Furies are real all about them. Furry in Russia: combining the best qualities of man and beast

There are many different subcultures in the world. They include people who differ in their behavior and appearance from the majority. In an effort to stand out from the crowd, they are looking for like-minded people. This is how subcultures are created.

Examples of subcultures

• Musical - these movements are associated with certain areas of music. For example, hippies were fans of rock music with long hair and pacifist looks.
• Internet communities - associated with the emergence of new technologies. Their number is constantly increasing.
• Sports - attract fans of various sports, such as football, into their ranks.
• Art subcultures - come from a passion for any kind of art besides music. A prime example is the role-playing movement, which is closely related to science fiction and fantasy. Animation in Japan has spawned otaku, whose members are passionate about pop music, manga, anime, dramas and more.

In Russia, as well as throughout the world, the furry movement has recently spread. Who is this? We learn from the article.

Furry community

Translated from English "furry" means "fluffy". This name is due to the fact that representatives of this subculture are carried away by anthropomorphic animals. Basically, human habits are attributed to predators and rodents, whose bodies are covered with fluffy fur. For example, foxes, rats, cheetahs, lions, wolves. Because of this, they began to be called "fluffy" in English-speaking countries.

A feature of the community is that people strive to embody the image of an anthropomorphic beast in themselves or in their work. Many identify with the chosen character.

Anthropomorphic animals are representatives of fairy-tale characters that combine the vivid qualities of an animal and a person. They behave like people.

Who is considered a furry

The subculture unites those who identify with anthropomorphic creatures, and those who create images of their favorite characters. Among them, contradictions may arise regarding belonging to one subculture. Sometimes they don't recognize each other at all. However, it is worth considering in more detail who the community in question unites.

Furries (subculture) include:

• Admirers of works of art and animation featuring anthropomorphic animals. For example, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", "The Lion King", "Gummy Bears", the novel "Redwall" by B. Jakes.
• Artists who love to paint fictional characters. They also produce furry art.
• People who perceive themselves as characters in animation and art.

A member of a subculture can have one or all of the qualities listed above. In any case, it can be classified as "fluffy".

History of origin

The community is believed to have originated in the United States in the 1980s. Today furry (subculture) exists in many countries of the world, including England, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, Russia. In different countries, the number of representatives of "furry" is different. For example, in the United States there are more than 100 thousand people.

The emergence of the subculture is associated with a fascination with animated films, in which the heroes are presented in the form of anthropomorphic animals. For example, Disney's Robin Hood is created in the form of a cunning fox.

The community has become widespread thanks to the worldwide Internet. Fans and like-minded people can communicate, share creativity, make appointments, create thematic sites.

Furry creativity

Fans of this trend are fond of various types of creativity, with the help of which they embody the idea of ​​unity with nature and their favorite character. There are many artists, scriptwriters, illustrators, sculptors, musicians, and writers among them.

Not everyone has the same skill level, so beginners tend to purchase as many of these products as possible. Furry comics, dolls, pictures are very popular.

Among the works of this direction, there are also works of a military orientation. Furry militarism, who live in a world of wars and apocalypse, are very popular among them.

Representatives of this subculture distribute their works on special sites. Very often they are not inferior to professional publications.

Furry costumes

To achieve perfection, you must completely reincarnate into your favorite anthropomorphic animal. For this, special costumes are sewn, which are called fursuit.

In many countries, furries use their costumes in everyday life. They wear them for walks, ride motorcycles, play basketball. Many of them perform at children's events, entertaining everyone present.

In different cities, meetings of representatives of one community are held, they are called furrencies. Everyone is having fun, getting to know each other, participating in costume and drawing contests.

How furries maintain their outfit without a suit

Most "furry" do not seek to stand out from the crowd in their daily life. They don't wear a suit to work or school. However, even without it, many maintain their image. To do this, it is enough to apply one of the methods:

• change the hairstyle - when the ends of the hair are discolored, the image will resemble a fox;
• make-up - will allow you to emphasize the necessary details in the form of large eyes, an animal nose, a cat's whiskers;
• details of clothing in the form of a tail, ears, paws will add realism to the image.

For more realism, the tail can not only be pinned to the clothes, but passed through a small hole in the pants or skirt. Although most often it is hung on a belt. What to use in order to match your anthropomorphic hero, each furry decides separately.

Subculture in Russia

In our country, this direction is not yet very popular. Furry (subculture) direction is just beginning to gain momentum in Russia. There are only a few thousand of those who consider themselves part of the community. Well, there are only a few of them who wear special suits.

Unlike the United States, the furry movement in Russia originated from an internal attitude. Its adherents believe that the path to perfection lies through the combination of the best qualities of an animal and a person. The connection must take place both in the soul and in the body.

They show their aspirations in creativity (furry art). Many of them write poems, sing songs, draw ideal characters.

Meetings of Russian-speaking furries began to be held in Russia since 2001. You can often hear how they are called "russfurrencies".

What furry representatives think of themselves

All furries have different attitudes towards their hobby. For some it is a way of life, for others it is a game.

Here are some basic postulates:

• Furry is the meaning of life, in which you feel an inextricable connection with nature. In the image of the beast (real or mythical) there is a sense of harmony with nature.
• This is a common game. The same as paintball. For war games, people dress up in camouflage, take weapons and hide with them in bushes and buildings. However, they are not soldiers, and furries are not animals. They play something out of the ordinary to get to know themselves from an unknown side.
• Furry is a state of mind in which the shackles of everyday life are torn off. A person has the opportunity to show all his positive qualities, complementing them with the characteristics of the beast. All this is embodied in works of art and in art.
• Many are attracted by nature and the sense of tranquility that it gives. It is better to sit alone in the form of your beloved cat than to crowd among the masses of people at a disco.

Furry(eng. Furry - furry) is a fandom. A community of people who are connoisseurs of anthropomorphic (humanized) animals and the idea of ​​anthropomorphism in general. In English, the spelling of this word in the plural is slightly different: "Furries"... Also, the term "furry" is usually called both anthropomorphic animals (characters), and the members of the fandom themselves. This ambiguity of the term introduces a fair amount of confusion already at the initial stages of acquaintance with the concept of furry fandom.

I will not describe much what a global furry hyperfand is, but I will simply introduce you to the course through the description of the basic terms. Most likely, if you have come to our site, then you are already familiar with the concept of "Furry" and are now looking for "friends of your own". Such an unusual presentation of the description should nicely complement your idea of ​​furry fandom and the Furry Culture microfandom, even if you are no longer a beginner.

Fandom

[eng. Fandom]- an association of fans, the name of any informal subcultural communities whose members are united by a common interest or hobby - an addiction to a particular genre in art, film, work, writer, etc. Furry fandom combines interest in anthropomorphic animals and the corresponding genre in creativity (anthro).

Community

[eng. Community]- literally "community". Used as an analogue of the word "fandom" in the Russian-speaking furry fandom.

Furry or fluffiness

This is involvement in a furry fandom or a set of properties characteristic of a furry character, or a set of properties characteristic of a fandom member. You can understand it in different ways, but in fact, it means "belonging to the furry", in one sense or another.

Furry, like fandom

(Fluffy, Fuzzies) - in some cases, the words "Furry" and "Furry" mean the furry fandom itself - a community of fans of anthropomorphic animals. To avoid confusion, use the words "fandom", "community", "subculture", "community".

Furry, as a fandom member

(furry, furrick, fluffy, fluffy) - in some cases, the words "furry" and "furry" mean members of the furry fandom. To avoid confusion, use specific terms. "This fox, wolf, cat, etc.", depending on the participant's fursons or simply called - "Community / fandom member"... The term is very rarely used "Furrian (s)" in view of his low fame. There are many different criteria by which a person can be identified as a member of a furry fandom. We also have our own set of criteria for determining furry as a participant. Read more about this in the article: Worldview.

Furry, as a character

Furry character

Furry fox character (our mascot)

Persian, Furchar, Char [eng. Character, furchar, char]- a kind of unique furry character, whose image is used for implementation in creativity. For example, drawing furry art or creating staff figures. According to the idea of ​​anthropomorphism, furry characters must necessarily combine the features of an animal and a person. However, not all anthropomorphic characters can be called furries (Why?).

