Edward Cullen is an Apotamkin

Edward Cullen is not a Navajo Skin-walker

For those who have seen the movie “Twilight” or read the Twilight Series books, by Stephanie Meyer, you are familiar with the teenage vampire Edward and his vegetarian vampire family. In the books and the movie, the Quileute Indians that are natives to Forks refer to Edward as an “Apotamkin”.

According to the Quileute legends and history in the movie and books, the Apotamkin are devilish creatures who feed off the blood of others and live forever. They have supernatural powers such as extreme speed, super hero strength,and long fangs. Here is how Edward one could easily misunderstand Edward or one of his family members as an Apotamkin.

While it is important to note that there are many legends that are truly from the Quileute tribe, the legend of the Apotamkin is not one of them. Mrs. Stephanie Meyers the author of the book admits that while the legends of the tribes being descendants from wolves are true the Quileute association with the Apotamkin is purely for the benefit of the books. She took the actual legends the Quileute believe in and mixed it with the assumption that werewolves and vampires are considered to be enemies.

Edward Cullen is an Apotamkin

In the movies and books Edward displays a number of abilities and strengths that are similar to that of an Apotamkin. An Apotamkin is supposed to be incredibly fast and able to catch up to whatever it is praying upon. Edward clearly displays this not only in the books but in the movie as well. Edward actually saves Bella with his speed as he jumps in front of a van so she does not get crushed. His speed is one of the first things that puts Bella on alert that Edward is not quite like other boys. You again see Edwards speed displayed throughout the movie and books particularly when he and the other Cullens are playing vampire baseball. All of the Cullens move exceptionally fast but Edward was still ahead of them.

Besides his great speed Edward also has incredible strength. You see this first when he pushes the van out of the way so it does not hit Bella. Bella sees the van get dented and is astonished to see Edward had done it. Edward also shows his strength as he hunts for his food. He and his brothers battle with large animals so that they can feed. At the end of the book you see Edwards strength as he fights against the bad vampire James so that he is able to save Bella. Later on throughout the books you come to understand more of just how strong Edwards is and how he uses his strengths.

Apotamkin or Skinwalker?

There are other physical attributes that are similar to those that you would expect from a true Apotamkin such as the fangs and coldness. The Apotamkin is not just considered to be the “cold one” for nothing. They are supposed to be actually cold to the touch. Since Edward is a vampire and technically dead he is ice cold something that Bella pieces together with the supposed legends of the Apotamkin and Edward to come to the conclusion Edward is a vampire. Even when Bella unknowingly tells Edwards she hates anything wet or cold you see him snicker and hide a smile since she has no idea yet he is cold himself.

The fangs are of course one of the most distinct signs that Edward is a vampire and also could compare him to an Apotamkin. All vampires are known for their fangs that they use to sink into their victims to drink their blood. The similarities end there though since the Apotamkin use their to kill their victims much like a monster or demon.

While the actual legend of the Apotamkin may not be true, Meyers did an excellent job piecing the two together so the story unfolds as naturally as it does.