If you are a fan of The Vampire Diaries, you might have wondered how Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce, two characters who look exactly alike, are related to each other. The answer is not as simple as you might think. Elena and Katherine are both doppelgängers, meaning they share the same physical features and are two sides of the same soul. They are both descendants of an ancient bloodline, which is connected to Katherine’s evil vampire family, the Petrova Doppelgängers.
The Petrova Bloodline
The Petrova bloodline is one of the oldest and most powerful in the supernatural world. It traces back to two immortal beings, Silas and Amara, who were the first doppelgängers in history. They were cursed by a witch named Qetsiyah, who was Silas’ former lover, to have shadow selves that would die in their place. These shadow selves were also destined to fall in love with each other, as a way to torment Silas and Amara.
The first doppelgänger of Amara was Tatia, a beautiful woman who lived in ancient Greece. She was the original Petrova, and her blood was used by Esther, the Original Witch, to turn her children into the first vampires. One of these children was Klaus Mikaelson, who was also part werewolf. His mother suppressed his hybrid nature with a curse that could only be broken by sacrificing a Petrova doppelgänger.
The next doppelgänger of Amara was Katerina Petrova, better known as Katherine Pierce. She was born in Bulgaria in 1473, and became a vampire in 1492 after escaping from Klaus’ sacrifice. She spent the next 500 years on the run from him, while also seducing and manipulating many people along the way. One of them was Stefan Salvatore, who she met in 1864 and fell in love with. She also had a brief affair with his brother Damon Salvatore, who she turned into a vampire as well.
The Gilbert Connection
The final doppelgänger of Amara was Elena Gilbert, who was born in Mystic Falls in 1992. She was adopted by Grayson and Miranda Gilbert, who died in a car accident when she was 17. She later discovered that her biological parents were John Gilbert, her uncle, and Isobel Flemming, a former student of Alaric Saltzman. Isobel was turned into a vampire by Damon Salvatore at Katherine’s request.
Elena is a descendant of Katherine because in the Vampire Diaries TV show, Katherine turned Elena into a vampire at the end of Season Two. After becoming a vampire, Elena was then able to pass her line to future generations, making her a direct descendant of Katherine.
Elena also learned that she and Katherine are related through another branch of the Petrova family tree. In 1490, Katherine gave birth to a daughter, who was taken from her by her own father and given away. This daughter grew up and had children of her own, continuing the Petrova bloodline. One of these children was Isobel Flemming, Elena’s biological mother.
The Doppelgänger Destiny
Elena and Katherine have more than just blood ties. They also have a mystical connection that goes beyond their physical resemblance. They are both part of a prophecy that involves Klaus Mikaelson and his quest to break his hybrid curse.
Klaus needed a Petrova doppelgänger to sacrifice along with a werewolf and a vampire in order to unleash his true potential as a hybrid. He tried to use Katherine in 1492, but she foiled his plan by turning herself into a vampire with the help of another Original Vampire named Elijah Mikaelson, who loved her.
He then waited for another doppelgänger to be born, which happened to be Elena. He came to Mystic Falls in 2010 to use her for his ritual, but he was stopped by Stefan Salvatore and Damon Salvatore, who both loved her as well. He eventually succeeded in breaking his curse with the help of Bonnie Bennett, a powerful witch and Elena’s best friend.
However, he also learned that there was another reason why doppelgängers existed. They were meant to be together as soulmates, as part of Qetsiyah’s revenge on Silas and Amara. Klaus realized that he could use this to his advantage by creating more hybrids with the blood of Elena and her doppelgänger lover.
He tried to force Elena to choose between Stefan and Damon, but she refused to do so. She eventually chose Stefan as her true love, but their relationship was complicated by many factors, such as Damon’s feelings for her, Katherine’s interference, and Elena’s transformation into a vampire.
Elena and Katherine have had a tumultuous relationship throughout the series. They have been enemies, allies, and frenemies at different times. They have also impersonated each other on several occasions, causing confusion and chaos among their friends and foes.
They have also shared some moments of understanding and compassion, such as when Elena forgave Katherine on her deathbed before Katherine possessed her body. However, they have also tried to kill each other multiple times, such as when Elena stabbed Katherine in the heart with the Traveler knife, ending her life for good.
Elena and Katherine are two sides of the same coin. They are both strong, smart, and beautiful women who have faced many challenges and tragedies in their lives. They are both loved and hated by many people. They are both Petrova doppelgängers, who share a destiny that is bigger than themselves. They are both related to each other by blood and by soul.