Furson

Personal character, Official character, OC [eng. Furson, official character]- as a rule, these are also furry characters, invented by the community, but unlike simple characters created "in addition to something", these characters personify their author (or owner, if he ordered the development of fursons). As a rule, fursona expresses the inner "I" of its owner and serves as an avatar character at various events.

Pokeson, ponison, tlkson

[eng. Pokesona, ponysona, tlksona, etc.]- the same as furson, only refer to adjacent fandoms (Pokemon, MLP, TLK, etc.). Some of the characters are anthropomorphic (anatomically human-like) and may be furry fandom, while some are not. In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Mascot

[eng. Mascot]- literally "character-talisman" representing some kind of activity, team, community or organization. Most often, mascots represent organizations and their products. In ancient times, mascots were believed to bring good luck and wealth to their owners. Mascots in the form of anthropomorphic animals can refer to furries. In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Fursuit

Anthropomorphic Fox Fursuit

Suite [eng. Fursuit, suit]- full-length suit of an anthropomorphic (humanoid, upright) animal. Such costumes are worn by fandom members in order to better get used to the role of their fursona, to feel like furry to a greater extent, to enjoy interacting with other fursuiters (people who practice fursuit wearing). Wearing a fursuit in public is called "fursuit" .

Quadsuit

[eng. Quadsuit]- full-length suit of an ordinary four-legged animal, or quada. Both terms are derived from the word "quattuor" (four), implying the quadruped base of anatomy. This phenomenon does not apply to furry fandom, due to its specifics (Why?).

Tavrsyut

[eng. Taursuit]- full-length costume of a taurid animal. The term comes from the word "Tauros" (hoofed, bull, horse), implying a four-legged base of anatomy, combined with a humanoid torso. In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furry fandom, due to the specifics (Why?).

Coats, fur-jackets, furhead

This is a subcultural slang denoting individual parts of a suit (fursuit).

Art

Your art could be here 😉

Furry art, Anthro art and etc. [eng. Art]- literally "art", artwork, especially drawings, the theme of which is anthropomorphic (humanized) animals. Usually furry art refers to works created within and for the furry fandom or recognized by them as their own. Less commonly, any works containing anthropomorphic animals are called this way, using the term anthro-art. Creating and discussing furry art is one of the main activities in fandom and the most basic part of the online part of it. In some cases, art can be mistakenly considered a furry fandom (Why?).

Staff, craft

Craft: anthropomorphic otter figurine

[eng. Stuff, kraft]- words denoting various things associated with certain works and characters. For example, a mug with a Zootopia character painted on it and a plastic figure of Sonic. Separately, the word "craft" can be used as a verb - to denote the production process of all kinds of handicrafts and handicrafts.

Bun

Bun: knitted bunny

[eng. Plushie]- a popular term among Russian-speaking participants in the subculture, meaning a stuffed animal toy. Usually such toys are simply collected and shown to friends, and large enough buns are suitable for hugs. Some people order buns from furry workshops in the form of their fursons. Less often, buns are affectionately called fursuits or fursuits themselves, in the process of wearing a fursuit. This introduces a bit of confusion.

Badge

Badges of the participants of the conference

Badge [eng. Badge]- a card of a participant in any massive furry event like a conference. Serves to identify the participant - a nickname is written on the badge and usually the participant's furson is depicted. The badge is worn on the chest, attaching it to clothes or hanging over the head if it is on a string. Some people make badges from miniature displays, create "flat" figures of characters from polymer clay, or print them on a 3D printer. The badge can be in the form of a card, a stencil character (sticker), an icon (glyph), a three-dimensional figure, and even just in the form the displayed image on a smartphone or tablet hanging around your neck.

Furmite, furry meeting, gathering

Your photo can be here 😉

[eng. Furmeet]- a live meeting of a small group of furries. Furmites are regular and spontaneous. The often popular furry with more than 100 furries, in which the program of events and trade appears, turns into a confusion. An ordinary lance takes place as a meeting of friends: food, watching a movie (both furry and regular), role-playing, board and video games. Sometimes we just get together at a local cafe to sit together. For many, funny and interesting meetings are one of the main components of furry hobby.

Furrence or Confurence

Your photo can be here 😉

Convention, Con, Furka [eng. Confurence]- an organized regular cultural and entertainment event for furry fandom members. There are various branches of this event, for example EuroFurentia or RusFurencia. As a rule, the participants meet and settle in a certain public living space, in which the organizers arrange various events, performances, and competitions. This makes it possible for the furries to get together, relax, exchange opinions, take part in entertainment events in an atmosphere similar to the furry theme. The cultural part of the conference includes presentations, competitions, workshops, discussions of graphics, fiction and other art, the theme of which is anthropomorphic characters. As a rule, exhibitions of works by professional and emerging artists are held.

Furry event

[eng. Furry-event]- a certain separate event, an event associated with furries. Events are often called events that are held by the participants of the conference, and not by the official organizers (active games, performances, etc.).

Fur camp, furry camp

(-hike, -tourism, -camping and others) - a meeting of furries, taking place in nature: in tents, trailers or houses. This also includes ski tourism. Such events are mainly held in summer and in suitable climates. Furry Camp has no problems with accommodation - participants are expected to provide their own accommodation and food on their own. The main concern of the organizers is the safe and conflict-free rest of the furries in an informal setting.

Furryatnik or Furdom

[eng. Furry house] is a private home known as a habitat for a large number of furries or as a venue for furry meetings and events. Furries often visit here, or several furries live (usually from other cities). Furry Homes continue the Sci-Fi Homes concept.

Furrist

[eng. Furrist]- In narrow circles, it is customary to call people who are interested in the topic of furry or who carry out some kind of regular interaction with the subculture, but at the same time deny their involvement in the furry fandom (or who do not fit the definition of a furry participant). This phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Biofur

[eng. Biofur]- a member of the furry community, interested in modifying his body in order to become biologically closer to his furson. Ideally, this is a complete transformation into a chosen look, with fur, tail, animal senses and other features that the furry considers necessary. It is not known whether this will be possible in the future, but the current level of technology does not yet allow this to be realized either aesthetically or rationally. Why?).

FiPav, FiPav, fi-paw

[eng. PhiPaw]- "furry identifier", a symbol used by members of a furry fandom, implicitly letting others know about their belonging to the fandom. Looks like a “φ” (“Phi”) character surrounded by paw prints to form an overall graphic. Initially, it was customary to use elements of a wolf's paw, but later some participants began to use the paws of other creatures: foxes, cats, raccoons, various herpes, etc. You can use the furry fandom symbol, for example, by wearing a badge on a bag or a print on a T-shirt. Among the old-timers, a simplified version is often used (just "φ", without toes).

Furry code (furcode)

[from English. Furry code, furcode]- there is a tendency in narrow circles to encrypt their basic data related to furry fandom. Through a special program, after passing the survey, the participant receives a certain code in which the basic information is encrypted. Fourcode is used for a compact presentation of information about oneself, which will only be understood by the furry. Fourcode was created by Ross Smith in 1996 and has not been updated since 1998 (hence some categories are obsolete). We've developed our own furcode if you're interested.

Furotika

Furotic with hybrid furry characters

[eng. Furotica]- the combination of the words "furry" and "erotica". This word naturally arises when discussing erotic content. It can be synonymous with Yiff, but it can denote a “sublime” direction in its genre, or even oppose it: in the discussion of art, there is a difference between erotica and pornography, although different sources define it differently. First of all, furotika should carry a cultural value, both for furry fandom and for the visual arts in general. Furotika is presented as a kind of ennobled phenomenon, as a spiritual attraction of the instinct of procreation, focusing on the perfection of forms and relationships.

Yiff

[eng. Yiff]- the general name for all types of pornography involving anthropomorphic animals. The main difference between yiff art and furotika is the focus on the image of frankly sexy scenes. Pornography is fixed on the descriptions of sexual organs, sexual acts and does not carry any cultural value, but instead serves as a means of satisfying sex. Later, the term was overgrown with additional meanings, such as: "sex", "sexual", "excited". For example, the expression "yiffy" means "lustful" or "exciting". If you are distributing yiff art, we strongly recommend that you stop using tags. #furry and #furry in their posts so as not to aggravate the reputation of the entire furry fandom with their search spam. This recommendation has been around since 1990, but most yiffers ignore it. Historically, before the intervention of the Yiffers, the word "yiff" meant joyful"Hello" (in artificial Foxen).

