What defines a Vampire?

The great “Sparkling Skin” debate brought by Twilight and its vampires reflect an age-old question among aficionados of what we came to know as “bloodsuckers”: what exactly IS a vampire?

Hollywood has a huge part to play in most of how we now view mythologies and legends, but looking at ancient texts and literature reveals one common trait that would make Vampires into a much larger category than we might think.

Going back all the way to ancient Sumerians and Egyptians by way of the Dark Ages, many tales tell of creatures that share 3 common characteristics:

-They feed on others’ lifeforce, be it blood, the soul, sexual and psychological energy, emotions, passions, or simply what some call the “chi.” Though eating flesh is a category of creature all on its own, namely the Zombie. But then again, flesh is hardly a lifeforce, is it? Guess that’s another debate…

-They are immortal or outside the realm of human mortality, even though most of those creatures can, in different ways, be killed.

-They dwell among the cover of darkness and stay away from sunlight at all costs. In some cultures, light is the metaphor to God or benevolence while darkness embodies everything evil.

Does the Cullen’s ability to survive sunlight make them the Diet Cola of vampires, or should an author be allowed her own interpretation of ancient myths? How do YOU see the blueprints of a “nightstalker”?