this post was submitted on 02 Nov 2023
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If vampires can't see their own reflection, then how are they always so well-groomed in every piece of vampire fiction? (self.askbeehaw)
submitted 1 year ago by theangriestbird to c/askbeehaw
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[–] liv 22 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I have several hypotheses:

  • the same force that stops them decaying also stops their hair from ever getting mussed up, falling out, or growing longer

  • only we can't see their reflection, they themselves can see it

  • vampires are essentially a representation of a parasitical upper class and as such they look like idealised wealthy aristocrats

[–] elfpie 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Loved the second hypothesis. I feel a lot of potential there.

[–] binomialchicken@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 year ago

I was rooting for #2 but sadly I am convinced it's #3

[–] BastingChemina@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

4th hypothesis: Vampires are actually people infected with rabies.

People with rabies avoid mirrors or it causes a strong reaction to them. It was even used as a diagnosis tool, if a person can watch herself in a mirror this person does not have rabies.

Other similarities between vampires and rabies:

  • Biting, the infected wants to bite other people and the bite can turn the other person into a vampire/rabies infected. People with rabies can also end up with bloody saliva that drips from their mouth.
  • Vampires can transform into bats/dogs/wolves according to the culture. These animals are all a vector of rabies. Also infected animals and infected people behave similarly.
  • Garlic and Sun, people infected rabies get hypersensitivity to strong light or smells.
  • Hydrophobic, the infected are becoming completely hydrophobic, they can't drink or get close to water.
  • Night activity due to insomnia
  • hypersexuality .....
[–] CeruleanRuin@lemmings.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I didn't know the thing about mirrors and rabies. That's fascinating.

[–] BastingChemina@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Me neither, I discovered that while I was digging in the rabbit hole for my previous comment.

What I find fascinating with this theory is that it would means that vampires actually "existed" for real. People had tangible proofs that someone was a vampire.

With the help modern medicine we now know what is the cause of rabies, however without modern medicine knowledge "Vampire" could be a very viable diagnosis.

[–] vzq@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 11 months ago

I always thought lycanthropy was fantasy rabies.

[–] liv 1 points 1 year ago

I'm absolutely convinced!!!

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