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| Old Church Slavic word for vampire |
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| definition of Vampire (European) |
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| a reanimated corpse, which returns at night to pray on the living |
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| definition of the Slavic vampire |
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| a being which derives sustenance from a being who is weakened by the experience |
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historical "revisions" of the myth, usually due to dualism
The Black Death - cause given to outside invader (vampire) |
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used in cases of emotional or psychological victims
Ex.: Charles Manson
-Manson's influence on people lead to multiple murders and suicdes
-Manson's power based on actions of others under his control |
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drains life by mental telepathy or psyche
Ex.: Rasputin
-used psychic influence on Tsarina Aleksandra
-defied death and proclaimed a return |
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authorial creations, such as Dracula or Lestat
Ex.: Ann Rice's creation of Lestat and Louis in 1980s
-have historical tenants, based on European and Slavic models |
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-Earliest depiction probably Assyrian or Sumerian, dating to 7th c. BC
-bird-like claw feet relate to original texts
-sometimes surrounded by figures related to the texts of Genesis |
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| Artists renditions of Lilith |
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Definition
-sometimes pictured as half women, half reptile
-sometimes shown fully as snake in the Garden of Eden
-rest of illumination shows damned souls, while Lilith walks in contentment
-"Lady Lilith" by Rossetti, 1867, emphasis on sensuality and beauty of the evil character
-Waterhouse's "Lamia", 1905, pictures Lilith seducing a knight, because of the fascination with the succubus or temptress merges evil with chivalry |
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| Contemporary renditions of Lilith |
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Definition
-1980s version used for advertising purposes has continuity with 19th c. renditions adding sensual qualities
-2000s rendering for graphic novel and video game raised Lilith to goddess status in new post-modern renditions
-Bebe Neuwirth portryed modern day Lilith figure in "Cheers" and and "Frasier" which raises comparison between Lilith and harpy
-"Lilith Fair" women's concert 1997-1999 |
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-snowy or harpy owl throughout Northern Eurasia and North America
-many myths surrounding the nocturnal exploits and cry of the owl |
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-5th c. BC Greek vase image
-male warriors with harpy body
-blood connection |
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| Russian connection to harpy |
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| -Sirin, folk image from 17th c. to present |
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| New Century harpies - Edvard Munch |
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-1863-1944, turn-of-the-century works centered on dark themes including vampires and harpies
-Harpy over victim
-obsession with death
-harpies always women |
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| contemporary portraits of harpies |
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Definition
-5th c. BC Estruscan harpy oil lamp, used as an appeasement for the gods
-Benevolent cheribim figure on tile from Russia
-Van Helsing, 2004 |
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-God of Winter
-could make winter mild or unbearable
-usually viewed as malicious |
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-Slavic god of storms
-anger expressed through rumbling of thunder
-throwing of pike resulted in lightening in the sky |
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-totems of Slavic Pagan gods
-late Russian Orthodox churched will mirror rituals, such as standing during the service
-overt dualism |
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| Domovoi (Slavic Pagan spirit) |
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Definition
-house spirit, much like poltergeist
-may produce both good and evil (mischievious) deeds |
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| Kikimora (Slavic Pagan spirit) |
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-type of Domovoi, though always female
-usually lives behind stoves (used to explain hedgehogs) |
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| Leshii (Slavic Pagan Spirit) |
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-wood sprite
-notorious for stealing (and eating) babies
-probably the source for "don't walk in the woods alone"
-sometimes pictured showing a more benvolent side with tell-tale animal helpers and vegetation |
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| Polevoi (Slavic Pagan Spirit) |
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-spirit of the field and crop
-blamed for crop failures and pestilence
-warded off evil deeds in local fields |
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| Vodianoi (Slavic Pagan Spirit) |
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-water sprite or spirit, related to the mermaid or Rusalka
-often a harbinger sailors or sea travelers |
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| Rusalak (Slavic Pagan Spirit) |
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-cross in mythology of mermaid and siren, but in Slavic myth she is much more dangerous
-symbol for unrequited love and despair
-used sometimes as an "anti-evil" talisman
-shown in the magic number three as part of a sisterhood in body of water |
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| "Slavdom" becomes Christian |
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Definition
-Prince Vladimir of Kiev adopts Christianity for Rus in 988
-canonized after his death |
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-nailed to cross vs. killed with stake
-buried in tomb vs. retires to a coffin
-resurrects from the dead vs. becomes living dead
-taking the Eucharist vs. drinking blood
-cultivated disciples vs. victims turn into vampires |
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| dualism in modern practice |
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Definition
-Christmas presents - gifts of the Magi or offereings to Winter gods?
-Easter bunny - rebirth of Christ or fertility symbol and natural rebirth in spring
-Easter eggs - new life or fertility or new spring?
-Maypole dancing - Pagan rite of spirit or may day celebration?
-Russian bliny or pancake - Pre-lenten food or sun gods offering? |
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| Contemporary Interpretations of dualism: Blair Witch Project (1999) |
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-borrows Pagan figure of man (witch)
-modifies cross to invoke Christianity
-gives psuedo-religious significance to symbol |
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| symbols must serve double duty: |
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Definition
-relate to the known
-explain the unknown |
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| werewolf in Central Europe |
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Definition
-attacks common during the day
-appear in the city as well as the woods
-attacks seem random |
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-attacks of lunatics released from wards attributed to werewolves
-reports of children attacks by werewolves |
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| Werewolf - Gypsy connection |
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-Wolf man film gives rise to to connection of Romany/Gypsy lore about werewolves
-Gypsy is benevolent and insightful
-gypsy represents the "other" and the only hope the wolf man has |
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