I Have To Form My Thoughts More Coherently But With The Discussions I’ve Seen On Metaphorical Vs Literal

I have to form my thoughts more coherently but with the discussions i’ve seen on Metaphorical vs Literal physical therianthropy / general nonhumanity, I have always thought it extended to more than just physical identities. But I don’t think it’s talked about enough nor acknowledged nor understood at all. I have a theory that a lot of therians actually identify in a more symbolic or metaphorical way,, whether that is psychological or spiritual or physical or something else, they don’t all identify as a 100% Real, Literal animal, though that doesn’t mean they don’t identify as an animal at all. Identifying symbolically is still identifying, but the experiences between that and more literal identity are different, and I think the distinction is important.

I think it’s the main source of a lot of identity discourse in the community, because we are running on two different types of therianthropy. Neither are wrong, neither are invalid, and neither are “less animal” or have less depth than the other, but there is this incongruence between discussions because of it.

I hope this makes sense, and I hope my observations don’t come off as rude (i’m scared people will misinterpret my words). But I’ve thought about this since forever, and I really think we need to start considering it as a possibility, because then maybe (heavy emphasis on the maybe) this identity will be more understood, and you can only hope for less infighting…

iirc, the definition of therianthropy has never really excluded more metaphorical/symbolic IDs either, it only makes sense that a large portion of the community falls under it. You only have to identify as an ‘animal’, not just a Real, Literal, Scientifically accurate animal (would exclude theriomythics and fictotherians anyways)

-> (additional note: I want to make it clear that I’m not saying i’m excluded from any this either, my dog theriotype comes from grief after all, to deny its existence as partially symbolic/metaphorical would be to deny myself. please don’t interpret this as some “I’m not like other therians” tangent)

More Posts from D0ttcookie and Others

d0ttcookie

4 days ago

minecraft monsters are so fucking funny weve got

zombies which look like the default player character. this has no lore implicatjons

skeletons. inexplicably they carry bows.

spiders that are two metres wide and hiss like snakes (imagine how fucking terrifying this would be in real life)

walking bush that wants nothing more than to explode while standin next to you. also theyre afraid of cats

three metre tall guy with social anxiety so bad they try to kill you if you look at them. also they can teleport

really sad ghost

zombies 2: underwater edition

spiders again but now they poison you

fish that kills you with a mind beam

28K notes View Post

d0ttcookie

1 week ago

The magpie who fishes stars

57K notes View Post

d0ttcookie

4 days ago

MAN THIS QUADROBICS SHIT IS HARD

i've been improving at walking by pacing around my room, and can even hop a little bit. so i decided to get brave today and found a trail that i could go to to practice more. i found a cool little grove where i could walk around and no one could see me because of all the trees and logs.

it was fun, but hoLY FUCK MY ARMS HURT. they nearly gave out on me in the middle of walking. i think i've overdone it...

14 notes View Post

d0ttcookie

3 days ago

people always have a lot of rude things to say about tumblr users, how we're antisocial or what have you, but don't believe a word of it. i personally have noticed a lot of people on this website are actually deeply involved in their campus greek life and i applaud them!! i don't personally know much about Theta Delta but they seem like a very positive force in students' lives, and very committed to inclusivity <3

274 notes View Post

d0ttcookie

3 days ago

in preparation for this pride month i need all of you to finally learn that ace is NOT aromantic and learn the fucking difference i am so fucking sick and tired of people saying "x character is uninterested in romance, theyre ace :)" NO THEYRE NOT!!! THEYRE AROMANTIC!!!!!!!!!! THATS NOT WHAT ASEXUAL MEANS!!!!!!!!!!!

236 notes View Post

d0ttcookie

1 week ago

As a romo-repulsed, getting perceived as romantically desiring feels like a straight up assault to my rights huh??

5 notes View Post

d0ttcookie

1 week ago

It's hard being a single mom of four to eight kids (she's bad at math)

Also self imposed design challenge to design an infant rodent that doesn't look like eraserhead baby

76K notes View Post

d0ttcookie

1 week ago

Luis Xertu (Mexican, 1985) - Tree with Cats (2024)

12K notes View Post

d0ttcookie

1 week ago

cats in dollhouses

2K notes View Post

d0ttcookie

4 days ago

aro culture is being in a semi-qpr with your aro best friend. we've talked about it before and the general conclusion is this: were not in a qpr, but were not-not in one either. honestly it just depends on what works best for the bit lol. get weird with it!!!!

yes! get weird with it!

52 notes View Post