{..Run away..}
A Theriomorph
Theriomorphs have always been with us, as the belief in the possibility of a human being transformed into an animal is as old as the hills. The first proofs of such belief were of course cave drawings, many of which showed half-men half-animals. Examples of such drawings could be found in the caves of Catal Huyuk, dating probably to as far as 75 000 years BC, showing half-men half-leopards during their hunt. Others were aimed not so much at picturing real beast-men, than at depicting shamans while they were in trance during rituals, when they were said to acquire the spirits of animals.
The word theriomorph, like many such words, derives from the joining of two Greek words: therion - beast or wild animal, and morph - form. The person possessing the ability to change is referred to as a theriomorph or a therianthrope (to which a similar form is the word ‘lycanthrope’). One can say that theriomorphism (other possible versions are: theriomorphy, therianthropy) is another means of naming a change of shape, a transformation of man into animal – shape-shifting. The alternate name, therianthropy, is said to have been in use in European and Asian tradition since 1901, however K. Ramsland in The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation suggests that the term might have been used as early as the 16th century during werewolf trials in front of the Holy Inquisition.
It is worth emphasising that the term of theriomorphy embraces the whole of shape-shifting and so is very convenient to use. It covers all aspects of transformation, both physical and mental change and, moreover, when used, it does not require the addition of the name of the animal that the person transforms into.
Theriomorphy can be divided into two categories, depending on the character of change:
a) physical theriomorphy
This is probably the most frequent type of therianthropy that can be found in folklore, as well as the more advanced one (just as with physical werewolfism). As the name itself suggests, it involves the complete change of shape of a person’s body to that of a particular animal that person chooses to turn into. Along with the acquisition of the body, the person also acquires all the abilities of the animal whose shape they are in.
b) spiritual theriomorphy
Spiritual theriomorphy is a different matter. The physical appearance of spiritual theriomorphs is not altered, instead they acquire the characteristic behavioural features of animals which they believe they partly are. While physical therianthropy is very rare and can be found mostly in traditional tales, spiritual theriomorphy is secretely coming out into the streets in our daily life. Its revival in modern times came around the year 1992 at what we would now call a webring or a forum, when its users started claiming they felt partly animals. Nowadays, we can say that spiritual therianthropy is widespread among the furry community, although the degree of theriomorphy differs depending on particular persons. Some spiritual therianthropes need to enter a trance (like that of shamans, or individual depending on their liking) to become animal, others are so much integrated with their animal element that for them this is not a necessity.
The most popular types of theriomorphy are: lycanthropy (wolf), ailuranthropy (cat), and cynanthropy (dog).
The distinction between a therianthrope and a werewolf
The difference between a theriomorph and a werewolf is one too important to be skipped and one should be aware of it.
The first difference to a traditional image of a werewolf is the fact that theriomorphs are people who turn into animals intentionally and whenever they are willing to do so. The same applies to their regaining human form, for they can turn back human at any time they want. Some werewolves (for not all) in contrast, cannot have a major influence on the time of their change, so that they are dependent on, for example, the lunar cycle and are able to return to human form only when a certain period is over.
Another difference is in the appearance of the animal form itself. Theriomorphs in their animal form usually do not show any abnormal features to those of other specimen of the particular species. There can be, however, exceptions like, for instance: fur colour, eye colour, and even body shape, depending on preference. Most werewolves’ appearance, when in their wolf form, is distinctive from normal wolves. Usually, this includes: body size, fur colour, fur density, build (various forms depending on the degree of transformation), snout length, number of toes (hind legs), lack or stump of tail, retaining human eyes, and so on. Some werewolves, of course, are able to transform into wolves to a stage when they cannot be told from ordinary wolves, but once again it all depends on the individual.
Lastly, a very important difference concerns consciousness. Theriomorphs may change their outer shape but their personality and awareness of who they are and what they are doing stays intact. Werewolves, on the other hand, not always have this privilege and most of them lose consciousness the moment the transformation is complete, not remembering anything from the period while they were in their other form once they are human again.
The important thing here is quite mathematical. Jog your memory for a thing you were once told at school. Why? Because the basic rule with the square and rectangle - that every squre is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square - also applies to therianthropes and werewolves. A werewolf is always a theriomorph due to the sole fact of his ability to transform into an animal, but not all theriomorphs are werewolves.
