The werewolf and vampire are similar in many ways. They both hunt human prey, which might make them natural rivals. However, the werewolf and vampire myths spring from very different origins.
Origin of the Werewolf
The werewolf appears as an ancient figure in folklore throughout the world. In Greek mythology, Lycaon displeased the deity Zeus, who turned him into a wolf. This is where the term lycanthropy originated, and is one of the oldest tales of a man turning into a wolf.
In Europe and the Late Middle Ages, belief in werewolves spread. Werewolf tales were prevalent in France. The French name for werewolf is loup-garou. In sixteenth century France, there were many accounts of men being tried for becoming werewolves. Incidences of lycanthopy have been reported throughout the world in modern as well as ancient times.
Origin of the Vampire
Vampire lore is varied, but usually has to do with death or is associated with the grieving process. The Lamia, a vampire of Greece, attacked children and sucked their blood after having a stillborn child. Vampire tales often served as a warning to those tempted to lead an evil lifestyle. If they were bad, they might become a vampire.
In European tales, an unexpected or sudden death, suicide, or improper funeral or burial might also cause a vampire to rise from the grave. After the death of a loved one, that person came back to attack the family. The victims of vampires suffered from nightmares and appeared to have a wasting disease. The vampires multiplied by contaminating members of their family or community.
The vampire of literature was a more romantic vision of the vampire. Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula strongly influenced vampire myths.
Vyrkolakas – Werewolf or Vampire?
Werewolves and vampires existed side by side in the mythologies of many cultures. Among Slavic tribes in the Balkans, young warriors ritually transformed into wolves by the wearing of pelts.
Over the centuries Vyrkolakas lost its meaning as the rituals disappeared. By the 16th century, the meaning had changed to vampire. There was a Slavic belief that those who had been werewolves in life would become vampires after death.
Blood Feud Between Vampires and Werewolves
The battle between vampires and werewolves is most evident in the 2003 film Underworld. However, a blood feud between vampires and werewolves is more of movie concept than one based on traditional legend. In legend, werewolves and vampires simply did not have much contact. In some, they shared a connection, but were not necessarily mortal enemies.
There have been allusions to a battle between vampires and werewolves called the Trajanic Wars. In 101-102 and 105-106, there were two short wars between the Roman Empire during Trajan’s rule, and the Dacian kingdom, which had become a threat to the Empire. It was said that during that event the Dacian vampires betrayed the werewolves, which were their servants, to the Romans, and this unforgiveable act caused werewolves and vampires to become eternal enemies. Though the Trajanic War (also called the Dacian War) is a true part of history, the vampire and werewolf angle, of course, is only a myth. There is an interesting little essay about this at the Werewolf Café.
In the popular film Twilight, the vampires and werewolves have been feuding for centuries, but have learned to coexist by means of a pact between them. Vampire and werewolves, it appears, may learn to tolerate each other, but they will probably never be the best of friends.
Sources:
Melton, Gordon J. The Vampire Book:, The Encyclopedia of the Undead, 2nd Edition. Canton, MI: Visible Ink Press, 1999.
ISBN 1-57859-9071X
Read More:
Click here to read about The Flim Twilight and the Quileute Legend
Click this link to read about Myths about Vampires
Just for fun: click here to get a Werewolf Name
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