shapeshifting

Shapeshifting is the ability to alter one’s physical form or outward appearance, either partially or completely, often at will. In folklore and popular culture, shapeshifting typically means a living being changes into another creature or assumes a different shape, size, or identity. In real-world biology and related sciences, however, analogous concepts describe natural processes such as metamorphosis and phenotypic plasticity, where organisms change form or appearance in response to development or environment, without implying magical control.

In myth and legend, shapeshifters appear in many traditions. Classic examples include humans or gods who take animal or other human forms, such as the trickster Loki, the Greek Proteus, or the fox spirits in East Asian folklore like kitsune. The idea also features prominently in European werewolf lore and in Navajo and other Indigenous traditions with figures capable of changing shape. These narratives explore themes of identity, deception, and power, often using form change to test character or reveal hidden truths.

In contemporary fiction and media, shapeshifting is commonly depicted as a supernatural or fantastical ability, sometimes aided by magic, illusion, or advanced technology and biotechnology. Beyond fiction, the term is sometimes used to describe adaptive strategies in biology, such as metamorphosis in insects and amphibians, or phenotypic changes in response to environmental conditions. The concept remains a versatile tool for exploring change, disguise, and selfhood.