Random Rambling: Mythology
We have... let's say an eclectic mix of interests, and we feel our patrons do too. With that thought in mind, we present a feature we call "Random Rambling." It isn't quite random, but it's close: we made a little spinner with some of our favorite subjects. Every Friday, we give the thing a spin, and then you, lucky people that you are, get to learn a fact related to the subject the spinner landed on.
This week's topic is:
Mythology!
In that case, let's discuss one of our favorite mythological creatures: the werewolf.
Werewolves have been around longer than the term "werewolf" has. "Werewolf" comes from the Old English "werwulf," but people who could shapeshift into wolves have been around since at least Herodotus, some 1500 years before Old English existed. Some historians think that the myth of werewolves originated with the Proto-Indo-European peoples from whom a large chunk of the Northern Hemisphere descended. If so, it would go a long way toward explaining why every culture that has encountered the wolf has also got a werewolf legend... although it doesn't explain why Native Americans, who split off from everyone else at least 12,000 years ago, also have legends. Either the myths go that far back, or the idea that these canines have something supernatural in common with people is a universal one.
Strangely, even though well over half the world has some kind of myth about half-man, half-wolf creatures, the commonalities between the myths begin and end right there. Depending on who you ask, a werewolf is a protector, a warrior, a witch, a madman, a demon, or a different species altogether. Their form could be that of an ordinary wolf, a dire wolf, a wolf-like canine, a wolf-man hybrid, a man with excessive body hair, or a cute little girl with furry ears and a tail.
Pictured: the creature man has dreamed of and feared for millenia.
Werewolves can be broadly grouped as follows, based on the general shape of their cultural myth:
Supernatural Leaders. The most basic form of the werewolf is that of an especially powerful wolf who leads large packs of normal wolves. You can see examples of this in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, where Sauron transforms into a werewolf; rather than being a werewolf by virtue of his shapeshifting, "werewolf" is a shape he can shift into. Similarly, wargs- larger and more intelligent versions of wolves- are claimed to be descended from werewolves.
Supernatural Human Packs. Especially tight-knit groups of warriors were regularly believed to be werewolves. Probably the most famous examples of this come from Ireland, where every magical kingdom in their mythology has some group of knights who occasionally become dogs, hounds, wolfhounds or straight-up wolves.
Humans With Wolf Souls. This is common in cultures that believe in out-of-body experiences. They hold that some people can leave their human body behind, transforming into a wolf and cavorting about. This looks suspiciously like sleeping, but you mustn't move the "sleeping" body, or else their soul won't be able to find them again.
Wolves With Human Souls. Especially common in medieval Christian mythology. The idea here is that creatures can only shapeshift if given that ability by God, and the only humans that would be turned into wolves are those that God has punished in some fashion. Depending on the myth, it may be a fitting punishment for a variety of reasons. They can be restored to human form by having their sins absolved in some way, such as being given last rites.
Humans With Bad Luck. Europeans have a nice, long list of ways that you can be afflicted with the ol' moon sickness. They range from crossing the wrong witch to crossing the wrong wolf to drinking water from the wrong puddle. They all end the same way: the afflicted victim now spends part of their time either as a wolf or thinking like a wolf, and while they are a wolf they have no memory of humanity. Depending on who you ask, this version of werewolves are we get our concepts of "lunacy" from.
Humans With Good Luck. In Nordic countries, being able to transform into a wolf was considered a good thing, and joining the elite warriors with that ability would mean inducting you into their ways. In short, if you knew the right guys and impressed them, they'd reward you with the power to transform either partially or completely into a wolf.
The World's Most Dangerous STD. This one has become popular especially recently, as in since about 100 years ago. Being a werewolf is a disease, transmitted to those who survive an attack from a werewolf... or just those who have some especially rough sex with a werewolf, if certain movies are to be believed.
20-year-old spoilers.
The World's Most Powerful Fashion Accessory. Quite a few cultures believed becoming a werewolf was as simple as putting on an enchanted coat, or even just a belt. While wearing it, you have the powers of a werewolf.
Having Two Souls. Certain cultures favored the idea that a werewolf was someone that was a wolf and a person at the same time. Not one creature changing forms, but one creature with two souls, and maybe even two bodies at the same time.
Having Zero Souls. During the occasional witch-hunting crazes, the male witches could often be divided into two groups- those who traded their souls for magical powers, and those who traded their souls to become werewolves. These particular werewolves had a single finger on each hand that was longer than the others, and similar toes. Even today, Germanic countries have superstitions regarding "werewolf toes."
Born That Way. Last but not least, especially in stories featuring multiple species beyond just humans, werewolves are held to be an entirely separate species, creatures that breed true... but you're either born a werewolf or you're not.
Similarly, the powers of a werewolf range widely. The most basic werewolves simply act a little nutty near the full moon; the most powerful are effectively minor gods. Again, this isn't based on any real rhyme or reason, and some of the most enduring myths regarding werewolves aren't actually myths at all; they're made up whole cloth by people trying to spice up the already extant myths. For example, the werewolf connection to silver is a Victorian Era addition. Invulnerability varies widely, with some werewolves being immune to all harm and others being even weaker than a normal person.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of werewolf mythology is the enduring presence of werewolves in the cultural zeitgeist, but not as any of the above. Instead, our modern perception of werewolves is built almost entirely on pop culture, from the Lon Chaney version of the Wolf Man to the relatively recent feud between werewolves and their allegedly ancient foes, vampires.
Why it is that all of our cultures have werewolf stories, but all of our ideas of how werewolves work are based on a series of movies starring Kate Beckinsale, is left as an exercise for the reader.