Metamorfos

Metamorfos, or metamorphosis, is a broad term used to describe transformations in form across biology and culture. In biology, it refers to developmental processes by which an animal physically changes as it grows from juvenile to adult.

Biology provides a framework of two main pathways. Holometabolism, or complete metamorphosis, includes distinct larval and pupal stages before the adult emerges; groups such as butterflies, moths, beetles, bees, and flies illustrate this pattern. Hemimetabolism, or incomplete metamorphosis, features nymphs that resemble adults but differ in size and maturity, seen in many grasshoppers and true bugs. Amphibians, notably frogs and salamanders, also undergo metamorphosis, transitioning from aquatic, gill-bearing larvae to air-breathing, limb-bearing adults, typically driven by hormonal changes.

In culture, metamorphosis is a common motif used to explore identity, power, and adaptability. Ovid's Metamorphoses, a foundational ancient poem from around the 1st century CE, weaves mythic transformations into a broad narrative of change. Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis, published in 1915, presents the abrupt transformation of Gregor Samsa into an insect and probes themes of alienation and family dynamics. The concept appears across many traditions as a metaphor for personal and social change, resilience, and reinvention.

Etymology and usage: the term derives from Greek meta- 'change' and morphe 'form', with spelling variations in different languages such as metamorfose or metamorfos.

See also: metamorphosis, metamorphose, life cycle, holometabolism, hemimetabolism.