Within this day in age we see vampires
completely differently than our ancestors, who saw them as horrible monsters
that filled the darkness and their nightmares. But today they have been romanticed
and their stories twisted into making them appear as beautiful, god like
creatures. Their human lover counterparts want nothing more than to be one of
them instead of fearing them for their natural predator instincts. Believe it
or not, there are hundreds upon hundreds of different kind of vampires: ones
that can shape shift, ones that can use magic, ones that are beautiful and
others that are ugly. Almost every country, location, region, etc, in the world
has some sort of story, myth or legend surrounding these creatures of the night
– none are ever good or romantize. Not truly, at least. Today we are looking
into the ancestor of what vampires are mostly based off of today.
completely differently than our ancestors, who saw them as horrible monsters
that filled the darkness and their nightmares. But today they have been romanticed
and their stories twisted into making them appear as beautiful, god like
creatures. Their human lover counterparts want nothing more than to be one of
them instead of fearing them for their natural predator instincts. Believe it
or not, there are hundreds upon hundreds of different kind of vampires: ones
that can shape shift, ones that can use magic, ones that are beautiful and
others that are ugly. Almost every country, location, region, etc, in the world
has some sort of story, myth or legend surrounding these creatures of the night
– none are ever good or romantize. Not truly, at least. Today we are looking
into the ancestor of what vampires are mostly based off of today.
The
Romanian Strigoi.
Romanian Strigoi.
Strigoi
Strigoi, or also known as moroi to gypsies or
countryside folk. Generally the moroii is the blessed dead who are good, and
the strigoi, are evil. They are
sometimes perceived as witches, spirits or vampires, and in many legends are
most frequently known as troubled souls that rise from the grave to seek
justice for something that had wronged them. After death and turning, they
pretty much look the same as they did before death.
countryside folk. Generally the moroii is the blessed dead who are good, and
the strigoi, are evil. They are
sometimes perceived as witches, spirits or vampires, and in many legends are
most frequently known as troubled souls that rise from the grave to seek
justice for something that had wronged them. After death and turning, they
pretty much look the same as they did before death.
It
mostly comes out at night and rests during the day in the very grave it was
originally put in. A strigoi is usually bloodthirsty but doesn’t have to
consume blood; it can also consume hearts, souls and regular food. The victims’ soul is sucked out through the humans’
mouth, ears or nose. With the heart, if it is consumed, the Strigoi gets extra
strength from it.
mostly comes out at night and rests during the day in the very grave it was
originally put in. A strigoi is usually bloodthirsty but doesn’t have to
consume blood; it can also consume hearts, souls and regular food. The victims’ soul is sucked out through the humans’
mouth, ears or nose. With the heart, if it is consumed, the Strigoi gets extra
strength from it.
Unless
people know the person had died, it is almost impossible to tell that they are
the undead except for their talltale signs:
people know the person had died, it is almost impossible to tell that they are
the undead except for their talltale signs:
They
do not speak but have a ‘watchfulness’ about them, and seem to be aware of what
is going on around them, as if they know what you are thinking and what will
happen next.
do not speak but have a ‘watchfulness’ about them, and seem to be aware of what
is going on around them, as if they know what you are thinking and what will
happen next.
Strengths
and Weaknesses:
and Weaknesses:
One
of their most powerful abilities would be their ability to shape shift into
different forms, such as animals. This power also allows them to disguise their
white skin and their yellow eyes to appear more like an attractive mortal. This
is how they seduce humans into allowing them to drink their blood, much like
that of the cinema flicks we watch today.
of their most powerful abilities would be their ability to shape shift into
different forms, such as animals. This power also allows them to disguise their
white skin and their yellow eyes to appear more like an attractive mortal. This
is how they seduce humans into allowing them to drink their blood, much like
that of the cinema flicks we watch today.
Some
legends claim that they can also cause disasters such as floods, droughts and
storms and that they have two hearts instead of just one; and that one of the
two hearts holds the strigoi’s vitality. The way to tell if you’ve hit the
right heart in destroying the vampire, is that the heart that holds the
vitality will spurt out blood when it is hit by a stake. Having two hearts will
make it difficult in defeating a strigoi, especially if you were to hit the
wrong heart.
legends claim that they can also cause disasters such as floods, droughts and
storms and that they have two hearts instead of just one; and that one of the
two hearts holds the strigoi’s vitality. The way to tell if you’ve hit the
right heart in destroying the vampire, is that the heart that holds the
vitality will spurt out blood when it is hit by a stake. Having two hearts will
make it difficult in defeating a strigoi, especially if you were to hit the
wrong heart.
