What is a Therian?

Understanding Non-Human Inner Identity

Do you or your child identify more with the wild world outside than the stuffy houses where “traditional” humans live? Is there a bond deep inside your heart bringing forth memories of flying through the air or hunting along the mountainsides? If you said yes to either, you may identify as a therian.

Learning what is a therian has a lot to do with getting to the core meaning behind your personal identity. It isn’t just dressing up as a fox for fun or occasionally walking around on the balls of your feet like a jaguar. It is tapping into a profound sense that you belong to something outside your humanity.

Let’s look at the meaning behind being therian and how that can manifest itself in your daily life.

The Basics of What is a Therian

The idea behind being a therian is to identify as a non-human animal on a personal or spiritual level. Therian, or therianthropy, seeks to help people reconnect with previous lives or invisible links to animals. These could be animals we have identified, like hawks, owls, and wolves, or mythical creatures like dragons, griffins, and Chimera.

Many people who identify as therian tend to manifest these feelings through physical activities. This could be something as small as feeling phantom limbs like longer ears, flapping wings, tails, or claws. That is why you often see masks and accessories sold to therians to put a physical item in place of the missing appendage.

Where Does Therian Come From?

The term and idea behind what is a therian comes from many different places. Some claim the concept became popular after D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) hit the mainstream trend. Others look all the way back to Greek mythology or the shapeshifting stories you can pull from all kinds of ancient folklore and fiction.

Another primary source of the growth of therianthropy was the alt.newsgroups of the 1990s. There was a horror.werewolves subgroup that had a lot of activity and cultivated an underground scene people found attractive.

Either way, being a therian today means finding YouTube, CapCut, and TikTok videos about hissing, running on the balls of feet, and using this inner identity to relieve stress and anxiety.

Can I Be a Therian?

You don’t need to know a “secret password” or complete a ritual to become part of the therian world. The majority of people who feel attuned as therian report a moment of “awakening” where the animal inside simply had to break free, living a life without restriction.

This feeling could manifest as the need to walk around on all fours or react to people with animalistic behaviors that are more than what we accept as humans.

The easiest way to tell if you’re a therian is to listen to your body and spiritual side. Consider how you view the world and if the “shifting” from your human body to animal spirit is aligned with your mental and emotional identity.

In some cases, stress can trigger these feelings. You may want to “escape” into the world of being a lion or a doe to better explore your place in the world. Living life through the lens of instinctual nature is extremely attractive and draws in people from all backgrounds and cultures.

Are There Other Therians Out There Like Me?

The good news is you are not alone. While some nearsighted individuals would make fun of you for feeling this way and diving deeper into your history, others will happily accept your journey. Always surround yourself with supportive people so you feel safe and accepted.

You can find other therians in many places online. These may include:

• Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all have vibrant therian communities. Influencers cover everything from what is a therian to the different types of therian common in the world.
• Reddit/Quora: Right now, the best way to get new information is from the people experiencing this phenomenon. You’ll find plenty of subreddits and personal comments on these newsgroup-evolved sites.
• Local Clubs: Acting, D&D, music, martial arts, and gaming communities tend to have higher numbers of therians because those groups are much more accepting of how individuals perceive their places in the world.

Whatever way you choose, try to find helpful and caring people in your local community. Being a therian should be a welcome journey into your inner identity and not a culture shock resulting in bullying or abuse.

For all the parents out there with kiddos identifying as non-human – relax. Your child is perfectly healthy and exploring new ideas that you can support. Remember, D&D, acting, and other pursuits of identity used to be considered unhealthy. Today, they are celebrated as fantastic ways to explore the imagination and connect with friends.

Final Thoughts

Understanding what is a therian has a lot to do with diving into the personal journey of yourself or your child. That connection to the animal world is amazing and should be celebrated, as it tends to create a great sense of inner peace and calm.

With so many other challenges in the world, enjoying running around on all four limbs or hissing at a bad film isn’t a concern. Embrace who you are and let your inner feelings show. There is no right or wrong way to be a therian. You be you, and the rest of the world will catch up eventually.

If you would like to learn more about the Therian Guide, feel free to leave a comment below, share this article, or drop us a line on our contact page. Thank you for reading!