The current (and more correct) word for werewolf is varulfur. Its strength increases with each animal that it consumes. Iceland : A hamrammr (from old Icelandic literature) is a werecreature that shifts into the form of the animal it has most recently eaten.Haiti : loup-garou can change into anything, both plant and animal.The word lycanthropy, from the ancient werewolf-king Lycaeon, originated here. Greece : vrykolaka is a catchall word for werewolf, vampire or sorcerer.Then there is the bisclavret which is a werewolf that cannot return to human form unless it can put its clothing back on. France : loup-garou is prevalent in France with the Beast of Gevaudan being the most famous documented case.It often wears an ornament from its human form by which it may be recognized. Ethiopia, Morocco and Tanzania : The boudas is a sorcerer/blacksmith that changes into a werehyena.狐狸精 Huli Jing, a fox spirit which usually appears as a beautiful young woman most are dangerous, but some are featured as the heroines of love stories. China : 狼人 láng rén is the Chinese werewolf.It has the shape of a human head with feathers, talons and big ears that it uses as wings. Chile : The Chonchon shapeshifter is a Kalku, or sorcerer that transforms into a mythical bird that announces bad luck.It’s an evil sorcerer who walks around in the form of a bear. Canada : Bear Walker is from First Nations folklore of that area.Bulgaria : Vrkolak is a Bulgarian Werewolf that after death turns into a vampire.There are also Boto, a river dolphin that transforms into a boy, and a Uirapuru – a small brown bird that transforms into a boy. Argentina : A fox-like werewolf Lobizón or Lobisón as well as Werejaguars know as Runa-uturungu.With that in mind, I have an ongoing list. If you know of something that I am missing, let me know! I’ll keep adding as I find new ones in the hopes of making it as comprehensive as possible. It is a common theme in almost all cultures and tales can be found every corner of the world. The telling of shapeshifters in myth and legend have been present from as far back as is recorded. But there are also legends that include transformation into plants and objects (I have yet to find any of these). Therianthropy, or the transformation of a human into animal form and vice-versa. This amazing feat can be accomplished in several ways : magical spells, magic powers of a talisman, divine intervention (whether for good or bad intention), or, that’s just the nature of the mythological beast. In folklore, mythology or even fiction, shapeshifting is the act of metamorphosing from one physical form into another. Shamen Shapeshifter by Stephanie Lostimolo 2012
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