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Vampire Exam #1
Vampires in Slavic Cultures
34
Other
Undergraduate 2
10/21/2007

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Term
upyr
Definition
Old Church Slavic word for vampire
Term
upyr' or vampir
Definition
Russian word for vampire
Term
definition of Vampire (European)
Definition
a reanimated corpse, which returns at night to pray on the living
Term
definition of the Slavic vampire
Definition
a being which derives sustenance from a being who is weakened by the experience
Term
folkloric vampire
Definition
historical "revisions" of the myth, usually due to dualism

The Black Death - cause given to outside invader (vampire)
Term
psychotic vampire
Definition
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
Term
psychic vampire
Definition
drains life by mental telepathy or psyche

Ex.: Rasputin
-used psychic influence on Tsarina Aleksandra

-defied death and proclaimed a return
Term
literary vampire
Definition
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
Term
Origins of Lilith
Definition
-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
Term
Artists renditions of Lilith
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
Term
Contemporary renditions of Lilith
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
Term
source of the harpy
Definition
-snowy or harpy owl throughout Northern Eurasia and North America

-many myths surrounding the nocturnal exploits and cry of the owl
Term
early images of harpy
Definition
-5th c. BC Greek vase image

-male warriors with harpy body

-blood connection
Term
Russian connection to harpy
Definition
-Sirin, folk image from 17th c. to present
Term
New Century harpies - Edvard Munch
Definition
-1863-1944, turn-of-the-century works centered on dark themes including vampires and harpies

-Harpy over victim
-obsession with death
-harpies always women
Term
contemporary portraits of harpies
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
Term
Orel (Slavic Pagan God)
Definition
-God of Winter

-could make winter mild or unbearable

-usually viewed as malicious
Term
Perun (Slavic Pagan God)
Definition
-Slavic god of storms

-anger expressed through rumbling of thunder

-throwing of pike resulted in lightening in the sky
Term
Slavic Pagan Rituals
Definition
-totems of Slavic Pagan gods

-late Russian Orthodox churched will mirror rituals, such as standing during the service

-overt dualism
Term
Domovoi (Slavic Pagan spirit)
Definition
-house spirit, much like poltergeist

-may produce both good and evil (mischievious) deeds
Term
Kikimora (Slavic Pagan spirit)
Definition
-type of Domovoi, though always female

-usually lives behind stoves (used to explain hedgehogs)
Term
Leshii (Slavic Pagan Spirit)
Definition
-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
Term
Polevoi (Slavic Pagan Spirit)
Definition
-spirit of the field and crop

-blamed for crop failures and pestilence

-warded off evil deeds in local fields
Term
Vodianoi (Slavic Pagan Spirit)
Definition
-water sprite or spirit, related to the mermaid or Rusalka

-often a harbinger sailors or sea travelers
Term
Rusalak (Slavic Pagan Spirit)
Definition
-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
Term
"Slavdom" becomes Christian
Definition
-Prince Vladimir of Kiev adopts Christianity for Rus in 988

-canonized after his death
Term
Christ as a vampire??
Definition
-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
Term
dualism in modern practice
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?
Term
Contemporary Interpretations of dualism: Blair Witch Project (1999)
Definition
-borrows Pagan figure of man (witch)
-modifies cross to invoke Christianity
-gives psuedo-religious significance to symbol
Term
symbols must serve double duty:
Definition
-relate to the known
-explain the unknown
Term
werewolf in Central Europe
Definition
-attacks common during the day
-appear in the city as well as the woods
-attacks seem random
Term
Attacks of werewolves
Definition
-attacks of lunatics released from wards attributed to werewolves

-reports of children attacks by werewolves
Term
Werewolf - Gypsy connection
Definition
-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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