Yiffer

[eng. Yiffer] is an ero-furrist, so to speak, a hyperfandom member who, throughout the fandom, emphasizes pornography as the main value. His basic The motivation for staying "close" to the furry subculture is the interest in erotic creativity, as well as the potential opportunity to find a sexual partner. Such motivators encourage yiffers to actively spread yiff art and fight for the dominance of erotic content in furry fandom, belittling all other creativity and ridiculing art lovers (in the event that art does not generate income). Yifferm is tolerated in furry fandom, mainly due to the fact that yiffers stimulate the economic component of fandom. However, our community ("Furry Culture") does not consider the Yiffers to be full-fledged furries and classifies them as furries, and what is more, they are quite destructive (Why?).

Klinfur, wedge-art

Your art could be here 😉

[eng. Cleanfur, clean-art]- this word formation from "clean" and "art", and the abbreviation "cleanfur" can be translated as "clean fur". These phrases were coined as search hashtags when the amount of yiff content in hyperfandom reached its limit and it became difficult to find good content of neutral content. These hashtags help you to find mostly only cultural furry content.

Unfortunately, nowadays commercialization of fandom is pushing "pure content" aside and in order to preserve it, it is necessary to create separate narrow-theme communities (for example, such as "Furry Culture"). Some of these communities that distribute "pure" art use phrases cleanfur and clean-art among hashtags, as well as in the names of their Internet resources and galleries, in the struggle for the "purity" of the furry fandom.

Furspitch

[eng. Furspeech, furspeak]- literally "fluffy speech". A generic word for colloquial slang within furry fandom (and some related subcultures). This includes fandom terms, well-established expressions, and species terminology. When furspitch is used too much, making speech incomprehensible even for other furries, it usually causes disapproval (and we do not recommend you to abuse it).

Furry species terms (and not so)

Anthropomorphism

A classic example of zooanthropomorphic furry anatomy

(anthropomorphic, anthropomorphic) [eng. Anthropomorphism, anthropomorph]- comes from the words "person" and "form". The idea of ​​anthropomorphism is the endowment of animals, objects and phenomena with human traits, such as the ability to speak. In the furry community anthropomorphic simplistically, it is precisely the beast-like creature endowed with human qualities that is called, but this does not mean that any anthropomorph necessarily bestial or belongs to the furry. If we talk about furry characters, then it would be more correct to name them "Zooanthropomorphs" , and the very idea that unites furry fandom - "Zooanthropomorphism" ... But it's too long and complicated, just like "Anthropomorphic animal"- therefore, furry characters are often just called furries... This is a key concept in furry fandom. Anthropomorphs created within furry fandom are often a collection of the best from an animal (visual acuity, hearing, smell, touch, fluffiness, external signs of an animal of a particular species) and a person (upright posture, facial expressions, details of anatomy, the ability to think, various sublime social aspects, etc.). Characters with an "excessive degree of anthropomorphism" do not belong to furries, due to their specificity (Why?).

Complete anthropomorph

Your art could be here 😉

Speaking about the idea of ​​anthropomorphism, we inevitably come across such a concept as "Degree of morphism", literally meaning the following: “How much the first object or subject is similar to the second” (how much an animal is similar to a person - in the case of anthropomorphism). Full, 100% anthropomorph is normal Human... The same thing happens with other terms like "full zoomorph" or "full inanimorph". Phenomenon "Complete anthropomorphs", "Complete zoomorphs" and other characters with an "excessive degree of morphism" are not considered furries, due to their specificity (Why?).

Zoomorphism

Zoomorphic white tiger

(zoomorphic, zoomorphic) [eng. Zoomorphism, zoomorph]- comes from the words "animal" and "form". The principle of the idea is the same as in anthropomorphism, only the goal of morphism is an animal, not a person. Zoomorphic character ( zoomorph ), or the feral form ( feral ), four-legged , quadruped (quad ) - various designations of a character with animal anatomy. Most of the characters correspond to one of two schemes: either a bipedal character with the proportions of a human body (anthropomorph), or a character that predominantly repeats the proportions of the body and the mode of movement of the prototype species (zoomorph). Characters with an “excessive degree of zoomorphicity” do not belong to furries, due to their specificity (Why?).

Xenomorphism

Anthropogenic xenomorph based on the movie "Alien"

(xenomorphic, xenomorphic) [eng. Xenomorphism, xenomorph]- comes from the words "alien" and "form". In furry fandom, the word "Xenomorph" used in different meanings:

• Furry alien or furry character based on an alien animal. In fantasy, this role can be played by creatures and characters from other dimensions.
• Character in the area of ​​interest xenophilia- addiction to the alien. This is how the hyperfandom participants who are fond of non-human characters in general sometimes indicate their interest. Most often they do not belong to the furry fandom, due to their specifics (Why?).
• The scientific name of the titular race from the series of sci-fi films about "Aliens" ("Alien"). Usually they do not belong to the furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Characters with an "excessive degree of xenomorphism" also do not belong to furries, due to their specificity (Why?).

Mixanthropism

Mixanthrope: variant of the faun

(mixanthropomorphic, mixanthropic) [eng. Mixantropism, mixantrop]- comes from the words "mixed" and "human". In hyperfandom "Mixanthropes" it is customary to call characters that combine the features of a person and an animal, while contrastingly combined with each other ( centaurs, mermaids, satire). Most often, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Polymorphism

(polymorphic, polymorph) [eng. Polymorphism, polymorph]- comes from the words "many" and "form". a creature capable of assuming several, usually more than two, forms. Some polymorphs are capable of taking any shape or even inventing new ones on the fly. Sometimes a polymorph is called a creature that can change shape if its nature is sci-fi (and not fantasy, otherwise we are talking about werewolf). Typically, one of the forms is natural or basic (often a birth form). But even polymorphs, not limited in the number of forms, usually have favorites, which are used more often than others. In some furry communities, the word "polymorph" can be used in a negative way in relation to a participant who often "edits" his furson or completely changes the look / gender of his character. Most often, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Inanimorphism

Inanimorphic aircraft (can also be called technomorphic)

(inanimorphic, inanimorphic) [eng. Inanimorphism, inanimorph]- comes from the words "inanimate" and "form". A creature made of inanimate matter or whose body is an inanimate object. As a rule, inanimorphs do not have internal mechanics that would explain their mobility, and if the nature of the "creature" is indicated, then usually these are magical or otherworldly forces. Such characters can be cars, toys, buildings, planets, even a glass of water - any inanimate objects. This phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Cyber ​​furry (kifurri), anthroid

Cyber ​​Furry - Possibly Technomorph

[eng. Cyber ​​furry, cyfurry, cyfurries, anthroid]- robotic furry character. It can be an artificially created creature that looks like a living or a "living" character, but with cybernetic implants (or permanently wearing a cyber suit). A purely mechanical character is called "Technomorph"... In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furry fandom, due to the specifics (Why?).

Gidzinka

[Jap. 擬 人 化] is a Japanese word for anthropomorphic characters. Usually used in relation to characters drawn in the style manga or anime... Gidzinka is often understood narrowly: as a human character based on an animal or a monster... However, "hijinka" can indicate any type of anthropomorphic character, that is, giving any human features to any creature, object or idea. In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Mythological creature

Mythological creature: white dragon

It is a character, race, or species derived from or inspired by mythology. Popular mythological species include dragons, griffins, unicorns, centaurs, werewolves (and other werewolves), kitsune, etc. Also, this term can denote a certain deity from legends and tales. Mythology became the basis of the fantasy genre and influenced the development of science fiction in general. Ancient man spiritualized animals, plants, phenomena and the surrounding nature. In his mythological ideas, many anthropomorphic characters and races arose: from dragons before psoglavtsev, from Bayun's cat to the guardian of the dead Anubis, from mermaids before World Serpent... Many works and images furry originate from mythological creatures, while not directly related to modern furries. In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furry fandom, due to the specifics (Why?).

