The Werewolf is an interpretation of some very important beliefs held by our prehistoric ancestors.
When the term Werewolf comes up I can’t help but think of the movie “Young Frankenstein”. In one particular scene doctor Frankenstein says “Werewolf” in response to distant howling. Igor responds “There wolf. There Castle.” The legend of the Werewolf is as entwined in the American culture as an apple pie. Like many other immigrated traditions the Werewolf has found its niche within the melting pot known as American Culture. But why is this story so popular? Why do people find this legend to be so fascinating?
Transformation from human to animal is not a new concept. In a cavern in France called Trios Freres (the Sanctuary) there is one of the most famous and oldest depictions of human transformation. The cave painting is dubbed “The Sorcerer” and is dated at 13,000 BCE. The picture is of a man dressed in stag skin, the legs and arms are his but the horns and tail are that of the Stag thus enabling the man to take on it’s characteristics. Though the interpretation cannot be proven many believe it is a shaman in the midst of a ritual to ensure good hunting.
As Lycanthropes refer to people who take on the wolf persona the term Therianthrope is used generically to describe anyone who changes into an animal. Lycanthropes do not have a monopoly on animal transformations. Depending upon where a person is in the world depends upon the animal that is commonly used in transformation. Examples include but are not limited to: werefoxes, werebears, wereboars and werecrocodiles. The animal that is commonly used in transformation depends upon what is native to that person’s area. For example if the crocodile is common to a particular ecosystem then that is the animal most likely used by the local Therianthrope.
The wolf in and of itself is an entity that is found over and over in folklore. Such stories as Little Red Riding-hood, A wolf in sheep’s clothing and the three little pigs are common stories that depict the wolf. As well the Grey Wolf of North America is an important aspect to Native American culture and religion.
The wolf is a creature that is both awed and feared by man. As the saying goes we fear what we do not understand. Through out history the wolf has been seen as nuisance or as a danger when in reality they are found to be neither. If a person were to transform into one of these creatures it is no wonder that it embodies one of our greatest fears but enthralls us with the person’s ability to change into an animal.
Perhaps the continued success of this legend is due in large part its portrayal by Hollywood or perhaps the Werewolf is a literary gem that seems to have found a key thread of our basic human instinct that we have forgotten about with all of our modern luxuries. Either way this is an important legend to the history of the human race and should in no way be forgotten.
