The concept of vampires having destined mates or soulmates is a popular one in modern vampire fiction. However, the origins of vampire mates can be traced back to folklore and classic vampire stories.
The origins of vampire mates
In traditional folklore, vampires were often portrayed as solitary creatures. They would attack humans to feed on their blood, but did not have relationships with other vampires.
However, some 19th century authors began exploring the idea that vampires could have lovers or companions. John Polidori’s 1819 story “The Vampyre” featured a vampire named Lord Ruthven who seduces women. In the 1871 novel Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu, the title character is a female vampire who preys on lonely young women, later revealed to have had female lovers in the past.
Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula introduced one of the first examples of a true “mate” for a vampire. Dracula turns Lucy Westenra into a vampire, with the intent that she will join him as his bride. He also plans to turn Lucy’s friend Mina Harker into his mate before being thwarted by vampire hunters.
So while vampires having destined mates was not a common theme in traditional folklore, the idea began emerging in vampire fiction starting in the early 19th century. It gained popularity as authors explored the lonely, cursed existence of the vampire and the companionship they might seek out.
The development of vampire mates in modern fiction
It wasn’t until contemporary paranormal romance novels of the late 20th and early 21st century that “mates” became a prominent feature of vampire fiction. Novelists introduced the idea that vampires were fated to find their one true mate who completes them.
Some examples of vampire mates in modern fictional works include:
- Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles series – Vampires may take human lovers, but also seek out vampire companions.
- Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga – Vampires like Edward Cullen feel drawn to their “singers” whose blood sings for them. They can forge a lifelong bond with a human mate.
- Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series – Vampires feel a blood bond with some humans they feed from over time.
- J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series – Vampire warriors find their destines mates through a matching process.
- L.J. Smith’s Vampire Diaries series – Vampires recognize their mates through intense feelings, protectiveness and sometimes psychic connections.
In many paranormal romances, a vampire falls passionately in love with a human, vampire, or other supernatural creature. Their instinctive mating bond and desire to turn their lover into a vampire often drives major romantic plotlines.
Traits of vampire mates
While the details vary across different novels, there are some common traits for vampire mates:
Soulmates – A vampire mate is often a soulmate, someone the vampire is drawn to on a deep, psychic level. They feel like the one person who completes them.
Intense attraction – There is often an immediate, magnetic attraction when a vampire first meets or senses their mate, whether it’s romantic, sexual, or platonic.
Protectiveness – Vampires become very protective of their mates. Threats to a mate’s safety can drive a vampire to violence.
Romantic devotion – Vampire mates are typically bound together by passionate, romantic love that lasts eternally. However, not all vampire mates are lovers – some are platonic companions.
Blood lust – A vampire often feels an unusually strong thirst for their mate’s blood. Feeding from one’s mate can forge an intense connection.
Turning – Many vampires wish to turn their human mates into fellow vampires so they can be together immortal
How do vampires find their mates?
Vampires identify destined mates in different supernatural ways, including:
Scent – A vampire catches the scent of a mate’s blood or skin, which calls to them.
Psychic signs – A vampire receives visions or other psychic signs pointing them to their mate.
Instinctual feeling – An immediate sense of recognition upon meeting one’s mate.
Physical sensations – Seeing or touching one’s mate triggers physical reactions like a fluttering heart, even though the vampire’s heart doesn’t beat.
Matching system – In some vampire societies, astrology or other mystic systems match vampires to their best-suited mates.
So in many stories, vampires don’t choose mates – fate leads them together through supernatural means. They feel instinctively drawn to each other.
Vampire mating rituals
Vampires mark and bind themselves to mates through special rituals, including:
Blood exchange – Feeding from each other’s blood forges a lasting connection and telepathic bond.
Marking – Vampires brand mates by biting them. The mark identifies a mate and establishes an ownership bond.
Turning – Turning a human mate into a vampire completes the mating bond.
Ceremonies – Some vampire circles have oathing ceremonies to formalize mating bonds.
Consummation – Sexual intercourse can mark the consummation of a vampire mating bond.
These rituals vary between books but serve to cement the lifelong partnership between vampires and mates. Mating bonds last beyond death – a vampire might search centuries to reconnect with a reincarnated mate.
Challenges of vampire mates
Destined vampire mates face difficulties unique to their supernatural circumstances:
Taboos against human mating – Some vampire societies forbid turning or mating with humans. Rule-breaking couples face punishment.
Competition for mates – Powerful vampires sometimes fight over the same rare mate. Even loving mates can become possessive.
Disputed bonds – Occasionally a vampire takes the wrong mate by mistake or force, causing future turmoil.
Danger to human mates – Vampires’ enemies often target known mates as weaknesses. Newly turned mates struggle with vampire vulnerabilities.
Mate loss – The death of a vampire’s mate, especially before turning them, is an agonizing loss. It takes centuries to recover if ever.
Mate rejection – Some human mates refuse to turn or break mating bonds. The rejection can unbalance vampires.
So while vampire mates share an intense supernatural bond, their relationships also face unique troubles stemming from the differences between mortals and immortals.
Conclusion
The vampire’s destined mate is now a staple of paranormal romance fiction. But its origins trace back to 19th century vampire stories exploring the notion that even cursed, blood-drinking immortals could feel love and seek companionship.
Today’s fictional vampire mates represent the culmination of that idea – that vampires can find their one true love. A mate completes them emotionally while also satisfying their bloodlust. And boundaries like mortality don’t necessarily stop vampire mates from forging an eternal supernatural bond.
The complex dynamics between vampires and mates open up rich storytelling territory. It allows authors to explore desire, devotion, jealousy, protectiveness, and conflict between lovers of two different worlds. So vampire mates continue to entrance modern readers while also hearkening back to some of the earliest vampire fiction.