Fictional views

Fictional: sergal

These are races and species that are not animals of the real world. Creatures whose images were invented by their author and do not have a real, living prototype. Most often, such characters are obtained as a result combinatorics... Examples of fictional species include: sergals, dragons, hydras, wemics, scorrows, etc. In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Feral

Your art could be here 😉

[eng. Feral]- the term implies that this is either an intelligent (with a consciousness similar to a human) character, but with the anatomy of an ordinary animal, or a bestial (zoomorphic) form of a werewolf. Most often, this term refers to an intelligent zoomorphic character. Less commonly, this term means quada(a four-legged character), combining anthropomorphic forelimbs, but predominantly moving "On knees"... In most cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Taurus

Example of a tauric character: Bannitaur

[eng. Taur]- a creature with a humanoid torso connected to the body of a zoomorphic beast, similarly centaur... The humanoid part can be anthropomorphic, beasthead, human with light animal features, or simply human. In hyperfandom, brands are usually called characters that combine "Zooanthropomorphic humanoid part" and "Zoomorphic body of the beast"... In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Quadruped (quad)

Your art could be here 😉

[eng. Quadruped]- comes from the word "four-legged". This aptly describes the zoomorphic characters who, in their original form, do indeed have four legs, however, this term does not apply to zoomorphic birds, snakes and other species with a different anatomy. This phenomenon does not apply to furry fandom, due to its specifics (Why?).

Hybrid character (hybrid)

Your art could be here 😉

[eng. Hybrid character]- a creature that combines the characteristics of several species of animals. Hybridity is popular in furry fandom and is especially useful when you want to express sympathy for several different animals in one character. Many hybrid creatures also come from mythology. Since anthropomorphic animals are the central characters of furry culture, anthropomorphs with the characteristics of one animal species are usually not called hybrids. A creature with mosaic features of different species, such as griffins or sphinxes are called chimera... Descendant of parents of different species or breeds may be named half-breed, mestizo or a cross between... Depending on the culture the character is in, these words can even have a negative connotation. In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Insectoid or insectomorph

Anthropomorphic insectoids

[lat. Insécta eng. Insectoid, Insectomorph]- a creature that has signs of an insect (beetle, ant, butterfly, etc.). Despite the fact that the word comes from lat. "Notches", so characteristic of beetles, the term implies the specific features of any insects. In furry fandom, insectoids are commonly referred to as zooanthropomorphic insects (abbreviation). Also insectoids are often confused with xenomorphs, depending on the degree of morphism... In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Microfurry / Macrofurry

Your art could be here 😉

(micro / macro) [eng. Microfurry (ies), macrofurry (ies)]- furry characters of non-standard sizes (from birth or have undergone a change at some point in life). Specifically microfurry, this is not a small animal, but a small furson. For example, not a squirrel, but a fox the size of a squirrel. Macrofurry can be either slightly larger than people, for example, under three meters tall, or titanic in size, comparable to a building, mountain or planet. In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furry fandom, due to the specifics (Why?). For example, there is a similar genre "hyperfurry", which is a veiled fetish and is related to the work of the Yiffers, but not to the furry fandom.

Multifurry or multimorph

Dragon and brand based multimorph

[eng. Multifurry (ies), multimorph]- characters with more than usual number of body parts, as well as the genre of creativity about them. Most often the tails are "multiplied", but sometimes also the legs, arms, heads, wings. As a rule, ordinary brands are not considered multifurries, because they are a combination of two different bodies. but Hextra(with eight limbs) and others many-legged are considered. Many mythological creatures are multifurms. FC uses the term more often "Multimorph" instead of multifurry... In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furry fandom, due to the specifics (Why?).

Sparkldog

[eng. Sparkledog]- comes from the words "sparkling dog". Grotesque a character (usually a dog or a wolf) with unnatural, variegated or rainbow colors, often with an abundance of accessories such as piercings, tattoos, flares, bandanas and collars, possibly with wings or other unusual body parts. Sparkldogs are almost always zoomorphs and are often fursons. In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to the specifics (Why?).

Cartoon

One of the options for the cartoon style

This word was invented in the 1990s to translate works such as "Adventures of Toon" (Tiny Toon Adventures), etc. It acts as an analogue of the English word "Toon", which in these cartoons designate drawn characters in the image and likeness of American cartoons golden age... Unlike old characters, heroes of such cartoons know about their invulnerability and rules "Cartoon physics"... The properties of these characters, which distinguish them from most realistic cartoons, from the heroes of children's literature and other works, were called cartoony and the corresponding graphic style is cartoonish . Toon-characters can not be killed by almost any means. It is known for certain that toon-character you can only kill some kind of special mixture ("Who Framed Roger Rabbit"), oblivion(as shown in one of the episodes "Tiny Toon Adventures"), or directly by the actions of the author.

Herp

Your art could be here 😉

[eng. Herp]- from the Greek "herpeton" ("creeping animal"). Anthropomorphic character based on reptiles or amphibian as well as a fan of such characters. The concept of "herp" can include dragons and other fantastic creatures that have the characteristics of amphibians or reptiles. Proponents of this word consider it more accurate to refer to these types of characters than "furry" and "scaly", but this term is extremely little known and almost never used in hyperfandom. In some cases, this phenomenon does not apply to furry fandom, due to the specifics (Why?).

Chibi or chibik

Chibik furry character

[eng. Chibi]- the style that came to furry from anime and manga... In it, the characters tend to be portrayed as exaggeratedly cute, with underlined or hypertrophied childish features. Usually the head of a chibi is about one third of the whole figure... Chibi characters are called chibikas. In Japanese, the word Chibi denotes a small person or child. Close to Russian words "Shorty", "dwarf", "Midget"(this can be humiliating to younger or smaller people).

Monster

[lat. Monstrum]- literally "Fictional creature"... The exact meaning of a word depends on the context:

• Classic definition: Monster, scary fictional creature, especially monsters from horror movies.
• Game definition: Virtual creatures designed to be destroyed by the main character of the game on the way to victory or in order to improve characteristics. In early RPGs, these monsters were often dragons, trolls, gnolls, kobolds and other creatures that were previously considered dangerous and causing fear or disgust. However, in our time, monsters can, on the contrary, be friendly or even playable for them, and creatures that do not cause fear or disgust can act as "extermination material".
• Another game definition: Creatures that are neither humans nor animals. This definition originated in the genre MonsterRPG starting with the games of the universe Pokemon... Such monsters are attractive and can be cute in the conventional sense of the word. The original idea "Pokemon" there was a humane attitude towards the monsters who were killed in other games.
• Our definition: A creature that is neither human nor animal, yet not amenable to precise classification (not having a term to denote a group of creatures).

In the most frequently used context, this phenomenon does not apply to furries, due to its specifics (Why?).

Furry expressions (and not so much)

"Male" / "female"

Expressions that have some popularity in furry fandom for denoting gender, both character and participants. Some people use these words instead "the male" and "female", so do not rush to be offended if they call you that.

« Furr "/" Furrka "

Less commonly used as the equivalent of the words "male" and "female". They also serve to indicate the gender of a character or participant in furry fandom. The female version of "furrka" is almost never used in this meaning, since often confused with the abbreviation for furrentia (a popular class of furry events).

"Muzzle"

[eng. Muzzle]- is sometimes used instead of the word "face". May be derogatory in some context. Sometimes the phrase "this muzzle" can mean "this participant", "this character". The latter is rarely used.

"Human"

[eng. Human]- the word "human" (or from the English trans. "human") - often found in furry fandom designation of any person who is not a member of furry fandom. This word has a slightly dismissive, negative connotation when used to describe a real person.

"Reverse furry"

This is a joke or ironic term for an interest like furry, but somewhat opposite. For instance:

• An anthropomorphic animal that wants to become a human.
• Furry character who is fond of people.
• A furry fan who is fond of anthro characters that look more like humans.
• The "human character" of the reverse furry is called "Reverse furson", "Humsonoy" or in other words, formed with these roots and ending -sona.

"Gray Face", "Gray Face" or "Gray Mane"

[eng. Greymuzzle]- a respectful appeal to the "old-timers" of furry fandom. The word "muzzle" is not derogatory in this context. Currently, this appeal is used either in relation to persons who have spent a certain time in the fandom (5, 10 or 15 years), or in relation to persons of a certain age (30, 40, 45 or 50), according to subjective perceptions. There is no generally accepted canonical criterion for determining this status yet.

Furry Culture offers its own (also subjective) aggregate evaluation criteria:

• The participant must be a member of the furry fandom for over 10 years.
• Must be over the age of 30.
• Meet the definition of "furry as a participant" according to Furry Culture.
• Have a basic understanding of important aspects and popular trends in fandom.

