therianthropy

Therianthropy is the belief or experience that a human being can transform into an animal or that a human possesses an animal soul, nature, or essence. The term comes from the Greek therion ("beast") and anthrōpos ("man"). In traditional contexts, therianthropy is often discussed alongside mythic shapeshifting and totemic beliefs, rather than as a monolithic doctrine.

In many mythologies, shapeshifting is a common motif, with figures such as werewolves or other culture-specific shapeshifters described as transforming between human and animal forms. Some traditions describe animal souls or spirit beings that can influence human behavior, dreams, or identity. Anthropologists sometimes use related concepts to discuss animism, shamans, or totemic belief, where humans diverge from their ordinary form.

In contemporary usage, therianthropy also refers to a subculture of people who identify as therians. These individuals may report an intrinsic sense of kinship with animals, or feel that they inhabit an animal self, either all the time or in certain contexts. They usually distinguish between physical transformation and internal identity, fantasy, or role-play; most therians do not claim the ability to physically transform. Online communities and support networks exist to share experiences and information.

Scholarly and clinical perspectives treat therianthropy as a belief system, identity, or experiential phenomenon rather than a demonstrable biological condition. Discussions often emphasize the diversity of experiences, ethical considerations, and the distinction between mythic shapeshifting and modern identity. Some scholars caution against conflating mythic shapeshifting with legitimate psychological conditions, while others view it as a form of personhood exploration.