vampiress

Vampiress is a term used to denote a female vampire or a female vampire character in folklore and fiction. The word combines vampire with the feminine suffix -ess and is most common in popular culture, where writers distinguish female and male undead without implying a separate species.

In traditional folklore, female vampiric figures are often revenants who feed on the living. They may be described as dangerous seductresses, sorceresses, or morally ambiguous revenants, with variations across regions and cultures. Common elements include nocturnal activity, an emphasis on blood consumption, and fears or weaknesses attributed to vampires, though the specifics vary widely.

In modern literature, cinema, and television, vampiresses are a staple in horror and dark fantasy. They are frequently portrayed as immortal, exceptionally beautiful, and physically formidable, using charm or sexuality to manipulate victims. Narratives explore themes of power, autonomy, and danger, with some works presenting vampiresses as sympathetic or complex protagonists and others casting them as overt villains. The portrayal of weaknesses such as sunlight, holy symbols, garlic, or stakes is inconsistent across works, as many contemporary depictions reinterpret or suspend these traditional tropes.

Cultural impact and analysis often view vampiresses as symbolic figures for gendered power, erotic tension, and the fear of female agency. They continue to appear in reimagined forms in adaptions and new media, reflecting evolving attitudes toward monsters and sexuality.

See also: vampire, vampirism, vampire fiction, female vampire traditions.