"Popfurr"

[eng. Popufur]- furries that are widely known among the furry community. Sometimes they are also known outside of it. As a rule, participants in the subculture become popular who have talents valued in the hyperfandom, who stand out and are noticeable or simply achieved fame through extravagant acts or open self-promotion. Sometimes it is not the participants themselves that become popular, but their fursons or fursuits. Sometimes the term is used in a negative sense, indicating that a certain famous furry treats others downright, often even to his fans and to the fandom in general. Less often, this term is used, condemning the author for the "conveyor" creativity ( consumer goods, pop music).

"People in Fursuits"

[eng. Humans in fursuits]- comes from the expression "people in masks". Denoting furry characters, furry fandom members, or specifically fursuiters who behave just like people... Usually this expression is judgmental, indicating that at least some of the animal's behavioral traits are preferable, and not just the corresponding appearance / furson.

"Tail slot"

Your art could be here 😉

[eng. Tailhole]- a term from vanomics, meaning a special structure of clothing (mainly pants), where there is a cutout for the tail, or a jumper that allows the pants to be held without interfering with the tail. Ordinary human pants for tailed characters would be uncomfortable to wear, so such a structure and the corresponding term was coined.

"Paw doll"

[eng. Pawpet]- the term appeared in the English-speaking segment. Pawpet d donkey means "pet on the paw", consonant with puppet- a puppet controlled doll. This is a furry character doll, worn on hand and used for puppet shows / performances (for example, at children's matinees). This word can also be called any fluffy controlled doll.

"Lapamorda"

[eng. Muzzlepaw]- comes from a meme "Facepalm" ("Facepalm", "Hand face") and has the same meaning as the original meme. Often used in trolling to express disapproval of someone's actions or disappointment. There is also a variant " Facepaw“As more popular in some circles.

"Yifflevy"

The word can mean "lustful", "depraved", less often - "sexy", "exciting" or just "pretty".

"Iyif", "if", "yyf"

Deliberate distortion of the word yiff, often expresses a personal negative or dismissive attitude towards the topic of yiff. Used in the Russian-speaking community.

"Cass"

[eng. Cuss]- the word can mean "curse", "curse", "worthless", "small" in a negative sense, but in fact it is nonsense. All obscene words in the cartoon are replaced with this phrase. "Fantastic Mr. Fox"... Subsequently, this trend has taken root in some furry forums and chats. The English version is more often used.

Slangs ("Purr")

"Fursonal", "Lapodisments", "Paw shake" and etc. [eng. Purrfect, Fursonal, etc.]- “Great”, “personal”, “applause”, “handshake” and other combined words. Some of them are immediately intuitive, and some make it difficult to communicate and understand the interlocutor.

Onomatopoeia ("Myaf / Tyaf")

"Me", "Mav / Tyav", "Myaffki / Tyaffki", "Fyr", Moore, "Rrr", "Ravr", "Agor" and others - onomatopoeic borrowings, which can mean anything, depending on the meaning the author puts into it. Often “myaf” and “tyaf” are used as analogs of “I / me / mine” and “you / you / yours”, as well as for greeting. Usually, these sounds just express emotions, but we recommend not to overuse them in everyday speech - this often leads to misunderstandings. The common use of these words is often frowned upon in furry fandom.

"Yey!", "Yai!", "Yay!" [eng. Yay] is a fandom expression MLP, which, in view of its wide distribution, has become entrenched in furry fandom. Timid "Yey!" it is usually quoted orally, since intonation is not felt in the text. Bronies can use it to express their sincere or discreet joy. This phenomenon does not apply to furry fandom, due to its specifics (Why?).

Trends in the global hyperfandom

Furry art

In furry fandom, the most popular topic for discussion is the work of furry artists, images of drawn characters and plots.

Furry comics

One of the most popular options for presenting furry art (in addition to single drawings) are comics, sometimes consisting of several pages. There are over 1000 pages of furry comics!

Furry artists

These are members of the furry fandom who draw mainly furry characters and support the development of creativity in the subculture, being connoisseurs of art in general.

Anthro-artists

This is the name of the artists who paint not only anthropomorphic animals, but also in the genre of anthropomorphism, in general (i.e. any anthropomorphic creatures). Often, anthro artists do not recognize their involvement in furry fandom, and their drawn furry characters - furry / furry creativity. Furry Culture makes this point clear:

1. Anthro artists are not furries ( members of furry fandom) - that's right. Even if fandom members order work from them and actively interact in other areas (for example, exchange of experience between furry artists and anthro-artists, or joint creativity).
2. If a character fits the definition of a furry character, it's a furry character. Regardless of who draws the furry and for what purpose. Obviously. Therefore, for example, Sergals are hybrid furry characters and are categorized as "fictional species" (alter furries, to be exact), although some may be against such involvement, referring to the lore of the Sergalian comic book universe ...
3. Despite the fact for whom anthro-artists paint furries, if their works get publicly available, they contribute to the development of furry fandom (and grperfandom as well) and bear some (at least moral) responsibility for this ... Therefore, say that anthro artists do not contribute or influence furry fandom is fundamentally wrong.

Role-playing games in chats

(Rolka) [eng. RolePlay, RP] are games in which you create a fictional character and interact with characters from other authors, usually via the Internet. The term "RPG" is usually abbreviated as "RP", especially in chat rooms and forums. This is a co-creation of a story with the participation of two or more personal furson players, in a variety of genres and conditions.

Gatherings, conventions / furrencies

Members of the furry fandom love to meet at special furry events, or arrange massive walks around the city, often in fur suits (fursuit).

Fursuit

[eng. Fursuiting]- in furry fandom, the idea of ​​"getting used" into the image of one's fursons is popular, up to the creation of a fursuit - a special costume of an anthropomorphic animal (one's own fursons). Fursuit literally means "wearing a fursuit", often implying public walks in it around the city or nature. Fursuit is a form of "cosplay" [eng. Cosplay].

Furry studios / workshops, crafters

There is a tendency in furry fandom to organize workshops that produce crafts and, less often, fursuits. Often such workshops are private and consist of one person, but there are even cases of official registration of studios, as a store or enterprise at the state level.

Collecting buns

Some fandom members like to collect stuffed animals in the form of (most often) miniature animals. Usually these are animals of the species that the participant sympathizes with and / or to which his furson belongs (if any). Such toys are often called "buns" in the Russian-speaking community. Also, members of the fandom order "buns" in the workshops in the form of their fursons.

Furry literature, fanfiction

The community values ​​stories that describe various plots of furry characters' adventures. Fanfiction is often published, which is a continuation or alternative history of some other popular work or cartoon, in which furry characters participated. Fanfiction can also be written, for example, based on films that have nothing to do with anthropomorphic animals, but in the story itself, the author replaces all the characters with furries. Currently, there is a decline in interest in literature and its replacement by audiobooks.

Furry animation and cartoons

In furry fandom, cartoons with furry characters are of particular value (for example, Disney's "Robin Hood" or "Zootopia"). Recently, the participants of the furry subculture themselves began to produce fairly high-quality animation, which makes the whole community very happy.

Virtpet

One of the first Tamagotchi

[eng. Virtpet]- the tendency of "courting" virtual cartoon animals in the form of a game. Such games involve the interaction of the player with the "pet" (feed, clean, heal, raise, etc.). Most often in applications on smartphones and in social networks. The ancestors of such games are gaming devices. "Tamagotchi" (Tamagochi).

Computer games with furries

Recently, there are more and more high-quality story games with zooanthropomorphic characters. Some games provide multiplayer modes, which allows participants in the furry fandom to get into the role of their character as much as possible and interact with other furries. Also on the way VR games, which will make it possible to create and manage your own ex-avatar in the form of a personal fursona.

Furry ergonomics (van)

An example of a driver's seat adapted for Tavras

Vanity is very important for furry characters

[eng. Furgonomic]- in simple words, this is a "science" about what everyday objects familiar to a person should be, so that they can be conveniently used by furry characters (do not put on a regular boot on a paw, ordinary headphones will not climb on a fox's ears, etc.). Some furry artists have elements of vanism in their work, various theories and concepts of "alternative" human things adapted to furries.

