Therians are individuals who identify deeply with a particular animal species, even though they don’t have the physical traits of that animal. They often engage in behaviors related to their animal identity and may experience shifts, where they feel the urge to act like their animal or recall past lives as specific animals.
What is Therianthropy?
Therianthropy is the identification with a non-human animalistic being based on involuntary experiences. This means that although therians know they are human, they feel that, on a non-physical level, they have an animal side. It’s important to understand that therians do not believe they can physically transform into animals.
Types of Therians
There are different types of therians:
- Polytherians: Identify with multiple animal species.
- Paleotherians: Identify with extinct animals.
Therians vs. Furries
Therians and furries are often confused, but they are not the same. Furries are interested in anthropomorphic animals as a hobby, often expressed through art and costumes. Therians see their animal identity as a fundamental part of themselves. Therians also differ from the concept of Spirit Animals, as their animal identity is not seen as a separate entity but as a deeply intertwined aspect of themselves.
Experiences and Identity
Therian experiences are involuntary. They might feel urges, instincts, and behaviors that are related to their animal side. For example, they might feel the urge to vocalize like their animal, or have instincts that don’t seem entirely human. These experiences can vary greatly among therians.
Misconceptions
- Not a Choice: Being a therian is not a choice; it is something you are born with or develops subconsciously.
- Not Mental Illness: Therianthropy is not considered a mental illness. Therians are fully aware of their human physicality.
- Not a Religion: Therianthropy is not a religion; it’s an identity.
Community and History
The therian community began in the 1990s on an internet forum for werewolf fans. Over time, the term “therian” was adopted to describe those who identify with any animal, not just werewolves. This community is now part of the larger otherkin community, which includes people who identify with various non-human beings.
Conclusion
Therianthropy is a unique and deeply personal identity. If you’re interested in learning more, check out my other videos for a deeper dive into various aspects of therian life. Thank you for watching, and I hope this helps you understand what it means to be a therian.
