Vampire history is full of fascinating stories about their supposed ability to change shape. These stories describe vampires as being able to change into wolves, rats, moths, and spiders, among other animals. Because of its long-standing connections to the paranormal and the nocturnal, the change into bats stands out among these as being especially iconic in vampire literature.
History
In the past, owls and bats have both been associated with mysterious and mystical concepts. The bat, known in heraldry as a reremouse, represented dark and ominous feelings in medieval iconography and was a powerful sign of fear and the macabre. This relationship with dark and ominous energies blended perfectly with the developing vampire mythology.
Interestingly, historical contacts do not give rise to the biological link of vampires with bats, notably the Latin American vampire bat. Rather than naming the blood-sucking bats after the mythological vampires, Spanish explorers named them after the vampires when they came upon them in the sixteenth century. The term “vampire bat” was coined considerably later, in 1774, in the field of zoology, suggesting that there had been no earlier old-world mentions of these animals in human memory.
In legend from the Middle East, vampires, also known as revenants, were believed to feed on the blood and flesh of the living and to have the ability to change into night birds, which were nocturnal creatures like bats and owls. These beings might take on the appearance of inanimate objects such as straw, light beams, or wisps of smoke, indicating the varied and elusive qualities associated with vampires in various cultures. They were also not restricted to organic forms.
Literature and Film
The association between vampires and bats has gained a lot of traction because of Western literature. The most famous example of this was the bat-like vampire that appeared in the pictures of Varney the Vampire, which was released in 1845–1847. Still, the classic association between vampires and bats was cemented by Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula. A theme that has greatly impacted later depictions of vampires in fiction and movies is the many transformations of Count Dracula into bats in this story.
In film adaptations, this relationship with bats is further strengthened. Although Bela Lugosi’s 1931 portrayal of Dracula embraced the bat change, solidifying this image in the public consciousness, the 1922 film Nosferatu portrayed its vampire as having a fondness for rats. This motif of Dracula or other vampires turning into bats was further cemented in the horror and children’s genres by later movies such as Van Helsing (2004) and other animated blockbusters.
The transition from earlier mythology, where vampires often changed into wolves, to more recent literature and movies, where vampires are primarily linked with bats, illustrates how vampire lore has adapted to appeal to contemporary audiences as well as shifting environmental conditions. This change highlights how flexible these myths can be, as well as how they can appeal to modern fascinations and anxieties, which is why the vampire continues to be a popular myth.
Further Reading
Barber, P. (1988). Vampires, Burial, and Death: Folklore and Reality. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
This book delves into the folklore surrounding vampires, linking these myths to historical practices surrounding death and burial rites. Barber’s work is crucial for understanding how vampire legends might have arisen from misinterpretations of natural bodily processes after death, making it an essential read for those interested in the roots of vampire myths in human culture and psychology.
Skal, D. J. (2001). Vampires: Encounters with the Undead. New York, NY: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers.
Skal’s compilation is a comprehensive anthology that includes historical accounts, literary pieces, and film scripts related to vampires. This book is particularly valuable for those looking to explore the evolution of vampire lore across different media and periods, offering insights into how the vampire has been perceived and portrayed throughout history.
Silver, A., & Ursini, J. (1993). The Vampire Film: From Nosferatu to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. New York, NY: Limelight Editions.
This book provides a detailed analysis of the vampire film genre, tracing its development from early silent films to more modern interpretations. It is especially useful for readers interested in understanding the visual and cinematic aspects of vampire lore, as well as the ways in which films have influenced and been influenced by vampire narratives in literature.
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