Furrisophia or Unasophia

Furry philosophy, Furry ideology [eng. Furrysophy]- a certain component of psychology, philosophy and furry behavior. It is traditionally believed that both furry characters and participants in a furry fandom should have a certain certain worldview, character traits, and behavior. Furry philosophy is based on the idea "Combining the best qualities from animal and human"... This idea allows one to move away from human society, thinking and standards, to abandon self-identification with them and from their influence. When someone believes that humanity is greedy, cruel, petty, boring, closed, limited ( dominating thought in many life situations and in transitional age), then furry, "fluffiness", as an opposition human becomes salvation. Opposing humanity (the negative image of it) gives the fluffy outlook on life openness, compassion, generosity, playfulness, and eccentricity. Furry ideology consists in striving for social idealization (endowing characters and their worlds with the best qualities, as well as personal interest in a kind of "perfect society"), which is clearly reflected in favorite characters, plots, and portrayal of relationships.

Unfortunately, concepts such as furrisophy, vanomics, furry literature have little popularity or are completely rejected by most of the hyperfandom, since they are difficult to understand and understand. Sooner or later, one has to admit that the participants in the hyperfandom are the same people, the same majority, the crowd, humans, humanity (in a negative view of it), not wanting to think about anything and striving only for pleasure. This is a topic for a separate article ().

Facial makeup and body art

Facial makeup, body art

[eng. Body art]- body art is an alternative reincarnation into your furson. This is drawing on your own body a special texture, depicting a cover of skin / fur, and a semblance of an animal's muzzle is drawn on the face, bypassing human anatomy. Sometimes, in addition to facial makeup, masks are used if the colors alone are not enough to create the desired image.

Furotika and yiff art

In furry fandom, there are many connoisseurs of erotic and frankly pornographic genres of fine art, where the main characters are furry characters (zooanthropomorphs). Both directions in creativity belong to furry fandom, if they are of cultural value or at least aesthetically attractive. However, it is important to note that hyperfandom members who consider sexual aspects the core value of furry fandom, in fact, do not belong to the furry fandom. Such people are part of the community. yiffers or xenophiles but not furries (Why?).

Purism

(purist) [from lat. Purus]- a participant who adheres to certain views about the purity of the fandom or fan art. The respective attitudes and currents held by them are called purism, although the word "purist" is used much more often in fandom circles. In other areas, this word refers to similar phenomena, for example, "Linguistic purism"- this is a condemnation of foreign borrowings and neologisms in the language. One of the popular topics of discussion in the community is what to count as furry and what not. At various stages of the existence of the fandom, groups arose that promote this or that concept of "true furry". For example, this theme was seen in Furry's relationship with Bronya and in heated debates over whether Feral Ponies are Furries or not. The idea of ​​fundamentally dividing hyperfandom into furry fandom and brony fandom is a clear manifestation of purism. Burned Furs condemned the overuse of yiffs and laid the foundation for the principled division of hyperfandom into "full-fledged" furries and so-called yiffers. In our microfandom, there are many who support the idea of ​​dividing and classifying fandoms in hyperfandom - this is also a manifestation of purism.

"Bambi effect"

[eng. Bambi effect]- the tendency of the public to empathize more with the troubles of cute animals, such as cats and deer, than unsympathetic ones, such as alligators and hippos. This is an important factor in the fight for the protection of animals. The name comes from the Disney cartoon "Bambi", released in 1942. "Bambi" had a powerful influence on world (primarily American) culture and public thought. The film has become one of the most famous, popular and time-tested symbols of the fight for animal rights, especially because of the cuteness of the protagonist.

"Drama"

Slang, ironic name for controversy, unrest and scandals in the community. It is used by various communities and fandoms and refers more to hyperfandom. The cause of the drama can be personal conflicts brought out in public or happening in public; ideological differences; events affecting entire groups and communities (for example, changing the course of the site); scams and fraud; as well as deliberate provocations. Within the furry community, this is called Furry drama... A common cause of drama is “art theft” and contradictions between the administration, moderation or other elite among themselves or with users of the Internet resource. Beyond the internet, the drama can unfold on confessions... This is not an integral part of furry fandom (Why?).

Black PR

[eng. Black PR]- according to Wikipedia, "black PR" can be attributed to the methods of information warfare. He has many intermediate goals aimed at making the position of a competitor in the market shaky and insecure through anti-propaganda and information suppression. Previously, this phenomenon was more related to competition between artists and workshops for the right to serve clients, but when furry fandom faced "ideological wars" between fandoms (for example, attempts by the Yiffers to impose their ideology on furries by displacing neutral content with pornospam on social networks, as well as organization of demoralizing groups) - many old-timers expressed concern about this state of affairs ... This phenomenon is not an integral part of the furry fandom, due to its specifics (Why?).

Sex minorities

Furry fandom is very tolerant of gay people, so furries are used to openly admitting their orientation, especially on the Internet. This tolerance has its origins in Furrisophia, which is at the heart of the Furry worldview. Unfortunately, most people do not know about Furrisofia itself, as well as about the "furry worldview", which gives modern society the illusion that the furry fandom is the stronghold of the sexual minorities, however, this is an extremely annoying delusion imposed by a group of famous Yiffers who are promoting this topic ... Such misconceptions entail not only negative criticism of the furries, but also enable the CM community to make public statements on behalf of the furry community. For example, "demoralizing groups" on the social network VKontakte actively convince their subscribers that furry is just a fetish belonging to the LGBT community. Furry Culture is extremely outraged by such deceitful incl.... This phenomenon does not apply to furry fandom, due to its specifics (Why?).

LGBT inclusions

[eng. LGBT-include] - "LGBT" it is an acronym that originated in English for a general designation of sexual minorities. Over time, this acronym became synonymous with the CM community, which had its own leaders and ideology, cooperated, turned into an official movement for the rights of minorities under various abbreviations, and even organized a separate conditional "kingdom" for itself. The main goal of the LGBT movement is to spread its ideology and products. LGBT activists periodically conduct on furry Internet resources funded by popularization fetishes and advertising of intimate products. An act of propaganda (as a rule, this is a buyout of Internet resources in order to replace content or the introduction of symbols of the CM community and product images into neutral creativity) LGBT inclusive from the English word "include" (literally "inclusion in the content"). At the moment, such methods are most actively used by LGBT activists in the anime, furries and bronies fandom. The main influence on world culture is the inclusion of symbolism in popular films and cartoons. Most of the supporters of such propaganda methods are Yiffers. This phenomenon does not apply to the furry fandom, due to its specificity (Why?), And is also negatively perceived by the participants of the furry fandom, and especially by the participants of "Furry Culture".

Fetishism

(Fetish) [eng. Fetishism, fetish]- sexual idolism, symbolism or partialism. A type of sexual behavior in which inanimate objects, things, sounds, smells, individual parts of the body or certain actions that are not initially associated with sex (instead of the traditionally common perception of both the partner and the process) become the source and stimulus for sexual desire. Thanks to LGBT propaganda, hyperfandom has an incredibly huge amount of yiff art dedicated to fetishes: from harmless "lapophilia" [eng. pawfetish] to a completely unimaginable disgusting slag, in an amount approaching more than 80% on some, in the past, neutral, Internet resources, bought out by LGBT activists. In most cases, this phenomenon does not apply to the furry fandom, due to its specific nature (Why?), And is also negatively perceived by many participants in the furry fandom, and especially by the participants in Furry Culture.

Microfand Furry Culture

Microfand

Furry Culture microfendom logo

[eng. Microfandom] - as a rule (no, not even as an exception), this is the name of a group of people who previously belonged to the fandom and separated from it for ideological (or other reasons) in order to found their own similar fandom with their own amendments. Microfandom does not become an independent fandom, but logically exists within the old fandom, while it is no longer part of it as a simple community (subgroup). Because the new microendom values ​​are not interpretations of the old fandom values, but exist separately, not based on generally accepted ones (perhaps partially, and possibly completely).

Appendix:

Furry Culture believes that the old fandom did not bother with its information security and integrity, therefore it began to degrade. We will be more prudent ...

If you wish, even on "WikiFur" you can pick out such definitions that quite clearly indicate the position of a member of the furry fandom, despite the brief summary.

For example, the criteria for defining a furry member from the "WikiFur" site.

WikiFur does not forget either the origins of the fans of zooanthropomorphism, or the extracts explaining that zooanthropomorphism is the primordially historical basis of furry fandom, and animalism is only practical in nature - for self-improvement.

