The VERY Messed Up Origins™ of Werewolves

Jon Solo2 minutes read

Humans evolved from animals, with animalistic traits still present in human DNA. Mythology and folklore blur the line between human and animal, with werewolves being a staple in ancient myths and pop culture.

Insights

  • Humans evolved from animals, prioritizing brain development over physical traits, leading to residual animalistic traits in human DNA that influence unconscious behaviors.
  • The concept of werewolves, rooted in ancient myths and folklore across different cultures, reflects a blend of human and animal characteristics, perpetuated by historical fears and associations with wolves as violent and wild beings.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What are the origins of werewolf myths?

    Various cultures like South America, Mexico, and France.

  • How do werewolves transform?

    Synchronized with the lunar cycle.

  • What is the significance of silver in werewolf mythology?

    Effective against werewolves due to historical accessibility.

  • Are there real-world conditions resembling werewolf traits?

    Conditions like rabies, hypertrochosis, and lycanthropy.

  • How did the church view werewolf stories?

    Attempted to suppress due to pagan origins.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Evolution of Werewolves in Human Culture

  • Humans evolved from animals in the food chain, developing brains over physical traits like sharper teeth and camouflage.
  • Animalistic traits are still present in human DNA, residing in the unconscious and ancient parts of ourselves.
  • Mythology and folklore often blur the line between human and animal, showcasing instances where inner animal instincts take over.
  • Werewolves, a staple in ancient myths and pop culture, have a long history with origins in various cultures like South America, Mexico, and France.
  • The Epic of Gilgamesh, dating back to 2000 BC, contains one of the oldest stories of a person being transformed into a wolf.
  • The story of Zeus and King Lycan portrays a hybrid of man and beast, leading to the term "lycanthropy" and the association with werewolves.
  • The term "werewolf" originates from Old English words "where" meaning man and "wolf," with the earliest recorded use around 1000 CE.
  • The Archbishop of York used "werewolf" metaphorically for Satan in the 11th century, reflecting fears and associations with wolves as violent and wild.
  • The church attempted to suppress werewolf stories due to their pagan origins, but the concept persisted, leading to werewolf trials in Europe.
  • Universal Studios' "The Wolf Man" in 1941 solidified modern werewolf traits, including the vulnerability to silver and the transmission of the curse through bites.

14:31

"Silver weapons kill werewolves due to lore"

  • Werewolves undergo transformations synchronized with the lunar cycle, associating them with nighttime due to historical dangers during that period.
  • Wolves do not actually howl at the moon but rather at each other for various reasons, although their nocturnal activities often coincide with the moon's presence.
  • The only way to kill a werewolf is with a weapon made of silver, such as a silver bullet, knife, or stick with a silver handle, due to their resistance to most other forms of harm.
  • Silver's effectiveness against werewolves may stem from its accessibility in the past compared to other precious metals like gold or platinum, making it a practical choice for weapons.
  • Traditional werewolfism lacks a cure, with exceptions like voluntary transformation seen in certain folklore cases, while curses or specific conditions lead to affliction without remedy.
  • Various real-world conditions like rabies, hypertrochosis, and lycanthropy share symptoms or characteristics with werewolf lore, potentially contributing to the belief in werewolves throughout history.
  • The belief in werewolves likely stemmed from encounters with individuals suffering from conditions resembling werewolf traits, leading to the perpetuation of werewolf legends over time.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.