Werewolf

The word werewolf is most likely derived from two old-Saxon words, wer (meaning man) and wolf. Frequently the Greek terms Lycanthropy refers to the transformation process while Lycanthrope, which is in fact synonymous to werewolf, is the afflicted person. The popular definition of werewolf or lycanthrope is a man who transforms himself or being transformed into a wolf under the influence of full moon.

During middle ages, especially the 15th to 17th century, Europe was under the dark shadow of ignorance and superstitions. The first recorded werewolf sighting took place around the countryside of German town Colongne and Bedburg in 1591. Some villagers cornered a large wolf and set their dogs on it. They tried to pierce it with sharp sticks. The ferocious wolf did not run away or try to protect itself, rather it stood up and turned out to be a middle-aged man he was Peter Stubbe from the same village. Stubbe was put on a torture wheel where he confessed sixteen murders. He started practicing sorcery when he was12 and was so obsessed with it that even tried to make a pact with the Devil. Wearing a magic girdle he started to attack his enemies. After several months, he would take the desguise of a wolf and continue with his evil acts. In the wolf form he used to tear up victims’ throats and suck warm blood from veins. Gradually his thirst for blood grew and he roamed around fields in search of prey.

Some people during middle ages believed that the werewolf was the projection of a demon, which made its victims appear as a wolf in his own eyes and to those around him.

Many werewolves are supposedly immune to damage caused by ordinary weapons, being vulnerable only to silver objects (a bullet or blade). This negative reaction to silver is sometimes so strong that the mere touch of the metal on a werewolf's skin will cause burns. Current werewolf fiction involves lycanthropy being either a hereditary condition or being transmitted like a disease by the bite of another werewolf.

The history of the werewolf can be traced back to Greek mythology, when the god Lykaon was turned into a wolf after serving Zues human flesh. This myth helped fuel a cult in Arcadia which involved human sacrifice and the thought of transformation into wolves. Although lycanthropy is usually associated with the metamorphosis into a wolf-human hybrid, different legends include the mutation into bears, cats and birds of prey.

The encyclopedia says that Werewolves, also known as lycanthropes, are mythological or folkloric humans with the ability to shapeshift into wolves or wolf-like creatures, either purposely, being bitten by another werewolf or after being placed under a curse. This transformation is often associated with the appearance of the full moon.

Werewolves were said to bear tell-tale traits in European folklore. These included the meeting of both eyebrows at the bridge of the nose, curved fingernails, low set ears and a swinging stride. One method of identifying a werewolf in its human form was to cut the flesh of the accused, under the pretense that fur would be seen within the wound.