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| Blade circa 1970's |
The feast day lends itself to thinking about the cross and more specifically, the crucifix. Thus, of course, we naturally will think about vampires.
The grand-daddy of all vampire fiction is Bram Stroker's
Dracula. In the novel, the crucifix plays a key role in diminishing the power of Dracula and other vampires. The cross was a symbol of Christian salvation and Dracula and his minions were of "Satan" so the cross could conquer them.
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| If there is no cross, two candlesticks will do |
Recently on ebay and other auction sites, Vampire Hunter kits appeared and some are asking for high dollars. There is some credence that "vampire hunters" actually existed at one time. Other than priests or monks, vampire hunters were the only ones who could kill vampires. The arsenal they carried included: holy water, firearms with silver ammunition, silver nets, crossbows that fire wooden stakes and a crucifix (not a cross but a crucifix!). One such kit was auctioned off by an antique dealer in
Natchez (where the Vampire King's
home is located in the filming of True Blood!).
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| An "authentic" Vampire Hunter Kit |
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The vampires of current films and media (Twilight, Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and so on) aren't frightened of the crucifix or any religious symbol as we their fanged ancestors. There are other
methods, like...um...sunlight that makes them all glittery.
Perhaps, the vampire being portrayed more sensitively and sympathetically is removed from the "hell spawn" they once were. Or maybe the writers and creators are less enthusiastic about that final triumph of the Cross over evil as they once were. Now it's more like if they meet someone who really loves them, then they aren't all mean and vampiry. So much for beheading and throwing holy-water on them. Just brooding love is all you need.
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| So dark, so sullen, so eerie...ahhh, love. |
For the Christian, the crucifix is the key to life's meaning. We believe that life includes suffering and torment but also triumph. To not have this faith, would...well....to use vampire terms...suck.
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| "Have you accepted Jesus as your personal savior?" |
