The Black Veil: A Historical Framework of Ethics in the Vampire Community
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, as the vampire subculture began to formalize and differentiate itself from its fictional and gothic roots, there arose a pressing need for a shared set of ethics to guide behavior and ensure safety within the growing community. In response, a group of prominent figures in the vampiric world came together to create what would become one of the most influential documents in the modern vampire movement: The Black Veil, Version 2.0. This set of ethical principles—also known as “The 13 Rules of the Community”—was a voluntary code that aimed to foster unity, discretion, and respect among self-identified vampires and their associates.
The Black Veil was composed collaboratively by Michelle Belanger of House Kheperu, Father Todd of House Sahjaza, and representatives of COVICA (the Council of Vampyric International Community Affairs). Although it was initially linked with the Sanguinarium, a prominent lifestyle-based vampyre organization at the time, its ideals and purpose were envisioned to extend beyond any one group. The goal was not to instruct individuals on how to become a vampire, but rather to provide a code of conduct for those who identified as such and wished to participate in the community with integrity and purpose.
Despite its intentions, the document was met with mixed reactions. Critics accused it of being too theatrical or overly influenced by role-playing game aesthetics. Others rejected it outright due to its ties with the Sanguinarium or felt that its principles, while noble, lacked relevance for vampires who did not align with the lifestyle model. Nonetheless, many within the vampire community recognized the document’s value as a tool for setting behavioral expectations, establishing shared cultural norms, and promoting ethical interactions between vampires and donors.
Over time, the Black Veil became somewhat controversial. Its close association with the Sanguinarium, which itself faced internal fragmentation and external criticism, caused some to view the text as outdated or politically charged. Yet its influence remained, particularly in the early 2000s, as it was widely reproduced on community websites, presented in gatherings, and adopted by households seeking a public-facing standard of ethics.
Black Veil 2.0
Version 2.0 of the Black Veil marked a revision from its original form, which had been crafted primarily for internal use within the Sanguinarium. The rewritten version was designed to be more inclusive, capable of serving not just lifestylers but also energy feeders, sanguinarians, and those involved in spiritual or metaphysical approaches to vampirism. The authors recognized that the vampire community was far broader than its nightlife aesthetic, and they sought to offer something more enduring—something that could be applied as a code of conduct in both private spiritual practice and public community participation.
Although the Black Veil was not universally accepted, it laid foundational groundwork for the discourse on ethics within the vampire community. It acknowledged the responsibility that comes with feeding, the importance of consent and discretion, and the need for structure in communities that were increasingly drawing public interest and scrutiny. Its existence helped articulate the difference between fantasy and lived experience, especially during a time when vampires were frequently misunderstood or misrepresented.
Critically, the Black Veil emphasized that those who identified as vampires were not seeking to shock the world with outlandish claims, but to live quietly, respectfully, and ethically. It urged self-control, mutual respect, and the sacredness of the exchange between vampire and donor. It asked vampires to understand the significance of what they were doing and to move through the world not with arrogance or spectacle, but with purpose and discretion.
Eventually, newer and more nuanced ethical documents were created by other groups within the community, some of which rejected the Black Veil altogether in favor of codes tailored specifically for modern sangs, psi-vampires, or spiritually awakened individuals. These later texts often removed the theatricality or romanticism present in early vampire literature, grounding the conversation instead in lived experience, spiritual practice, and psychological necessity. Some of these new models have continued to evolve as living documents, crafted by consensus and regularly updated to meet the changing needs of an increasingly diverse community.
Still, the Black Veil holds historical significance. It represented one of the first organized, collective attempts to establish order and self-regulation in an otherwise underground and often misunderstood subculture. It marked a transitional period when the vampire community was shifting from private circles and goth clubs into a more public and self-aware network. And while many today may not choose to adopt it personally, it remains a cultural artifact—a reflection of the ideals, hopes, and tensions of a formative era in the history of the vampire movement.
For those studying the evolution of vampire identity outside of fiction, the Black Veil serves as a key document. It provides insight into how community values were formalized, how internal disputes were managed, and how ethics were negotiated in a liminal space between fantasy, belief, and real human need. While it may no longer be at the center of community life, it opened the door for important conversations that continue to shape how vampires live, relate to each other, and understand themselves.In retrospect, the Black Veil was not about playing a role. It was about building a culture. It sought to protect the dignity of those who live with real vampiric needs, and to establish a common language of respect, boundaries, and purpose during a time when none existed. And whether one accepts or rejects it, its impact on the early development of the modern vampire community cannot be denied.
We have not posted the original or V.2.0 as it is copyrighted. Here is a link to its most recent version.