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What is the Difference?
13 years ago
General
I've had a lot of people ask me what the difference is between a furry and a Therian. As it happens, a lot of people actually get quite confused about the two and will often mistake one for the other, or, in a lot of cases too, will claim them to be the same. So I'd like to do my best now and try and clarify the difference between the two for those of you who have asked me or have otherwise wondered.
Spiritualism:
Therians at their core and foundation are spiritually-based. In their definition, they are a person with the soul of an animal within their vessel (more or less). A furry is a person with what is called a fursona, or an animal character that represents them in the furry community, or furry fandom. While a furry can be spiritually connected to their fursona, sort of like a totem animal, that does not mean that they possess the soul of that animal or actually are that animal. Further, a Therian must be awakened, either on their own or with help from another person. But it is not something that a person decides to be. If you are not born a Therian, you never will be a Therian. But a furry can become a furry at any time.
Mentality:
A Therian has the ability to mentally shift into their animal. Often times, if a Therian is not confused with a furry, they are confused with a lycanthrope. I'd like to stress that these are NOT the same thing either. Lycanthropes believe that they can physically shift into their animal, like classic werewolves for example. Therians do not believe this and know that it is impossible. But the mental shift is. Furries don't really have anything like mental shifts at all. Furries, if they have a fursuit, are just people that dress up. If not, they just enjoy the artwork of their fandom, attend conventions, and so on.
Associated Groups:
Therians do not have a fandom. They instead have a community. Therians also do not have conventions and are less known for fursuiting (although it happens often enough) than their furry counterparts. Furries are known for their fursuits, conventions, parties, and whimsical characters.
Fursonas and Theriotypes:
This is probably the biggest characteristic that separates furries from Therians. A furry can and will pick their fursona for any number of reasons, and often times will go further and design and customize their fursona. A furry's fursona is their representational character, or something that they created or picked out. It may accurately represent them as a person, or it may not, but it is a conscious decision made by the individual. Therians do not have this choice. A Therian's theriotype (the spirit animal within their body) is something that they discover, not something they choose. It takes a lot of soul searching, meditation, and deep, internal analyzing. Theriotypes cannot be changed or altered like a fursona can be. Whatever theriotype a Therian has, that is what they are. Consider theriotypes to be like ethnic race or gender; something your born as that cannot be altered. (disregard surgery. naturally, it would never happen)
I hope this helped. If you have any more questions, let me know. :) Thanks for reading!!
Spiritualism:
Therians at their core and foundation are spiritually-based. In their definition, they are a person with the soul of an animal within their vessel (more or less). A furry is a person with what is called a fursona, or an animal character that represents them in the furry community, or furry fandom. While a furry can be spiritually connected to their fursona, sort of like a totem animal, that does not mean that they possess the soul of that animal or actually are that animal. Further, a Therian must be awakened, either on their own or with help from another person. But it is not something that a person decides to be. If you are not born a Therian, you never will be a Therian. But a furry can become a furry at any time.
Mentality:
A Therian has the ability to mentally shift into their animal. Often times, if a Therian is not confused with a furry, they are confused with a lycanthrope. I'd like to stress that these are NOT the same thing either. Lycanthropes believe that they can physically shift into their animal, like classic werewolves for example. Therians do not believe this and know that it is impossible. But the mental shift is. Furries don't really have anything like mental shifts at all. Furries, if they have a fursuit, are just people that dress up. If not, they just enjoy the artwork of their fandom, attend conventions, and so on.
Associated Groups:
Therians do not have a fandom. They instead have a community. Therians also do not have conventions and are less known for fursuiting (although it happens often enough) than their furry counterparts. Furries are known for their fursuits, conventions, parties, and whimsical characters.
Fursonas and Theriotypes:
This is probably the biggest characteristic that separates furries from Therians. A furry can and will pick their fursona for any number of reasons, and often times will go further and design and customize their fursona. A furry's fursona is their representational character, or something that they created or picked out. It may accurately represent them as a person, or it may not, but it is a conscious decision made by the individual. Therians do not have this choice. A Therian's theriotype (the spirit animal within their body) is something that they discover, not something they choose. It takes a lot of soul searching, meditation, and deep, internal analyzing. Theriotypes cannot be changed or altered like a fursona can be. Whatever theriotype a Therian has, that is what they are. Consider theriotypes to be like ethnic race or gender; something your born as that cannot be altered. (disregard surgery. naturally, it would never happen)
I hope this helped. If you have any more questions, let me know. :) Thanks for reading!!
Some also believe that we exist in many places at once. Whenever we are asleep here, our souls are awake in other forms elsewhere in the multiverse. So when a human sleeps here, a sentient wolf awakes on a world with two suns and four moons, somewhere on the other side of the galaxy ^.^ It boggles to mind to think on what all is possible...