As for the supporters, they are another important, most numerous probably, group. They are not shapeshifters, so they are unable to turn into animals, but they understand theriomorphs, are fond of them and support them (whence their name). They provide help by doing them numerous favours, protecting them and, if there be such need, putting them up for a day (night) or two.
The word theriomorph, like many such words, derives from the joining of two Greek words: therion - beast or wild animal, and morph - form. The person possessing the ability to change is referred to as a theriomorph or a therianthrope (to which a similar form is the word ‘lycanthrope’). One can say that theriomorphism (other possible versions are: theriomorphy, therianthropy) is another means of naming a change of shape, a transformation of man into animal – shape-shifting. The alternate name, therianthropy, is said to have been in use in European and Asian tradition since 1901, however K. Ramsland in The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation suggests that the term might have been used as early as the 16th century during werewolf trials in front of the Holy Inquisition.
It is worth emphasising that the term of theriomorphy embraces the whole of shape-shifting and so is very convenient to use. It covers all aspects of transformation, both physical and mental change and, moreover, when used, it does not require the addition of the name of the animal that the person transforms into.
Theriomorphy can be divided into two categories, depending on the character of change:
a) physical theriomorphy
This is probably the most frequent type of therianthropy that can be found in folklore, as well as the more advanced one (just as with physical werewolfism). As the name itself suggests, it involves the complete change of shape of a person’s body to that of a particular animal that person chooses to turn into. Along with the acquisition of the body, the person also acquires all the abilities of the animal whose shape they are in.
b) spiritual theriomorphy
Spiritual theriomorphy is a different matter. The physical appearance of spiritual theriomorphs is not altered, instead they acquire the characteristic behavioural features of animals which they believe they partly are. While physical therianthropy is very rare and can be found mostly in traditional tales, spiritual theriomorphy is secretely coming out into the streets in our daily life. Its revival in modern times came around the year 1992 at what we would now call a webring or a forum, when its users started claiming they felt partly animals. Nowadays, we can say that spiritual therianthropy is widespread among the furry community, although the degree of theriomorphy differs depending on particular persons. Some spiritual therianthropes need to enter a trance (like that of shamans, or individual depending on their liking) to become animal, others are so much integrated with their animal element that for them this is not a necessity.
The most popular types of theriomorphy are: lycanthropy (wolf), ailuranthropy (cat), and cynanthropy (dog).
The distinction between a therianthrope and a werewolf
The difference between a theriomorph and a werewolf is one too important to be skipped and one should be aware of it.
The first difference to a traditional image of a werewolf is the fact that theriomorphs are people who turn into animals intentionally and whenever they are willing to do so. The same applies to their regaining human form, for they can turn back human at any time they want. Some werewolves (for not all) in contrast, cannot have a major influence on the time of their change, so that they are dependent on, for example, the lunar cycle and are able to return to human form only when a certain period is over.
Another difference is in the appearance of the animal form itself. Theriomorphs in their animal form usually do not show any abnormal features to those of other specimen of the particular species. There can be, however, exceptions like, for instance: fur colour, eye colour, and even body shape, depending on preference. Most werewolves’ appearance, when in their wolf form, is distinctive from normal wolves. Usually, this includes: body size, fur colour, fur density, build (various forms depending on the degree of transformation), snout length, number of toes (hind legs), lack or stump of tail, retaining human eyes, and so on. Some werewolves, of course, are able to transform into wolves to a stage when they cannot be told from ordinary wolves, but once again it all depends on the individual.
Lastly, a very important difference concerns consciousness. Theriomorphs may change their outer shape but their personality and awareness of who they are and what they are doing stays intact. Werewolves, on the other hand, not always have this privilege and most of them lose consciousness the moment the transformation is complete, not remembering anything from the period while they were in their other form once they are human again.
The important thing here is quite mathematical. Jog your memory for a thing you were once told at school. Why? Because the basic rule with the square and rectangle - that every squre is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square - also applies to therianthropes and werewolves. A werewolf is always a theriomorph due to the sole fact of his ability to transform into an animal, but not all theriomorphs are werewolves.
As for the supporters, they are another important, most numerous probably, group. They are not shapeshifters, so they are unable to turn into animals, but they understand theriomorphs, are fond of them and support them (whence their name). They provide help by doing them numerous favours, protecting them and, if there be such need, putting them up for a day (night) or two.