An excerpt from WikiFur, focusing on the origins of furry interest in zooanthropomorphism.

But who's going to read it, right? So it turns out that the only way out in order to enjoy the art and be in the "crowd of friends" is to make it clear to the rest of the hyperfandom participants that we have other values, something more sublime than those universally accepted in the human society, and also clearer and more understandable.

Hyperfand

Furry-Hyperfand(not to be confused with "hyper furries") - so historically it is customary to call the fandom connoisseurs of neko, furry characters, ferals, dragons, xenomorphs, mythical creatures and other fictional species combined. But there is a logical error here. Let's immediately decide what to use the word furry in a phrase Furry Hyperfandom is wrong since furry is one of the small components of Hyperfandom.

• Hyperfand
  • Fandom bestiary
    • Furry fandom
      • Furry ( the main full-fledged part of the furry fandom)
      • Alter Furry (an alternate piece of furry fandom focused on fictional views and visuals)
    • Yiffers ("non-furries", mainly focused on the Yiff component and interacting with other Yiffers)
    • Furists ("non-furries" who regularly take an interest in furry themes, but do not interact with furry fandom)
    • Other non-furries ...
  • Other non-furries ...

Alter Furry or Alterfurri

[eng. Alter-Furry]- this term was coined by us to denote borderline states morphs furry characters. This is the name of furry characters who, in terms of their biological structure or way of thinking, are far from the classical representation of furries, but still look like furries, in some ways. For more information on how to determine the furry character of a character, see this article: Differences between furry characters and others. The graph clearly shows the ratio of the three main "species components" that define most types of characters. FC believes that the main "components" are: Anthropomorphic, Zoomorphic and Xenomorphic.

Furry(from the English Furry - covered with fur) is both a subculture of people united by life in the furry style, as well as a fandom that includes fans of creative works with the participation of anthropomorphic animals.

All furry everyday life is built around furry art, literature (fanfiction) and crafting your own costumes. You can also come across the term therianthrope- This is a person who identifies himself with some animal, bringing elements of his character and appearance (attributes) into his daily life.

How did furries come about?

Let's not dig deep into history, we just note that the emergence of humanoid animals in the animated series was to blame. Researchers usually attribute the emergence of the movement to the early 1980s, when the term "furry fandom" appears in various fantasy communities and small-circulation comic book editions. With the development of the Internet in the 1990s, sites were formed that unite representatives of this subculture (for example, Furnation, FurryMUCK). From the same moment, furry conventions Anthrocon and Further Confusion (since 1996), Midwest Fur Fest (2000), Further Confusion (2002) begin.

In Russia, the furry subculture begins to actively spread in the 2000s, the basis of the association is also the Internet communities (for example, FurNation.ru, www.yiff.ru, Wikifur, groups in social networks, etc.). The main theme of these sites is furry art.

Furry appearance

Most furries don't stand out from the crowd. But there are representatives who also outwardly try to look like animals, for this they use four main ways to look different:

• hairstyle (if you discolor the ends of the hair, something of a fox appears in the image);
• make-up: highlight the main details (for example, draw a nose) or do a full coloring;
• additional details of clothing: tail, ears and paws. The tail is usually hung on a belt. For those who especially want realism - any adhesive fastener (tape) and a hole in the pants.
• fursuit (full suit).

Worldview

Some of the furries are convinced that man and animal are the essence of an indivisible natural spirit. We should learn a lot from animals, and never break that sacred chain that connects us into a single intelligent living state on planet Earth. As the researcher O.S. Lisitsyna notes, the path to perfection, from the point of view of furry, is to combine the best qualities of man and beast at the level of body and soul. On this basis, members of the fandom build their entire worldview and strive to embody this perfection in themselves. Creativity is a way for furries to satisfy their spiritual quest, expressed in drawings, stories, songs, poems, etc.

In furry folklore, the tradition of dreams is widespread, where they completely feel like animals, live in an animal environment, run low pressed against the grass, swim under the turquoise ocean water, dig the earth, fly wide spread their wings over the unexplored expanses of the planet ... Such dreams are a clear sign for them the presence of the animal spirit in us. Each person is like his Twin Beast, and the furries can tell a lot about this.

Furson and role-playing games

A common social practice in this community is to create fursons(English fursona from persona - mask) - an anthropomorphic image of an animal or avatar. More than 95% of representatives have an anthropomorphic avatar or their own image. For many furries, fursons have personal significance, representing a meaningful representation of the ideal self. Furries can depict their furson on their own, or order an image from a furry artist, such orders are sometimes called commissions(from the English commission - to give an order).

Furries use fursons as characters to participate in Internet role-playing sessions, multiplayer text-based computer games, web forums, and correspondence. The oldest multi-user world is FurryMUCK (although it was preceded by a BBS called The Beastie Board, in which discussions often turned into role-playing games). Another popular group furry game is Furcadia.

Sociologists' opinion

The furry subculture is prevalent mainly in the youth environment, it can often act as a form of social adaptation, with a disturbed socialization process, which results in an attempt to socialize in closed communities, a sense of one's own exclusivity, a departure from reality, replaced by new social practices.

According to researchers, participation in a subculture can also be a modification of totemism, personification of oneself with the image of an animal in order to borrow a certain set of psychological, social or physical qualities. For the majority of young people, it is rather an opportunity to embody their creative potential in drawings, stories, modeling costumes and make-up and music.

The researchers note that furry characters are represented mainly by predatory mammals (approximately 52% of feline ( in Russian anime culture they are called neko), 39% canines and 9% other predators). There are also ungulates and other mammals, birds; reptiles and amphibians appear relatively rarely. Feline characters are represented by lions, less commonly tigers, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, panthers, cats, and lynxes. Dog characters are predominantly foxes and wolves.

Sociologist A.A. Chubur expresses the opinion that the predominance of predators in furry art is probably associated with a subconscious search for an imaginary patron among ancient peoples (totemism) up to self-identification with him - an attempt to become more powerful through an image created on paper or in thoughts. The mechanism of the birth of images of zooanthropomorphs in a modern representative of the subculture differs little from the mechanism of the birth of images in the brain of a Paleolithic artist (Chubur, 2007).

A. A. Chubur makes the assumption that the furry subculture is based on archetypal thinking. He considers the surge of interest in zooanthropomorphs as a defensive reaction to turning to mythological thinking, to overcome modern social problems (the growth of alienation, the crisis of morality, religion, ecology, etc.) (Chubur, 2009).

Natasha Fedorenko

Leon has been interested in animals since childhood- it began at a very young age after the cartoons "The Lion King", "Spirit" and "Balto". He painted them a lot - all the toys at home were also in the form of animals. Then there was the anime "The Legend of the Silver Fang Ouidah" ​​about dogs. “I communicated with people on the Internet, drew fan art. Then I already knew about furry, but was indifferent until I saw a fursuit in one park. At first this fandom seemed strange and expensive to me, but somehow it went, and just recently I completed my seventh costume, ”says Leon.

Leon is furry (from the English "fur", fur), that is, he loves anthropomorphic animals - those that behave like people. Talking animals have been familiar to us since the days of Aesop, let alone Disney. Nevertheless, the emergence of the subculture is usually attributed to the 70s and the first underground zines, which did not create an improved version of Mickey Mouse, but offered their own view of humanoid animals. Fandom historians Octavia Wolfe and Fred Patten associate its appearance with the Vootie edition and the Omaha Cat Dancer comic, which spoke openly about sex between anthropomorphic animals.

However, the very word "furry" began to gain popularity after the World Science Fiction Convention in 1980, where they discussed the first character from the future comic "Albedo Anthropomorphics" - an anthropomorphic cat that serves in alien forces. Since then, furries have only gained popularity: in the early 90s, the first conventions were already taking place, and the advent of broadband Internet helped the subculture to grow all over the world. In fact, furries are not much different from representatives of other fandoms (fans of science fiction or anime) - however, most often they prefer the genre "original", where the character must be invented on their own, and not taken ready-made from pop culture.

← Short documentary "Being Furry"

Fursuits and fursons

“People often come to gatherings without costumes, and there are quite a few of them. Not everyone has money, and someone does not want to change for their own reasons, ”says Leon. Most of the time, we think of the fandom as people in fursuits, that is, animal costumes, but they are a minority. According to the results of the interdisciplinary International Anthropomorphic Study, only 20% of the people in the fandom wear the costume. Ivan, a furry with two years of experience, says that ordering a fursuit in a decent Russian workshop will cost at least a thousand dollars.

