THE WEREWOLF
For centuries, werewolves have been part of the human culture and have been the subject of many horror stories. Whether it is the iconic "Thriller" by Michael Jackson or the magical Professor Lupin from Harry Potter, werewolves have been in myths and legends from across the globe. We all know the similarities, but what differences keep them away from the rest of the "pack"? How do the portrayals of the werewolf differ from different cultures?
IN THE MORNING, THEY ARE HUMAN.
THE NIGHT IS A MORE HAIRY SITUATION.
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THE MYTH
The Wendigo is a legend originating from Canada. Combining folktales from native demons and European werewolves, the Wendigo is thought to be a unique shapeshifitng creature. Cannabilistic, ruthless, and frightening, the Wendigo is thought to be a brutal, towering beast.
The myth of the Wendigo largely comes from Wendigo psychosis, a mental condition that affected starving humans in the woods near the Great Lakes region, and it made them resort to cannibilism. The myth part comes in when they supposedly turn into a horrid creature called the Wendigo due to their cannabilistic acts. Europeans who encountered the natives and retold the stories of the Wendigo simply said it was a werewolf due to its similarities. However, the Wendigo and the werewolf have key differences.
The Wendigo myth originated from the Algonquian tribe.
Humans are thought to be food to these mythical creatures, not friends.
"TRANSITION" OF WENDIGO
There is a fine line between humanity and insanity in the myths, but where is that line?
There are many theories and myths as to how people "become" Wendigos and how they "change." Unlike other werewolves, the Wendigo is thought to have no control over its transition between human and Wendigo. Once a person transforms into a Wendigo, the myths say they cannot change back. The most common way to become a Wendigo, according to the myths, is when a hunter or person in the woods resorts to cannibalism for survival, and an evil spirit consumes their body. The person transforms into a hideous beast known as the Wendigo.
There are many other ways people are believed to become a Wendigo. Some examples are praying to an evil spirit, being consumed by another Wendigo, dreaming of the Wendigo, and being bitten by the Wendigo.
Another way a person is thought to change into a Wendigo is if they want to become a monster. To do this, a person will stop eating and wander into the woods where a Wendigo may live. They will usually leave meat for the Wendigo, and the Wendigo will take the person "for training." Eventually this person develops the physical traits of a Wendigo.
According to the myths, a person can't become a human once turned into a Wendigo.
WENDIGO VS WEREWOLF
The final showdown between the Wendigo and the werewolf...
Wendigo "Sightings"
Wendigos are similar to the werewolf, but there are key differences mentioned in their myths. To start off, Wendigos are thought to be much taller and thinner than werewolves in physical appearance. They also have antlers unlike werewolves. Also, Wendigos are thought to be bodies possessed by evil spirits, whereas werewolves are people who change into wolves during the full moon.
Another difference is the locations they "live in." People who claim that they have "seen" these creatures described of different locations where they have "sighted" them. The maps show the different locations where these monsters were "sighted."
Werewolf "Sightings"
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