Lycanthropes - All About All

Lycanthropes

Lycanthropes are humans who have the ability (or curse) to transform into animal (unwillingly, if cursed). Mainstream scientists and psychologists attributes lycanthropy as a form of hallucination or hysteria. Victims of such afflictions has been known to suffer schizophrenic attacks during full moon. The word "lunacy" is probably derived from this link to the moon (lunar).

In primitive cultures, wolves were worshipped as deities due to their prowess in tracking and obtaining quarries. As early men depended on hunting to gather food, such skills were highly sought after. As adept hunters, wolves are naturally idolised by our ancestors as spiritual guides in hunting. It is of no wonder that having the ability to turn into such "gods" would be a boon.

One of the earliest records regarding lycanthropes came from the Celts. The Celtic druids were said to possess the ability to transform into animals by wearing their pelts; an ability that was supposedly stolen from the Norse Vikings who were said to be able to transform into bears in battles.

Some of the feral children were said to be natural lycanthropes, being bestowed with the ability from their "foster-parents".

Types of Were-Creatures

• Werewolves - The most common, or at least most infamous, of all were-creatures.
• Jaguar Shamans - Wisemen of South American heritage who could turn into Jaguars.
• Vampire Cats - Japanese werecat demons.
• Kitsune - Japanese were-foxes who are foxes that could transform into humans.
• Tanuki - A Japanese shapeshifting demon.
• Tengu - Japanese lycanthrope which can turn into birds (mostly crows) and sports a long beak-like nose when in human form.
• Naga - Southeast Asian shapeshifter that can turn into a human, snake of hybrid of both.
• Kelpie - People who could turn into gigantic sea-horses.
• Selkies - People who could turn into seals.
• Bouda - African Hyena-men.
• Were-lions - African lion-men who are royalty when in human form.
• Encantados - South-American shapeshifters who can turn into dolphins.