Shapeshifting

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Shapeshifting, transformation , transmogrification or morphing is a change in the form or shape of a person, especially:

  • a change from human form to animal form and vice versa
  • a change in appearance from one person to another

Shapeshifting is not considered scientifically or medically possible for humans (and animal shapeshifting is not any more extensive than that of the octopus, simply contorting body shape), but it is a common theme in myth and legend and a popular theme in science fiction and fantasy stories. Some conspiracy theories claim that alien reptoids are capable of shape-shifting.

"Shapeshifting" often refers to characters who change form on their own, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, while "transformation" (TF) refers more commonly to externally imposed change of form, whether by magic or sufficiently advanced technology. There is no settled agreement on the terminology.

Contents

Shapeshifting in myth

1722 German woodcut of a werewolf transforming
1722 German woodcut of a werewolf transforming

Popular shapeshifting creatures in myths and legends are werewolves and vampires (mostly of European, Canadian, and Native American/early American origin), the fox spirits or were-foxes of East Asia (including the kitsune of Japan), and the gods, goddesses, and demons of numerous mythologies, such as Loki from Norse mythology or Proteus from Greek mythology. It was also common for deities to transform mortals into animals and plants.

Although shapeshifting to the form of a wolf is specifically known as lycanthropy, and such creatures who undergo such change are called lycanthropes, those terms have also been used to describe any human-animal transformations and the creatures who undergo them. Therianthropy is the more general term for human-animal shifts, but it is rarely used in that capacity.

Other terms for shapeshifters include metamorph, skin-walker, mimic, and therianthrope. The prefix "were," coming from an Old English word meaning "man", is also used to designate shapeshifters. Examples are "werewolf," "weretiger," etc.

Almost every culture around the world has some type of shapeshifting myth, and almost every commonly found animal (and some not-so-common ones) probably has a shapeshifting myth attached to them. Usually, the animal involved in the transformation is indigenous to or prevalent in the area from which the story derives. It is worthy to note that while the popular idea of a shapeshifter is of a human being who turns into something else, there are numerous myths about animals that can transform themselves as well.

Examples of shapeshifting in classical literature include many examples in Ovid's Metamorphoses, Circe's transforming of Odysseus' men to pigs in Homer's The Odyssey, and Apuleius's becoming a donkey in The Golden Ass.

Shapeshifting in fiction

Shapeshifting can be a rich symbolical and narrative tool and shapeshifting fiction has been around at least since the days of ancient Greece. Today, the theme appears in many fantasy and science fiction stories. Both occasionally feature races of shapeshifters, and both magic and technology can be used to impose a change in form.

The word "transmogrification" has been popularized by the eponymous device used in Calvin and Hobbes

Shapeshifting in real life

Some animals, particularly octopuses, are able to change their body shape and color to mimic other creatures and objects, for camouflage or to hide in narrow spaces. The Mimic Octopus is noted for its ability to impersonate sea snakes, widely different fish species, and rock formations.

Transformation enthusiasts

Main article: Transformation fantasy

Many children have animal transformation fantasies and shapeshifting is a well-known feature of fairy tales. Interest in transformation isn't limited just to them, though; the concept captures some imaginations of all ages. Note that having an interest in shapeshifting is distinct from belonging to therians, otherkin or any other group that actually identifies with or wishes to become something else.

It is possible for this interest to be sexually charged, or to accentuate other fetishes; for instance, forced shapeshifting can lend itself well to themes of dominance. The result is a transformation fetish.

See also

References

  • Hall, Jamie, Half Human, Half Animal: Tales of Werewolves and Related Creatures (AuthorHouse, 2003 ISBN 1410758095)

External links

Copyright

"Original data received from Wikipedia on April 23, 2006. Credit given to original authors can be seen Here."

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