Furson- a unique anthropomorphic animal with which furry associates itself, in other words, an alter ego. Fandom members think through all the little things about their furson - from eye color to character

“It's difficult, it's expensive. One head costs twenty thousand rubles, and it's still very cheap. In Russia, they earn less than in the West, and we are used to cheapness. Although in the USA it is absolutely normal to pay two and a half thousand dollars for a fursuit, ”says Leon. Ernst, who has been in the fandom for four years, explains that for a good fursuit, even of your own production, you will have to wait and pay well: “The basis for a suit is at least twelve thousand rubles. Plus, you need to understand that Russian fur is a shabby cat, and American fur is expensive. One delivery will cost no less than two thousand rubles. " Due to the high cost of workshops, many furries make their own costumes, but they admit that this is not very easy. “Sometimes it seems to me that fursuit makers are gods. They are very talented people, ”says Ernst.

The costume is usually sewn copying the “furson” of the customer - a fictional fluffy alter ego in which both appearance and character are important. Ernst says that the development of fursona is an opportunity to choose a new personality: “A person cannot change his character or gender, while here you are sculpting yourself as if from plasticine. So I feel like a punk rocker with a mohawk, green eyes and black hair, but in reality I look completely different. "

How often to use your furson - everyone decides for himself. Ernst puts on a suit when he feels sad and angry, and in everyday life he only wears a collar. Mila often puts on a suit for a walk, walks in it around the house - she may even fall asleep in it. “A couple of times I came to study in a fursuit - they reacted amusingly. But this is so, to rage at once. In general, I like to go to concerts like this, but in general it is dangerous for the costume and can be hot. I don’t do that myself, but I know furries who wear a tail or gloves in everyday life, ”says Leon.

Yiff and sex costumes

Ernst and other fur suits told us that they almost never faced aggression on the street. Children love furries - however, sometimes they twitch the tail or ears too much, which threatens the costume. “My favorite audience is local drunks, they take my suite very well. They are the coolest, ”says Ernst. However, this does not mean that everyone on the Internet and the media thinks the same way. Since furries became prominent in the West, the first attempts to investigate them have been at least unsuccessful.

Fursuit- a bespoke furry suit that looks like a fursona image. It can be full or partial, for example, only the legs and tail. The most popular fursuit animals are wolves, foxes, dogs, felines

Who are furries: Subculture, Self-identification, Behavior.

Furry, otherwise ferri(from the English. furry - fluffy, covered with fur) is a subculture that unites people who are, in one way or another, interested in anthropomorphic animals in the visual arts, animation, fiction and design. A feature of the subculture is the desire of its representatives to embody the image of an anthropomorphic animal in creativity or in themselves, through identification with it.

Anthropomorphic animals are fabulous animals, that is, fictional creatures that combine the qualities of a person and an animal, both in anatomical and behavioral terms.

Basically, predatory mammals - lions, cheetahs, foxes, wolves, as well as rodents - are endowed with human qualities. But there are also pets - cats and dogs. These animals are covered with fur, so in the English-speaking part of the subculture they were called "fluffy" or "furries". This word took root and determined the name of the subculture.

The furry subculture is closely related to the communities of fans of Disney and pro-Disney animation: "The Lion King", "Chip and Dale", "Gummy Bears", "Secret of the Rats". It is in Disney animation that an anthropomorphic animal comes to life fully, acquiring certain human traits, becoming good or evil, cowardly or brave.

A feature of the furry subculture is the self-identification of some of its representatives with anthropomorphic animals, which manifests itself as a desire to resemble an animal in appearance and behavior, and, possibly, in the form of a preference to draw a certain species (s) of animals. Thus, the consciousness of a furry can form a certain ideal of appearance, behavior and worldview, embodied in the image of anthropomorphic creatures.

In furries, depending on the degree of passion, secondary characteristics may appear - openness, sincerity, friendliness, cordiality and positive interest in their own kind. It is interesting that these features are often interpreted by some furries as their unique differences from the inhabitants and as qualities inherent in the entire community as a whole. However, this does not agree with reality - as in any more extensive community of people, some furries can put themselves aside from the community, be closed, unfriendly and aggressive, but at the same time, no less than other furries, love anthropomorphic animals, draw them and identify with them.


For that part of the furries that maintains a connection with the community, the formation of a special furry lifestyle is characteristic, which, again, is characterized by the most trusting and warm relations to their own kind, participation in joint events, meetings, and hikes. In Russia, since 2001, meetings of Russian-speaking furries have been held annually (the so-called "conferences" or "russfurrencies"). The American and European furry communities hold charity exhibitions of furry art and so-called fur suits (animal costumes).

Dragoniness.

Draconity, otherwise draconity (English draconity) - a concept meaning the state of being a dragon, dragon-like, or dragon-like. This is a slang word from a subculture whose representatives feel like dragons in role-playing games; also used in furry slang.

The rapid influx of dragons and the emergence of a variety of dragon species in role-playing games has become a cause for concern for the oldest members of the dragon's virtual communities. They fear that this will dissolve the "true" dragons in the general mass and discredit the subculture as a whole.

Usually, the basis of the dragon's self-awareness is their own understanding of the existence of the dragon, that is, the feature that dragons found in themselves in the process of self-knowledge. It is important to note that ideas about the "ideal dragon" vary greatly from individual to individual and can be very different from traditional ideas. But sometimes dragons identify themselves in accordance with mythological ideas about dragons in the West or East (Europe or China).
The life of the dragon community mainly takes place on the web, and themed dragon meetings, commonly referred to as rallies, are held in various places around the world.

Dragons have personality and, in particular, different characters. Some portray dragons as noble, wise, intelligent creatures, while others describe them as repulsive, stupid, aggressive monsters. Both of these characteristics are true for a subset of dragons. It is impossible to define the only thing that makes someone a dragon. There have been attempts to highlight a certain basic set of qualities that are characteristic of all dragons. The appearance and character of the dragon is a popular topic of discussion on the community forums. But a universal set of qualities that fit all dragons has yet to be defined.
Many of the dragons first became aware of their draconic nature, being involved in a broader community known as the furry subculture - an association of people who are somehow attracted by anthropomorphic animals, or identify with them. Dragons are associated with furries as anthropomorphic creatures, that is, with human qualities and inhuman form (regardless of whether they are covered with fur or not).
An unambiguous answer to the question "Are dragons a subset of the furry phenomenon?" no. Often, on the basis of subjective ideas about morality, morality, intelligence, self-consciousness, worldview and behavior, some dragons place the phenomenon of draconicity into a separate class of phenomena and, to one degree or another, are opposed to furry. However, this position should not be considered the only correct one, since ideas about the cultural ideal of furry can vary in the same wide range as ideas about the cultural ideal of the dragon. In fact, the only significant difference between furry and draconity is the appearance of an anthropomorphic creature. The dragon may well exist within the furry movement and consider itself its representative, without introducing additional entities.

Similar to the term therianthrope , one can form a similar term dracanthropus (eng. dracanthrope), which may more accurately represent a dragon in a human body. However, this term is hardly used among dragons. The reason for this is the existing negative experience of attempts to rename and separate a new community on the basis of the “bad reputation” of the existing one. "We are dragons, how else can we be called?" - asserted by some representatives of the movement. Thus, the introduction of the new term dracanthropus into everyday life is a potential source of problems of the “elitism of the name”, which does not make significant changes in the structure of the community and does not solve the existing problems.

Yiff

Yiff (yiff, iff) is a euphemistic (that is, euphonious) name for the image of sexual intercourse between humanoid creatures, as well as drawings depicting the genitals of humanoid creatures, often of a pornographic nature, in contrast to furry graphics in general, which may not bear any erotic connotation. This is a slang word used by the furry community.

The word is onomatopoeia and fox-like sounds produced during the mating season. In its English spelling (yiff), the word is similar to the onomatopoeic Scottish verb yaff, meaning to bark, bark, squeal.
For example, the expression "yiffly furry" means in the slang of furry fans - "a fluffy, soft humanoid character who arouses someone," or, the phrase "yiffy drawing" - an erotic drawing, more often an anthropomorphic animal, and so on.