Introduction to Therianthropy

This thread will help newcomers understand the concept of Therianthropy clearly, remove misconceptions and also learn more about how this community works. If clarifications are required, please reply and I will add on to this post as soon as possible.

General Information About Therians:

So, first off, a Therian is a person who identifies as a nonhuman animal. Often, Therians have a strong connection with their Theriotype, the animal they identify as and see this animal side as a core part of their identity. Therians do not choose to be Therians, the experience is called Therianthropy and is completely involuntary. In one of these ways, psychologically, emotionally or spiritually, Therians connect to their Theriotypes in terms of behavior or thought.

A Therian can experience having multiple Theriotypes, whether mythical, earthen, alien, marine, aerial and much more. Although most Therians only have one Theriotype, some Therians may have many more. It is also common that Therians hesitate between Theriotypes, not because they are trying to choose one, but rather because they are trying to find out which one they are. Therianthropy is natural and is extremely hard to define. Sometimes, a Therian can find their Theriotype changing all the time.

Many Therians may choose to engage in an activity that makes them feel closer and more attached to their Theriotype. Quadrobics, the sport of walking and jumping like an animal, gear-making, creating objects that link to their Theriotypes and many other activities are often done to express identity.

Shifts are another part of Therianthropy. A shift is a time, usually temporary, when a Therian feels more connected with their Theriotype. During this process, Therians may change a way of thinking and start letting out their animal sides. Strength and frequency may vary for each Therian, and some don't shift at all.

Different Types of Therians

Category of Experience:
Psychological Therian - Experiences Therianthropy mentally, meaning that everything happens within the brain. Although reasons for this are unclear, there are many theories. Most Therians are Psychological, and most in this category connect to their Theriotype in terms of personality, instincts and behavior.

Spiritual Therian - Spiritual Therians experience Therianthropy on a spiritual level, which commonly has to do with what they believe is their past life or maybe because there is a walk-in spirit. Their past lives are usually animals, which then give them their Theriotype. As for walk-in spirits, some believe that animals may choose to be part of another being before being reincarnated.

Physical Therian - Experiences Therianthropy in physical ways, believing that if they are an animal internally, they must be an animal physically. There are varying theories, but most Physical Therians feel like an animal on the physical level because they connect their internal identity so closely to who they actually are physically.

Category of Theriotype:
Ambitherian - Connects to multiple Theriotypes within a range of species, usually having a few connections stronger than the remainder.

Cladotherian - Connects to no specific animal but instead an entire family of animals, such as feline, or mammal. Ranges vary depending on the Therian.

Polytherian - Connects to different types of animals or species at the same time.

Omnitherian - Connects to all earthen animals simultaneously, experiencing being every single animal on earth.

Paleotherian - Connects to already extinct animals that existed a long time ago, or just went extinct.

Theriomythic - Connects to mythical and fantasy animals instead of animals that exist in reality.

Category of State:
Shiftingtherian - The most common type of Therian which experiences involuntary shifts and sometimes voluntary shifts. They have a clear boundary between their animal side and human side, only becoming animal temporarily from time to time.

Nonshiftingtherian - These Therians don't shift at all.

Contherian - Experience a constant, continuous blend of animal and human identity, not experiencing shifts and simultaneously being the two.

Suntherian - Always shifted to a certain degree, whether more or less. Don't experience clear mental shifts and are generally more animal than human.

Holothere - Are completely non-human, and are always in their animal state. Don't experience shifts and remain animal permanently.

Common Misconceptions About Therians

1. Is being Therian is being part of a religion? No, Therianthropy is an identity and doesn't affect one's religion.

2. Are Therians part of The LGBT+ spectrum? No, Therians have nothing to do with the LGBT+ community or spectrum.

3. Are Therians and Furries the same thing? No, Furries experience happiness from imitating animals, Therians are animals as part of their identity.

4. Do Therians believe they physically are their Theriotype? No, Therians are mostly psychological and remain human most of the time.

Note For Readers
Thank you for reading! I hope this post really helped you! If you have any questions, requirements for clarifications, corrections, suggestions and requests, please reply, I will try to add and edit as much as possible. If more than ten people reply to me, I will then make Threads for all other Alterhuman identities. Have a great day!