If vampires can't see their own reflection, then how are they always so well-groomed in every piece of vampire fiction?

coyotino [he/him]@beehaw.org to AskBeehaw@beehaw.org – 41 points –
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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

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 .....

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

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.

I'm absolutely convinced!!!

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