Bloody Narratives: Blood's Symbolism and Science Across History

Throughout history, blood has held a central and multifaceted role in the lives of ancient peoples, manifesting in their religious beliefs, myths, health practices, and symbolizing attributes like courage and sacrifice. It has persisted as a potent symbol of familial ties and natural bonds across diverse cultures. To the ancient Greeks, blood held a profound significance as the vital sustenance of life, the very essence of existence and the soul. Conversely, death was deemed final and irreversible when blood was absent, with immortal gods and demons serving as exceptions, existing without blood but not as lifeless entities. The Greeks did not commonly partake in blood sacrifices, contrasting with cultures like the Anglo-Saxons and Norsemen, who believed that blood conveyed the power of its origin.

In 2007, a souvenir was discovered in the Transylvania region of Romania, a setting that partially inspired Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula," which featured blood-sucking vampire bats.

The significance of blood extends to other cultures and eras. Judaic and Islamic scriptures prohibit the consumption of blood, while certain Christian denominations symbolize wine as the representation of Jesus's blood. In select East Asian cultures, a nosebleed is considered a sign of sexual desire, and in Japan, personality traits have been classified based on blood types. It's possible that Bram Stoker, the Gothic novelist, drew inspiration from the New World vampire bat, which exclusively feeds on blood, when creating the iconic character of Dracula in his 1897 novel.

Scientific inquiry has illuminated the critical role of blood in transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells and eliminating waste products from the body. Jan Swammerdam, a Dutch biologist, made history in 1658 by being the first to observe red blood cells under a microscope. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek subsequently described their size and shape in 1695. Around 1840, French medical professor Gabriel Andral made strides in blood chemistry and scientific hematology, merging clinical and analytical medicine, and described white blood cells. In a later breakthrough, French physician Alfred Donné observed the first blood platelet. Notably, Paul Ehrlich contributed significantly to the field, including the development of a staining technique in 1879 for the differential counting of white blood cells.