Moroi
Encyclopedia
A moroi is a type of vampire
or ghost
in Romanian folklore. A female moroi is called a moroaică (pl. moroaice). In some versions, a moroi is a phantom of a dead person which leaves the grave
to draw energy from the living.
Moroi are often associated with other figures in Romanian folklore, such as: strigoi
(another type of vampire), vârcolac (werewolf
), or pricolici
(werewolf). Morois are also known as mortal vampires, whereas strigoi are immortal vampires.
They are also sometimes referred to in modern myth as the live-born offspring of two strigoi. It may signify an infant who died before being baptized. The origins of the term 'moroi' are unclear, but it is thought by the Romanian Academy
to have possibly originated from the Old Slavonic
word mora ("nightmare
"). It also resembles the word mort (dead).
The concept of "Moroi" and "Strigoi" were fictionalized in many novels (notably Vampire Academy
by Richelle Mead) but less so than the usual "vampire".
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
or ghost
Ghost
In traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
in Romanian folklore. A female moroi is called a moroaică (pl. moroaice). In some versions, a moroi is a phantom of a dead person which leaves the grave
Grave (burial)
A grave is a location where a dead body is buried. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as graveyards or cemeteries....
to draw energy from the living.
Moroi are often associated with other figures in Romanian folklore, such as: strigoi
Strigoi
In Romanian mythology, strigoi are the troubled souls of the dead rising from the grave. Some strigoi can be living people with certain magical properties. Some of the properties of the strigoi include: the ability to transform into an animal, invisibility, and the propensity to drain the vitality...
(another type of vampire), vârcolac (werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
), or pricolici
Pricolici
A Pricolici is a werewolf also Vampire in Romanian folklore. Similar to a vârcolac, although the latter sometimes symbolises a goblin, whereas the pricolici always has wolf-like characteristics....
(werewolf). Morois are also known as mortal vampires, whereas strigoi are immortal vampires.
They are also sometimes referred to in modern myth as the live-born offspring of two strigoi. It may signify an infant who died before being baptized. The origins of the term 'moroi' are unclear, but it is thought by the Romanian Academy
Romanian Academy
The Romanian Academy is a cultural forum founded in Bucharest, Romania, in 1866. It covers the scientific, artistic and literary domains. The academy has 181 acting members who are elected for life....
to have possibly originated from the Old Slavonic
Old Slavonic
Old Slavonic may refer to:*Old Church Slavonic language*Common Slavonic language...
word mora ("nightmare
Nightmare
A nightmare is an unpleasant dream that can cause a strong negative emotional response from the mind, typically fear or horror, but also despair, anxiety and great sadness. The dream may contain situations of danger, discomfort, psychological or physical terror...
"). It also resembles the word mort (dead).
The concept of "Moroi" and "Strigoi" were fictionalized in many novels (notably Vampire Academy
Vampire academy
*Vampire Academy , a paranormal romance novel from Richelle Mead.*Vampire Academy , the novel series of Richelle Mead's novel.*Vampire Academy , a Romance Fantasy drama film based on the novel....
by Richelle Mead) but less so than the usual "vampire".