What Is A Therian? Understanding The Psychology & Behaviors

If you’re someone who reads Wattpad or browses through TikTok, you may have heard discussions about Therians.

Now, what is a Therian, you may ask? Read this comprehensive guide to find out! Learn about some commonly held misconceptions and discover the truth about therianthropy.

What Are Therians?

A Therian is someone who identifies as a non-human animal on a deep and personal level.

Therians don’t just like animals. They identify spiritually or psychologically with them, feeling a profound sense of kinship or being.

How Do You Know If You’re a Therian?

Discovering your therian identity is a personal experience that varies from one individual to another.

Feelings Of Being Different

One sign you might be a Therian is if you feel different from those around you.  You feel a connection to another species on a level that’s hard to explain.

You might find yourself drawn to one particular type of animal. You feel a sense of kinship or understanding with them that goes beyond simple appreciation.

Special Bond With Certain Animals

If you’ve ever felt like you can understand what an animal is thinking or feeling, or if you’ve always been fascinated by a specific species, this could be a clue. 

This bond is more than liking animals in general. It’s an intrinsic feeling that you share something fundamental with them.

Shifts

Some therians also experience behavioral shifts. These are moments when their actions or feelings align closely with the animal they identify with. It’s not just about mimicking animal behavior; it’s a natural shift in your state of being.

Dreaming 

Often, therians will dream about being their animal or have daydreams where they live as that animal.

If you find yourself imagining life through the eyes of an animal or dreaming about it regularly, this might be a sign of your therian identity.

Different Types of Therians

Let’s explore the various kinds of therians to understand this unique phenomenon better.

Single Animal Therians

These kinds of therians are those who feel connected to one specific animal. It could be any creature, from a wolf to a dolphin. They may find that they share traits with that animal or just feel an inexplicable bond.

These individuals often spend time learning about their animal. They might adopt some of its behaviors or find ways to express this aspect of their identity in daily life.

Polytherians

These therians experience a connection with multiple animals. For them, it’s like having a mix of different animal traits that shape who they are.

Polytherians may identify with a combination of animals that have similar characteristics or completely different ones. This reflects the complexity of their personal identity.

Paleotherians

These are people who identify as extinct animals, such as mammoths or dinosaurs. They may be drawn to fossils, paleontology, or the lore surrounding these ancient creatures.

Cladotherians

These individuals don’t just relate to one animal. They identify with an entire family or group of animals. For example, someone might feel a connection to all big cats, such as lions, tigers, and leopards.

Cladotherians often find commonalities in the shared traits of the group.

Otherkin

Otherkin are rather different kinds of therians. They find their fictional animal identities in books, folklore, pop culture, and even their own imaginations.

While other therians relate to existing biological species, otherkin may have the theriotypes of elves, goblins, phoenixes, or even species from specific fantasy worlds.

Experiences Unique to Therians

Some therians report experiences where they sense body parts their animal identity would have.

These sensations, known as phantom shifts, can include feeling the presence of wings, tails, or even the texture of fur or scales. For people who identify as Therians, these feelings are vivid and real, even if they can’t be seen.

Connections To The Environment

Another aspect of being a Therian is a strong connection to a specific environment. For example, someone with a wolf theriotype might feel an intense pull towards the woods. A dolphin theriotype could feel most at peace by the sea.

Vivid Dreams

Dreams can be another window into the therian experience. In these dreams, they don’t just see their animal identity—they are the animal.

These dreams can be incredibly powerful and emotional. They often provide a sense of freedom and understanding for therians. They can navigate a world where their physical form doesn’t match their psychological identity.

Clearing Up Common Misconceptions

Understanding the world of personal identities can be complex. Various groups and subcultures express different aspects of themselves.

The Concept of Therianthropy

Unlike those who simply enjoy the idea of animals or find them fascinating, therians experience a profound connection that goes beyond interest or admiration.

They feel as though they embody the spirit and mind of their particular animal, even though they are human on the outside.

Differences Between Therians and Furries

People in the Furry fandom (known as Furries) are fans of animal characters with human characteristics. Many enjoy creating and dressing themselves in costumes of these characters, known as “fursuits.”

However, this is a form of self-expression and entertainment, not an identity. They are participating in a creative hobby, rather than experiencing life as if they are, in essence, non-human animals.

Differences Between Therianthrophy and Having a Spirit Animal

In many cultures, a spirit animal is seen as a spiritual guide or protector that embodies certain qualities one admires or needs. While this is a significant and respectful connection, it’s not the same as the inner identity that therians experience.

Those with a spirit animal look to these creatures for wisdom and guidance in their own human lives, rather than feeling they are the animal in a mental or spiritual sense.

The Therian Community

The Therian community is a diverse group of individuals who identify, in some way, with animals.

Discussing Experiences

In this community, people come together to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It’s a place where they can talk about the things that are hard to explain to someone who doesn’t feel the same way.

Online Communication

Therians often use the internet to engage with one another. They join forums, social media groups, and chat rooms where they can be open and honest about their experiences without fear of judgment.

They may also meet up in person at gatherings where they can celebrate their shared identity.

Different Backgrounds

The community is made up of people from all kinds of backgrounds. You might find teachers, students, doctors, artists, and people from every age and place you can think of.

Understanding

Lastly, the Therian community is about acceptance, support, and understanding. It’s a space where people can be themselves, explore their identity, and learn from others who feel similar connections to animals.

Embracing Therianthropy

It’s 2024. People are more accepting of different beliefs and lifestyles. If you think you might be a therian, it’s okay to explore that part of yourself.

You can try meditating to connect with your animal identity. Remember, being a Therian is a personal journey, and there’s no right or wrong way to be one.