Unlike
modern day vampires, strigoi can walk during night and day time but they can be
given away by their lack of a shadow and reflection.
modern day vampires, strigoi can walk during night and day time but they can be
given away by their lack of a shadow and reflection.
To
add to their list of strengths and powers are these: super strength, super
speed, super senses, immortality, invisibility, and spell casting. But then
again, this all depends on the region and even some going as far as age.
add to their list of strengths and powers are these: super strength, super
speed, super senses, immortality, invisibility, and spell casting. But then
again, this all depends on the region and even some going as far as age.
Their
weaknesses are much like what we read and watch on T.V; such as, they do not
like sunlight but deal with it and if they enter churches or any other ‘Holy
Places’ they will burn until there is nothing left but ash.
weaknesses are much like what we read and watch on T.V; such as, they do not
like sunlight but deal with it and if they enter churches or any other ‘Holy
Places’ they will burn until there is nothing left but ash.
They
hate garlic in any form especially wild garlic.
hate garlic in any form especially wild garlic.
They
are also obsessive compulsive; scattering small items such as pebbles, poppy
seeds or even rice, will cause them to stop the chase just to collect them.
Also crossing over a stream will become helpful in escaping them, for they
cannot cross fresh or running water.
are also obsessive compulsive; scattering small items such as pebbles, poppy
seeds or even rice, will cause them to stop the chase just to collect them.
Also crossing over a stream will become helpful in escaping them, for they
cannot cross fresh or running water.
Their
most known downfall, and what we see in some of our favorite tv shows on
vampires such as True Blood or Vampire Diaries, is that they have to be invited
in.
most known downfall, and what we see in some of our favorite tv shows on
vampires such as True Blood or Vampire Diaries, is that they have to be invited
in.
Born,
Created or Turned:
Created or Turned:
There
are tons of ways of being born, or turned into a Strigoi, especially once a
person has already passed. If a person dies without having married by one of
three ways: such as execution for perjury, by suicide or having been cursed by
a witch becomes a huge risk of becoming a strigoi. If a corpse was walked over
by a cat before the body was placed in the burial, the deceased would become a
strigoi. You can also become a strigoi by simply leading a life of sin.
are tons of ways of being born, or turned into a Strigoi, especially once a
person has already passed. If a person dies without having married by one of
three ways: such as execution for perjury, by suicide or having been cursed by
a witch becomes a huge risk of becoming a strigoi. If a corpse was walked over
by a cat before the body was placed in the burial, the deceased would become a
strigoi. You can also become a strigoi by simply leading a life of sin.
If
a strigoi drinks the blood of its victim and then the victim drinks the blood
of the strigoi, then that victim would turn into a strigoi as well.
a strigoi drinks the blood of its victim and then the victim drinks the blood
of the strigoi, then that victim would turn into a strigoi as well.
Legend
has it that if a Strigoi is not killed within seven years after of turning, it
may take on the appearance of a mortal (while remaining a strigoi) and
re-establish itself in society. The strigoi will lose all its predatory urges
and can lead a normal life. They would usually move to another region so it
won’t be identify. However, every Friday night, it will need to rest in a grave
in a cemetery and will have to stay within the grave until Sunday morning.
has it that if a Strigoi is not killed within seven years after of turning, it
may take on the appearance of a mortal (while remaining a strigoi) and
re-establish itself in society. The strigoi will lose all its predatory urges
and can lead a normal life. They would usually move to another region so it
won’t be identify. However, every Friday night, it will need to rest in a grave
in a cemetery and will have to stay within the grave until Sunday morning.
To
be born a Strigoi comes in a few ways. If a Strigoi procreates with a mortal,
the babe would result in a ‘normal’ baby, but would live forever as a vampire
after death. You can also be born a strigoi if you are the seventh child of the
same sex in a family.
be born a Strigoi comes in a few ways. If a Strigoi procreates with a mortal,
the babe would result in a ‘normal’ baby, but would live forever as a vampire
after death. You can also be born a strigoi if you are the seventh child of the
same sex in a family.
Destroy:
1:
Decapitation, removing the heart and burning it or simply burning the entire
body are also ways of destroying a strigoi, in some versions of strigoi
folklore it is believed that the creature has two hearts.
Decapitation, removing the heart and burning it or simply burning the entire
body are also ways of destroying a strigoi, in some versions of strigoi
folklore it is believed that the creature has two hearts.
2: once exhumed from the grave, driving a stake
through the heart is also most effective, but ideally, the stake should be made
from either a wild rosebush or aspen wood, and it should be driven through the
heart in such a way that it pierces the organ and the stake, to the Earth
below. Meaning, the creature should already be laying on its back or stomach,
or pushed down with enough force to do so. Remember, these creatures are
stronger than mortals.
through the heart is also most effective, but ideally, the stake should be made
from either a wild rosebush or aspen wood, and it should be driven through the
heart in such a way that it pierces the organ and the stake, to the Earth
below. Meaning, the creature should already be laying on its back or stomach,
or pushed down with enough force to do so. Remember, these creatures are
stronger than mortals.
