werewolves

Werewolves are mythological beings described as humans who transform into wolves or wolf-like creatures, usually during or around the time of the full moon. In many traditions the transformation is involuntary and painful, with altered physiology, heightened senses, and extraordinary physical strength. The archetype often centers on the tension between human and animal natures.

The term werewolf derives from Old English werwulf, literally “man-wolf.” Lycanthropy is the broader term used to describe the condition or affliction of transforming into a wolf. The concept appears in European folklore with regional variations, sometimes linked to curses, magical possession, or contagious disease rather than a fixed biological trait.

In traditional folklore, becoming a werewolf can result from being born under a curse, a bite or event that transfers the condition, or voluntary ritual. Transformations are frequently linked to the lunar cycle, though not universal, and werewolves may be male or female. She-werewolves appear in a number of regional legends, reflecting similar themes of dual nature, danger, and social stigma.

In modern times, werewolves have become a staple of Gothic, horror, and fantasy fiction and cinema. Depictions range from sympathetic victims to violent predators, and the lore has expanded to include pack dynamics, shapeshifting between forms, and supernatural cures. The enduring appeal lies in explorations of identity, temperance, and humanity’s animal impulses.

Weaknesses and vulnerabilities vary by tradition, but silver is a prevalent trope in contemporary fiction, along with tools such as fire, iron, or decapitation. As with many myths, interpretations differ across cultures and media.