The digital subculture is still relatively small, but it is growing and attracting attention (and controversy) in several countries, including Portugal. Who are therians and what explains this phenomenon?
Os therians They are people who say they identify, on a deep and personal level, with non-human animals, in line with therians. They are not furries, who only dress as animals: therians even identify themselves as non-human beings.
There are more and more of them, they are increasingly present on social media and, therefore, they are also increasingly the target of ridicule, public rejection and stigmatization.
According to the definition published by communities linked to the movement, a therian is someone who feels they have a non-human identityoften associated with a specific animal: some feel like wolves, others dogs, others sheep or monkeys. The possibilities are as many as the animals on Earth.
In many cases, unusual identification translates into the adoption of behaviors, traits and gestures inspired by this animal, a way to fully embody the being they say they are. But there are also those who recognize themselves in animalistic forms that do not necessarily correspond to existing species.
The term “therian” derives from “therianthrope”a word of Greek origin that refers to half-human, half-animal figures, explains the . Although the term has been circulating since the 1990s in online forums and discussion lists, it was with the expansion of platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube that the phenomenon went from a discreet and almost clandestine universe to a highly broad public presence.
Where does self-identification as therian come from?
Explanations for the phenomenon vary. Within the community itself, there are those who associate it with spiritual ideas, such as reincarnation or displaced souls. Other interpretations point to psychological or neurological factors, such as innate predispositions, imprinting or specific forms of brain functioning. In common is the subjective conviction of those who recognize themselves as therian: the intimate feeling that “this is who I am”.
Many psychologists argue that the phenomenon cannot be considered as a disorderaccording to the Spanish agency, which closely reported meetings of therians in Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao. Among teenagers and young adults, analysts admit, adherence to the movement may be linked to experiences of alienation, low self-esteem or search for belonging.
@lamejor981fm Therians are people who feel or identify spiritually or psychologically as animals. 🐾 For many, it is an important part of their identity and way of experiencing the world. They can identify with species such as wolves, felines, birds, among others, and this is known as therianthropy. #Therians #Identity #Respect #Diversity #viral ♬ original sound – La Mejor981fm
Politics meddling
The movement has had particular expression in Uruguay and Argentina, but is spreading to other regions of Latin America. Indeed, has already arrived in Portugalwith meetings of therians scheduled, for example, in Vila Real last month, which ended up not taking place, including threats and criticism.
One of the event’s critics was Andre Venturaleader of Chega. “This is pure nonsense or mental illness and this is how it should be treated!”, André Ventura on his social networks.
The phenomenon has clearly been explored by conservative and far-right sectors as an example of supposed social decadence, in a discourse similar to that already historically used against trans people and LGBTQ+ communities.
In the United States, for example, false claims have already begun to spread that children are using sandboxes in schools, without any basis. But even though it’s a lie, the message spreads.
