There is much more to furries than just people who enjoy dressing up as animals. Furries are a community of people who identify with animal-like characteristics and enjoy spending time with others who share their interests. They come from all walks of life and can be found in all corners of the world.
So, what exactly is a furry? Let’s find out!
What is a Furry?
Furry, also known as anthro, basically means that you like anthropomorphic animals. This usually involves having an interest in people dressing up in animal costumes and sometimes using stuffed or robotic toys to take on the role of these characters. The most famous example of this would be the Mascots from the Olympic games.
Furry fans may also roleplay as these characters, creating stories and sometimes having their own fun. This might include interacting with each other or painting your character into a picture.
The furry community is an interesting bunch of people ranging from artists to writers to the people who enjoy the fandom because they like taking on an animal persona.
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So why do people like to act like animals? Well, it can vary from person to person, but there are many reasons for this. Some may find that the idea of acting like an animal is liberating and allows them to express themselves in a way they can’t as easily in their normal life.
There are also those who feel they have a closer connection with animals from an emotional or psychological perspective. Others find that dressing up as an animal makes them happy and allows them to express their personality in a way they may not be able to as easily as a human.
Many also enjoy the fandom because of different types of art, writing, music and anything else to do with the fandom. One of the biggest communities in this area is over at DeviantArt, where a large number of animal costume fans can be found.
The furry community, in general, has become a way to express yourself and your interests in a way that isn’t always allowed in normal everyday life, making it an important part of many lives.
How to Become a Furry?
To be a furry, you do not have to dress as an animal or character, as mentioned above, as many fans simply enjoy imagining themselves in their own human form as if they were born with the body of an animal instead.
There are also those who take on the role of an animal character but will not physically change themselves.
A person can be a furry even if they are not interested in talking animals or are unable to dress as them at all. It is a franchise that can be taken in many different ways, but most furries simply enjoy the culture and share it with others.
It is not a fetish or any type of sexual inclination, but instead is simply the act of enjoying anthropomorphic characters. For furries, it is often this imaginative side that they enjoy sharing with others.
When it comes to the topic of furry roleplaying, there are many different types of characters you can play. It might be as exact as taking on the character of an animal who is celebrating its birthday or one where you simply look like a furry character but act like yourself.
You do not actually have to physically change yourself into an animal to participate in furry roleplaying. It is simply the act of assuming a new skin. There are also many different types of furries that you might take on, whether they are magical beings or other humans
You can even play an animalistic version of yourself should you choose to do so.
Furry Culture and Conventions
Furry culture is not new, so you will often find people new to the genre who may not understand what it is all about. There are also some who associate it with fetish and sexuality, but this isn’t always the case and often far from it.
Those who enjoy furry culture do not need to dress up in animal costumes of any sort, though for many, they do find pleasure in doing so. Is there a right or wrong way to become a furry? There is no such thing with the fandom being as diverse and open to any interpretation.
All you need is a little imagination, and there are many furry fans that will be more than happy to help you get started.
Conventions dedicated to the furry fandom are usually held all around the world throughout most of the year. At these conventions, you might find artists who do commissions or sell their artwork, fur-suiters showing off their costumes and even furries showing off their mascots.
Furries usually refer to each other as ‘furriends,’ and it is considered highly unusual among the furry community to dislike a person for their sexual orientation or race.
The Appeal of Being a Furry
Although this will vary from person to person, there are many different reasons why someone would enjoy being a furry. Some enjoy the art and stories of other furries, while some simply like the idea of having an animal form or character that they can identify themselves with.
Indeed, it is not uncommon for people who have experienced bullying in their lives to find comfort in the furry community as they can transform into a character that may be more powerful than humans and know that they have people who support them.
It is important to remember that everyone is different, and they will have their own reasons for becoming a furry.
In Conclusion
So, what does it mean to be a furry? While we may never pinpoint an absolute definition for this term (and it’s not necessarily something that should be classified in terms of black or white, but more along the lines of a spectrum), we can provide you with this article to help give you an understanding about what furry culture is.
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