Vampire imagery and aesthetics have long been associated with Gothic subcultures. Their mutual style of dark clothing, macabre makeup, and emotional values makes it clear why the correlation has been so strong.
The correlation began with the introduction of Vampires into Gothic literature during the late 17th century. Since then, the seductive humanoid monsters have been associated with anything dark and macabre.
The Beginning Of Vampires
To understand why Vampires and Goths are so synonymous, you have to understand the beginning of Vampires as they are in Europe. There are many different kinds of vampires from many different origins. However, when it comes to Goth culture, it only really takes inspiration from European vampires due to their relationship to Victorian era romance.
In Europe, vampires first appeared through vague folklore and poems. People spread tales of dead loved ones coming back from the dead, seeking out the blood of anyone they could find. Works like Heinrich August Ossenfelder’s poem “The Vampire” helped continue to spread the idea of vampires until it took root in European culture.
The idea of the vampires did not start off as we see it now; originally, they were seen as recently deceased relatives of their victims.
The next biggest trend came from Polidori’s “The Vampyre”. Polidori’s take on Vampires introduced the high-class, sophisticated archetype. Previously, vampires were portrayed as simple townspeople with no remarkable qualities. But now we have vampires adorned with jewels and all the attributes that come with being aristocrats.
After this, the vampire craze was all over Europe. However, the last hits of the Vampire genre would steer the public to the seductive, beautiful vampires known today.
“Carmilla” hit the scene in 1872, with Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” following 25 years later. These books introduced sensual, dark creatures that exemplified all attributes of death and depression.
Both Carmilla and Dracula were seductive and off-putting, representing the horrible parts of culture that no one ever wanted to discuss. They both show sexuality and the shame that people associate with it, which leads perfectly into its eventual incorporation into goth culture.
They Don’t Just Share a Name
Goths were introduced to the underground scene during the late 1970s, born from punk and post-punk. Goth as a subculture was an extension of the counterculture style and beliefs that came from the style of the subcultures that came before it.
From a physical standpoint, most can already see the correlation between the two. Vampires have long been categorized and styled as gloomy
These beliefs incorporated the breaking of every social norm. People wore dark, gloomy colors, chains, fishnets, and spikes combined with long, exaggerated clothing. They believed in being uniquely themselves, along with not abiding by the religious rules and showing off all the parts of life that society tries to hide. Which ties directly into the very essence of vampires in gothic literature.
Vampires and goths began to be associated with each other, with goths being nicknamed as ‘vamps’ in the 90s. And this correlation was anything but discarded.
From this correlation, goth styles are directly inspired by vampires and their history, such as romantic goth. Even the most popular goth bands embraced the comparison. Such as Bauhaus, with their song “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”, which directly honors Bela Lugosi, who played Dracula in the 1931 film.
Bands like Paralyzed Age and The Kentucky Vampires often don’t just allude to vampires but sing directly about them. With songs named “Bloodsucker” and “Nocturne” coming from Paralyzed Age.
While a lot of the similarities stem from decades ago, the correlation still goes hand in hand today. With more modern influences being “Interview With A Vampire” and “What We Do In The Shadows”, however, media like this has impacted goth culture in a way most wouldn’t expect.
The popularity of these shows has caused the goth community to combat the previous harmful stereotypes between the two groups. Such as pale white skin.
Before the modern era, vampires were only ever depicted as skinny, ghostly pale white people. But now with the popularity of modern vampire media bringing black and brown vampires to light, the goth community is singing a different tune.
Now, goths that don’t fit the stereotype of the skinny, sickly pale vampire are more embraced and accepted.