3:
Or simply stab the heart with a sickle and put it back in its grave.
Or simply stab the heart with a sickle and put it back in its grave.
Prevention:
With
the many ways of turning or becoming a Strigoi, there soon became superstitious
ways of preventing people from becoming one especially after death.
the many ways of turning or becoming a Strigoi, there soon became superstitious
ways of preventing people from becoming one especially after death.
In
some regions it was traditional to place garlic around the grave, inside the
coffin and even sometimes inside the mouth of the dead. If a deceased person
becomes a strigoi via a cat walking over its body before burial, a way to stop
the turn was to bury the corpse with a bottle of wine. After six weeks, the
wine would then need to be dug back up and drank by the deceased’s closest
relatives.
some regions it was traditional to place garlic around the grave, inside the
coffin and even sometimes inside the mouth of the dead. If a deceased person
becomes a strigoi via a cat walking over its body before burial, a way to stop
the turn was to bury the corpse with a bottle of wine. After six weeks, the
wine would then need to be dug back up and drank by the deceased’s closest
relatives.
After
a dead person becomes a strigoi there are ways to stopping the creature from
being able to lift itself out of the grave. One way is to pierce the body
multiple places with a needle or a sickle. Another is by placing coins or
candles into the hands of the corpse. If the Strigoi is seen struggling to get
up, you can burn hemp and waft the smoke around the grave which is supposed to
weaken the creature and render it helpless.
a dead person becomes a strigoi there are ways to stopping the creature from
being able to lift itself out of the grave. One way is to pierce the body
multiple places with a needle or a sickle. Another is by placing coins or
candles into the hands of the corpse. If the Strigoi is seen struggling to get
up, you can burn hemp and waft the smoke around the grave which is supposed to
weaken the creature and render it helpless.
Real
Life Strigoi:
Life Strigoi:
Jure
Grando Alilovic
Grando Alilovic
The
first documented vampire also happened to be the first to be called a Strigoi.
His name was Jure Grando Alilovic, it was 1579 to 1656, and he was a villager of
a small town called Kringa within Istrian. He died of an illness in 1656 but
lived on in legend – for he returned from the grave and terrorized his village
until his decapitation 16 years later in 1672.
first documented vampire also happened to be the first to be called a Strigoi.
His name was Jure Grando Alilovic, it was 1579 to 1656, and he was a villager of
a small town called Kringa within Istrian. He died of an illness in 1656 but
lived on in legend – for he returned from the grave and terrorized his village
until his decapitation 16 years later in 1672.
After
his death, he was so feared and infamous that Ana and Nikola Alilovic; the
daughter and son of Jure, fled from Istria to Volterra, Italy at young ages.
his death, he was so feared and infamous that Ana and Nikola Alilovic; the
daughter and son of Jure, fled from Istria to Volterra, Italy at young ages.
After
his natural death, he haunted the town for 16 years; one of his victims was his
widow whom he sexually assaulted in her bedroom. She described the corpse as
looking as though he was smiling but gasping for breath, right before he committed
the sexual assault.
his natural death, he haunted the town for 16 years; one of his victims was his
widow whom he sexually assaulted in her bedroom. She described the corpse as
looking as though he was smiling but gasping for breath, right before he committed
the sexual assault.
It
was Father Giorgio, the very priest who buried Jure that eventually faced with
the vampire. He held out a cross and yelled, “Behold Jesus Christ, you vampire!
Stop tormenting us!” After this Miho
Radetic and a few villagers, chased Jure in attempt to pierce his heart with a
hawthorn stick but failed, the stick having bounced off his chest like nothing.
was Father Giorgio, the very priest who buried Jure that eventually faced with
the vampire. He held out a cross and yelled, “Behold Jesus Christ, you vampire!
Stop tormenting us!” After this Miho
Radetic and a few villagers, chased Jure in attempt to pierce his heart with a
hawthorn stick but failed, the stick having bounced off his chest like nothing.
A
night later, nine people went to the graveyard with lamps, a cross and another
hawthorn stick. They dug up his coffin and inside, they found a perfectly
preserved corpse with a smile on his face. Father Giorgio said, “Look, Strigoi,
there is Jesus Christ, who saved us from hell and died for us. And you,
Strigoi, cannot have peace!” They again tried to pierce his heart but the stick
did not penetrate the flesh.
night later, nine people went to the graveyard with lamps, a cross and another
hawthorn stick. They dug up his coffin and inside, they found a perfectly
preserved corpse with a smile on his face. Father Giorgio said, “Look, Strigoi,
there is Jesus Christ, who saved us from hell and died for us. And you,
Strigoi, cannot have peace!” They again tried to pierce his heart but the stick
did not penetrate the flesh.
