi - Romania
Strix/Striga - Ancient Rome
Strzyga - Slavic
Suangi - New Guinea
Sukuyan - Caribbean
Sybaris - Greece
Talamaur - Australia
Thayé - Burma
Tlahuelpuchi - Mexico
Ubour - Bulgaria
Upier - Polish
Upir - Ukraine
Upyr - Russian
Uruku - Mesopotamia
Ustrel - Bulgaria
Utukku - Sumer
Vapir - Bulgarian
Vârcolac - Romania
Varkolak - Bulgaria
Vendalla - Ethiopia
Vhlk'h dlaka - Greece
Vjesci - Germany
Vampir - Slovenia
Vourdalak - Russia
Vrykolakas βρυκόλακας - Greece
Vrykolatios - Santorini
Wak Wak - Philippines
Wurdulac - Russian
Yama - Tebet, Nepal and Mongolia
Yara-ma-yha-who - Australia
Yaka - Sri Lanka
Yaksha - Sri Lanka, India
Zorfabio - New Zealand
Zaolas - Brazil

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