Werewolves are pretty cool.
Hey, been a while.
In folklore, a werewolf is a human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf/ humanoid wolf creature, either after being placed under a curse or affliction. The human transforms into this creature during a full moon.
There are two types of werewolf that are most commonly shown.
Werewolf 2 by aaronsimscompany on Deviantart
Werewolf from Twilight New Moon
Belief in werewolves developed in parallel to the belief in witches, in the course of the Late Middle Ages and the Early Modern period. The werewolf is common in European folklore, with many variants.
Like witchcraft trails, the trail of werewolves emerged in Switzerland in the early 15th century.
In 1590 the case of Peter Stumpp led to a significant peak in both interest and persecution of werewolves.
Peter was a German serial killer and farmer, accused of witchcraft and cannibalism.
There are statements from neighbours that claim to have witnessed his crimes and witchcraft, which also involved him transforming into a werewolf.
After being stretched on a rack, and before further torture commenced, he confessed to having practiced black magic since he was twelve years old. He claimed that the Devil had given him a magical belt , which enabled him to turn into "the likeness of a greedy, devouring wolf, strong and mighty, with eyes great and large, which in the night sparkled like fire, a mouth great and wide, with most sharp and cruel teeth, a huge body, and mighty paws."
Removing the belt, he said, made him transform back to his human form.
He also claimed to have eaten the fetuses from pregnant women, and also had an incestuous relationship with his daughter.
According to a study conducted at Australia’s Calvary Mater Newcastle hospital, a full moon brings out the “beast” in many humans. The study found that of the 91 violent, acute behavior incidents at the hospital between August 2008 and July 2009, 23 percent happened during a full moon.
But, many were under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time. Although, it's unclear why they freaked out when the moon was full.
lycanthropy (a rare, psychological condition that causes people to believe they’re changing into a wolf or other animal)
food poisoning
hypertrichosis (a rare, genetic disorder causing excessive hair growth)
rabies
Like the popular vampire, werewolves have been almost completely changed from what they originally were. For example, Twilight has taken the once horrifying creature that would eat babies from women's stomachs, and turned them into guys with 6 packs that can turn into majestic wolves at will.
But, this is understandable, seeing as these kinds of movies sell very well.
Ginger snaps is most certainly my favourite modern werewolf movie.
It tells the story of two teenage sisters with a deep fascination with death, who's lives are turned upside down after the eldest (Ginger) is attacked by a werewolf.
From the characters to the aesthetic, I just love it, and I really recommend it if you're into folklore and horror.
