Therianthropy

undefined: Modern therianthropy is an identity phenomenon where someone identifies as a non-human animal in a deep and integral sense. A therian knows they are physically human, but feels as if a part of their identity is directly tied to a specific animal(s). This part of their identity is referred to as a theriotype. A theriotype is often a creature that exists or has existed in the outerworld, but may also include fictotherians (animals from media) or theriomythics (animals from mythology and folklore).

Many, but not all, therianthropes believe their theriotype to be from a previous life, though many identify as their theriotype solely in their current life. This belief could be spiritual, psychological, or related to something else.

Plurality & Therianthropy
Some therians perceive their theriotype as a distinct being inhabiting their body and "possessing" them during shifts. Other therians see their theriotype as the spirit of their past life coexisting with them. Additionally, some therians feel that their theriotype represents a separate facet of themselves, distinct from their identity.

Within systems, therians may have headmates with vastly differing theriotypes or headmates who aren't even therians.

Plurality has been used to scrutinize occurrences of modern therianthropy in systems, with some groups of therians seeing those who have therian headmates as invalid or delusional.

Misconceptions

 * 1) "Therians are zoophiles." / "Therians are attracted to animals."  Therianthropy has absolutely nothing to do with attractions or disorders.
 * 2) "Therians are delusional and believe they're actually animals, both bodily and mentally."  This would be a case of clinical lycanthropy, not therianthropy.
 * 3) "Therianthropy is historically exclusive to animals only found in the outerworld."  This has never been true and therianthropy has deep roots, including its origin, in the werewolf community.
 * 4) "Being a therian is a choice."  It is well accepted within the community that a therian is either born a therian or developed into one during early childhood.  This distinction is what separates therianthropy from other terms relating to similar experiences.
 * 5) "All furries are therians." / "All therians are furries."  Not all therians are furries or vice versa. While there is notable overlap between the two communities, there is no trait between the two that would make them the same.  Furries are people who are interested in anthropomorphic animals, while therianthropy is not inherently connected to anthropomorphic animals nor an interest in them.

History
In 1901, therianthropy had its first published written appearance in "The Religious Systems of China" which was a book written by J.J.M De Groot. However, it's likely the term has been used since the 16th century, with people being prosecuted for therianthropy (out of fear of them being werewolves.)

In 1993, the modern usage of therianthropy makes its first known appearance. On an internet forum, Alt.Horror.Werewolves, a member began discussing identifying as a werebat alongside having dreams of being a werebat. The site was originally dedicated to general discussion of werewolf media, but its content slowly shifted towards discussions of users' spiritual or psychological connections to various animals.

In 1994, on Alt.Horror.Werewolves, the first howl occurred on November 4th. This date is now considered Therianthropy Day, an unofficial holiday celebrated by therians worldwide. This contributed to the rising popularity of therianthropy, causing it to become recognized as its own community.

Throughout the 19th century, the concept of therianthropy has boomed and become much more widely known and accepted. Although there is still heavy push back against the concept, this disgust, hatred, or otherwise unacceptance usually comes from misunderstandings of what therianthropy is.

Related Terms

 * Theriosystems are systems that collectively practice therianthropy.
 * Theroject is an introjected headmate that identifies as a therian, and is sourced from their theriotype.
 * Shift holder is a role for headmates who hold, manage, or front during shifts.
 * Otherkin are individuals who identify non-physically as non-human. Therians are under the otherkin umbrella, which itself is under the alterhuman umbrella.
 * Fictionkin are kin who either identify as species from fictional media, or as characters from fictional media.
 * Factkin are kin who identify as a person who has existed or will exist in the outerworld at some point, either living or dead.
 * Some dæmians may perceive their theriotype as a distinct being inhabiting their body in the form of a dæmon.