Therianthropy: Difference between revisions

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			{{distinguish\|Theriomorphism}}
	'''Therianthropy''' is a generic term for any transformation of a human into an ] form, either as a part of ] or as a ] concept. The word is derived from ] ''theros'', meaning "wild animal," and ''anthrōpos'', meaning "man".
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		⚫	'''Therianthropy''' may refer to:
			* Human-animal ] in mythology, folklore, and fiction
			* ], a psychiatric delusion of transforming into an animal

		⚫	]
	==Scholarly use of the term==
		⚫	]

		⚫	== See also ==
	In ], mythology and ], therianthropy can be used to describe a character that shares some traits of humans and some of animals. The most commonly known form is ], from the Greek word ''lycos'' ("]"), the technical term for werewolves. Although lycanthropy specifically refers to man-wolf transformations, many people use that term loosely to refer to shape changing to any animal form. For further information on this concept, see the article on ]
			* ], a subclass of mammals

			* ] "therians", people who identify as partially or entirely animal
	In cases where someone actually believes to personally change into an animal form, or to possess supernatural animal traits, the term ] is often used. This is a form of mental illness. People who call themselves shapechangers as a form of social identification are generally not considered ill by mental health professionals unless they have delusionary beliefs or take damaging actions as a result of their beliefs.
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	==As a subculture==

	===Beliefs===

	In recent times, a modern ] group has adapted the word '''therianthropy''' to describe a ] or ] concept in which the individual believes they have the spirit or ], in whole or in part, of a non-] ], or an animal side to their nature. This can be partial, or complete (human and animal, or animal in human body), it may be spiritual or ], it may even not be a "known" animal (e.g. a ]). Such people call themselves '''therianthropes''' or '''therians'''

	Members of this group may believe that their nature as therianthropes manifests in terms of ] processes, their outlook on life, their inner reactions and ]s, or through their physical body. The parts may co-operate or conflict, leading to happiness or unhappy dysfunction, and may take much self-discovery to begin to understand or accept. Since this is a personal self-perception, the manner in which a person describes it, and the manner of self-identification as a therianthrope, varies considerably.

	A controversial aspect of therianthropy is the subject of ''shifting'', which generally refers to any manner by which a therianthrope's nature may become evidenced internally (to themselves) or externally to others. Whilst few people would doubt that shifts of mental and emotional perception, and to alternative ways of thinking, may occur, some therianthropes also claim to experience a physical change to their appearance, a subject known as ''physical shifting'', which is more controversial and many other therianthropes view with doubt.

	Therianthropes are sometimes also called "]s", a reference to other dual-nature creatures of legend such as ], weretigers and the like.

	Therianthropy does not have any central ] or ]s, nor any recognized ]. However, those who have been around for a long time are generally listened to, though less out of any perceived spiritual authority than simple acknowledgement of ].

	While there is no ] ] ], there exist ] of therians with many diverse outlooks on the concept, including ]s, ]s, and ]s. As could be expected, disagreements are frequent, and the many ] ]s and ]s of the community each have their own "atmosphere", ranging from total ] to scornful ]. There have been intermittent "]" gatherings, referred to as ''howls'', but their purpose is primarily social.

	===Therianthropy vs. clinical lycanthropy===
	Spiritual therianthropy is not the same as ], a ] in which an individual believes they are ]ly of another ]. While some therianthropes believe they can take on the ] of their "other side" in what is referred to as a ''mental shift'', they retain control and are no danger to themselves or others. Some therianthropes do not shift at all: these people are called '''contherianthropes''' and always feel themselves to be partly animal and partly human. Most therianthropes claim physical ] is impossible, mostly on ] grounds, though there are therianthropes who claim differently and some who even claim to have done so.

⚫	~~===~~Therianthropy ~~vs.~~ ~~furry~~ ~~fandom===~~

	Therianthropy should not be confused with the ], though some intermixing of the groups does occur. As a general rule, to an extent therianthropes are more focused on the sense of an animal within, an animal side to their nature, or spiritual concepts, by contrast ] are more commonly focused on furry ] and/or ] related to ] animals. There is some overlap with those who identify themselves with each group or view the other positively, as well as those in each group who view the other negatively.


	==Related articles==
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]

⚫	==See also==
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]

	==External links==
	*
	*
	*
	*

⚫	]
⚫	]

Latest revision as of 21:56, 2 January 2025

Not to be confused with Theriomorphism.

Therianthropy may refer to:

Human-animal shapeshifting in mythology, folklore, and fiction
Clinical lycanthropy, a psychiatric delusion of transforming into an animal

Latest revision as of 21:56, 2 January 2025

See also