After
an exorcism prayer, a villager named Stipan Milasic took a saw and sawed off
the corpses’ head. As the saw tore at the flesh, the vampire screamed and blood
started to flow from the cut. The village was no longer terrorized by Jure.
an exorcism prayer, a villager named Stipan Milasic took a saw and sawed off
the corpses’ head. As the saw tore at the flesh, the vampire screamed and blood
started to flow from the cut. The village was no longer terrorized by Jure.
Ion
Rimaru
Rimaru
Ion
Rimaru was a convicted killer in 1970, for a series of crimes in Bucharest. The
attacks only took place at midnight during rainstorms. His victims were
attacked by an ax, bitten on the breasts and raped after death, and were all
waitresses that were returning home from work. It was in 1971, after 2,500
arrests were made, did they match him to the teeth marks on the corpses.
Rimaru was a convicted killer in 1970, for a series of crimes in Bucharest. The
attacks only took place at midnight during rainstorms. His victims were
attacked by an ax, bitten on the breasts and raped after death, and were all
waitresses that were returning home from work. It was in 1971, after 2,500
arrests were made, did they match him to the teeth marks on the corpses.
During
the trial he was in a state of drowsiness, and was only interrogated at night
when he was clear in the mind. During daylight hours, Rimaru was lethargic and hard to understand. When sentenced
to death, he became violently agitated and several policemen were needed to
retrain him. After his execution, Rimaru’s father died in a suspicious
accident. During the investigation, it was discovered that his father’s
fingerprints matched those of a serial killer active during 1944, whose crimes
were extremely similar to that of Ion Rimaru. The similarities were the weather
conditions at which the murders happened, similar to identical names of some of
the victims.
the trial he was in a state of drowsiness, and was only interrogated at night
when he was clear in the mind. During daylight hours, Rimaru was lethargic and hard to understand. When sentenced
to death, he became violently agitated and several policemen were needed to
retrain him. After his execution, Rimaru’s father died in a suspicious
accident. During the investigation, it was discovered that his father’s
fingerprints matched those of a serial killer active during 1944, whose crimes
were extremely similar to that of Ion Rimaru. The similarities were the weather
conditions at which the murders happened, similar to identical names of some of
the victims.
Petre Toma
2003,
in the village of Marotinu De Sus, a 76-year-old Romanian man named Petre Toma
had died, but in February 2004, his niece came out and said she had been
visited by Petre. After hearing this Gheorhe Marinescu, his brother-in-law, led
a group of vampire hunters consisting of several family members. After becoming
under the influence of alcohol, they dug up the coffin of Petre Toma and tore
out his heart. They then burned his body, and mixed the ashes in water and
drunk by the family as is customary.
in the village of Marotinu De Sus, a 76-year-old Romanian man named Petre Toma
had died, but in February 2004, his niece came out and said she had been
visited by Petre. After hearing this Gheorhe Marinescu, his brother-in-law, led
a group of vampire hunters consisting of several family members. After becoming
under the influence of alcohol, they dug up the coffin of Petre Toma and tore
out his heart. They then burned his body, and mixed the ashes in water and
drunk by the family as is customary.
The
Romanian government arrested six of the family members for “disturbing the
peace of the dead,” and were imprisoned andcharged to six months of time
served. Since then, in the nearby village of Amarastii de Sus, people drive
fire hardened stakes through the heart or belly of the dead as a “precaution.”
Romanian government arrested six of the family members for “disturbing the
peace of the dead,” and were imprisoned andcharged to six months of time
served. Since then, in the nearby village of Amarastii de Sus, people drive
fire hardened stakes through the heart or belly of the dead as a “precaution.”
The
legend of the Strigoi still lives on today as seen in the 2003 case. In Romania
and other small countries surrounding it, the people still strictly believe in
the beast, whether it is a warlock, a spirit or a vampire. They still use their
methods to protect themselves and their dead. If something was not real, would
it still hold a grip of fear so deep that it lasted centuries? Or are the
people severely hysterical? Do you believe in the Strigoi?
legend of the Strigoi still lives on today as seen in the 2003 case. In Romania
and other small countries surrounding it, the people still strictly believe in
the beast, whether it is a warlock, a spirit or a vampire. They still use their
methods to protect themselves and their dead. If something was not real, would
it still hold a grip of fear so deep that it lasted centuries? Or are the
people severely hysterical? Do you believe in the Strigoi?
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