Why We Love Zombies

Out of all the monsters loved and feared throughout history, none have a larger cult following than the living dead - the zombie. Something about these creatures captivates us, when we should be appalled at the idea of their monstrous acts of cannibalism. I have been a fan of the monster that stars in many greatly know cult films and have decided to share my knowledge and research with you.

The legend of the zombie came from a legend in Haiti that people could come back as zombies, this was, however, untrue. Numerous accounts of buried family members seen walking through the village sparked a myth that there could be life after death, at least in some form. They report of seeing their loved ones wandering aimlessly around the village unable to speak coherently, arms and legs stiff as if from rigor mortis. This legend was proved to be the work of local Voodoo priests that used a special powder that was given to their victims, usually by blowing it into their face, or mixing in a drink, which would cause a coma-like death. This would last long enough for them to be pronounced dead and after they were buried would be awoken by the priest to perform various tasks appointed by the poor soul's new master.

They represent the darker aspects of our instinctive and primal side. With no self-control and lack of reasoning, it could be a simpler existence we are enamored by, or a lack of thought required for their actions - they don't think, they just exist. They are uncontrollable and unstoppable, frightening and at the same time they are exciting. Zombies are as sensual to us, as odd as it may sound, as the allure of vampires because they were once human and shared our attributes and our mortality and once they have left their mark on our flesh, we become like them and share their curse.

In the movies zombies are monsters that crave blood and satisfy their blood lust by mutilating their victims in a frenzy, almost how, deep down, we yearn to we indulge in our own carnal desires by committing adulterous acts. They have no conscience and act with the need for sustenance. They crave human flesh; they crave what they once were and look upon humans as their prey. The only way they can be destroyed is by severing the head or the brain - the root of their flesh craving instinct. The most popular zombie movies normally include some of the main characters being bitten and then when they turn into one of these creatures and then their friends are forced to deal with them in one way or another; by either destroying them or trying to save them. Movies such as the "Night Of the Living Dead" series, "Dawn Of the Dead", and zombie horror satire film "Shaun Of the Dead" have made given this creature a story including a beginning, a blood spilling rampage and then finally their end, making them more than just ghouls in your Halloween cauldron of terror.

The chance of an existence after the body dies is enough to make any human being a little frightened and at the same time enthralled by such a monster; they were once just like us, but have undergone horrific mutations due to exposure to some toxic chemical or powder. Even though the thought of life after death is reassuring to those who have lost their loved ones, it is more reassuring to know that zombies are only in movies.