The mythology described during the Middle Ages gave rise to two forms of werewolf folklore in early modern Europe. In one form, the Germanic werewolf became associated with European witchcraft; in the other, the Slavic werewolf (vьlkolakъ) became associated with the revenant or vampire.
In popular legend, a werewolf is a human who can shape-shift into a wolf or a hybrid wolf-human form. In many werewolf stories, this transformation occurs at night, often under the influence of a full moon.
The werewolf is a mythological animal and the subject of many stories throughout the world—and more than a few nightmares.
Folklore often has roots in real events, fears, or unexplained phenomena, and the legend of the werewolf is no exception. From chilling stories in medieval Europe to strange encounters reported in modern times, history is full of accounts that kept the myth alive.
But in some werewolf lore, becoming a werewolf isn't a punishment — it's a gift and a source of power. Stories describe articles of clothing like belts or straps that allow the wearer to become a wolf [source: Historic Mysteries].
The werewolf is a mythological animal and the subject of many stories throughout the world—and more than a few nightmares. Werewolves are, according to some legends, people who morph into vicious, powerful wolves.
The werewolf continues to evolve in modern media, often embodying the tension between civilization and wildness. At its core, the werewolf represents the struggle with our animalistic instincts—rage, lust, and violence.
A werewolf (also known as lycanthrope or wolfman) in folklore is a person who shape-shifts into a Gray Wolf or wolf-like creature, either purposely, by using magic, or after being placed under a curse, often at the time of a full moon.