(2024-06-28 7:08)Siris Wrote:  I would be curious how those of us in the mythic persuasion would fit in your theory.

(2024-06-28 14:32)Hawk_Fox_Girl Wrote:  I second Siris's question as a draconic shapeshifter how would that part of me fit in? If there were n mythical/magical creatures then how do I have this theriotype?

It's because I believe the theriotype isn't actually the smallest particle of the story. I love theriotypes and identify myself as feline, more specifically as a cat. However, I think of things more as "traits". For example, you can have a strong feeling of having paws instead of hands, or you can feel your tail, wings, and so on. When we search for theriotypes, we compile all these traits into a list and try to find a species that checks all the boxes. I don't think this approach is bad at all because it greatly simplifies things, but identifying as an animal also allows us to reason about it on a personal and psychological level. I think it actually reflects empathetic behavior (identifying as a specific theriotype), and ultimately comes down to all these traits.

Identifying as a mythical creature isn't strange at all; those creatures were created based on existing creatures and share the same traits as existing animals. It's these traits that allow us to identify with those creatures, even though they don't exist in nature.

To illustrate with a concrete example: plants. I recall reading an article about someone who married a plant. Some saw it as a curiosity, others as madness. Right now, it kind of makes sense to me; humans have empathy towards anything that comes from nature, and plants are part of nature. Rough estimates suggest we share around 20-30% of genes with plants, though this number may vary. It's safe to say there are significant overlaps in basic biological processes between humans and plants. So, if a therian tells me they identify as a plant, I would believe it because I believe there are common traits in my own belief system. (Though, who am I to judge anyway.)

We often discuss obvious traits and characteristics like paws, tails, behaviors, etc., but there's more to biology that one might overlook. For instance, the sun is a crucial component of life. Plants process sunlight, and animals bask in its warmth and light; our cells use sunlight to create various hormones and vitamins. While most people know about vitamin D and the sun, did you know we also produce melatonin (I do mean melatonin and not melanin here) from sun exposure, through our skin and not just in the brain glands? This comes from recent studies, so it should be taken with a grain of salt, but it highlights that there are many traits and sensations that go beyond our usual set of characteristics.

(2024-06-28 22:06)Wolf Wrote:  My only problem with that point of view is, humans are animals, and have primitive instincts of their own as well. So, how are you decerning human instincts from non-human, which cannot be explained by evolution of human brain alone?

What kind of human-specific instincts? Can you give some examples?

(2024-06-29 2:42)BlackCat0118 Wrote:  Do you mean like, you have no animal and human side and are simply just that animal? Because if so, I'm the same way.
I simply am a cat. My personality and very being is a cat.

(I also wanted to clarify that I wasn't saying that you can't have a spiritual connection to the animal you identify as just that that's not all Therianthropy is about)

I'm not sure what I mean exactly... (^_^)'

...but I do feel you when you say it's not aesthetic + spiritual connection. There is an identity component in there. I need to explore that part more

(2024-06-25 16:47)QFurry Wrote:  

(2024-06-09 5:47)BlackCat0118 Wrote:  It is extremely annoying to see people diminish Therianthropy to an aesthetic and a spiritual connection.

I'm very very new to therianthropy. For me I see it as a profound connection but not as me-and-them... more like. It's me, I *am* that animal, it is there inside and I want to free it. There is no me-and-them, we are the same. (I guess I'm mostly thinking about my cats when I say "them")

idk... those that make sense?

Do you mean like, you have no animal and human side and are simply just that animal? Because if so, I'm the same way.
I simply am a cat. My personality and very being is a cat.

(I also wanted to clarify that I wasn't saying that you can't have a spiritual connection to the animal you identify as just that that's not all Therianthropy is about)

This is a very good observation. I have a theory of my own that is adjacent, but different. My only problem with that point of view is, humans are animals, and have primitive instincts of their own as well. So, how are you decerning human instincts from non-human, which cannot be explained by evolution of human brain alone?

@QFurry thank you for your answer it was very interesting. As a Christian I do believe that animals have a soul but a different one than humans, so your theory fits with my world view. I second Siris's question as a draconic shapeshifter how would that part of me fit in? If there were n mythical/magical creatures then how do I have this theriotype?

I would be curious how those of us in the mythic persuasion would fit in your theory.

The idea that we are one is very well explained here: https://forums.therian-guide.com/Thread-Gaianism-and-how-it-ties-into-my-therianthropy-belief

I don't necessarily agree with everything tbh but the core principles is totally what I believe. We are like one giant organism.

ah sorry!! How... so... it's a bit spiritual at first so bare with me

I always loved my cats and I found that they have consciousness. (In the religion I grew up with, the soul was considered a human thing only, so I have "unlearned" that concept.)

Then I realized humans, plants, animals, everything... we are actually *one* single thing. When we die, we go back to nature. And nature reshapes us to other creatures.

But then recently I discovered therianthropy and realized that it is not just that they have a consciousness like us, it's actually the other way around: we are *them*, *we* are *animals*, we have all of this inside us. (I guess it awakens under euphoria and dopamine influence in certain circumstances but I'm gonna write another post in psychological for that subject.)

I don't know how I saw it... somehow watching other therians doing therian things kinda woke up my own therian identity and the rest is just built up theory to why *we* are *them/animals* (DNA, brain layers and plasticity, that's just wild guess, it's baseless).

I also do the same thing. If you want could you answer my question I'm just curious

oh it's okay I'm subscribed everywhere I post

I'm glad it resonates with someone (^_^)