Difference between lycan and werewolf in tabular form

We explain that what is the difference between lycan and werewolf with table. Lycan and Werewolf are two distinct mythical or folk creatures. Although they both transform into human wolves, there are considerable differences between them.

A lycanthrope is a mythological creature of Greek origin. Greek folklore described Lycan as a naked man who ran through the streets biting anyone he came across with his bare teeth. Another folklore described it as insane. Over time, these narratives were transformed into what we know today as the story of men transforming into wolves.

The werewolf, on the other hand, is a folk creature of English origin. English folklore described the werewolf as a man who transformed into a wolf at night and devoured humans, corpses, or animals. However, during the day, they transformed into human beings.

The difference between a lycanthrope and a werewolf is that the former can change shape at any place or time. The latter, on the other hand, automatically transforms into a full moon night and cannot control such a transformation. Also, the term Lycan was first mentioned in Greek folklore, while Werewolf has its origin in Old English folklore, specifically in the Americas after the Spanish invasion.

Lycanthropes vs. Werewolves Comparison Table (in tabular form)

Lycan Werewolf Comparison Parameter

What is Lycan?

It is a mythological character that can turn into a wolf from a human being. Such transformation is deliberate and can occur at any time or place. In other words, a lycanthrope can change shape at will.

Lycans are considered by some to be of Transylvanian origin. But its first mention dates back to the time of the Greek city-states. In Greek folklore, Lycan is known as a naked man who runs through the streets and bites anyone he comes across.

Some other Greek narratives describe it as insane. Lycan, in fact, is a shortened version of the term “Lycanthropy” which refers to a mental disorder in which a person considers himself a wolf. It is also used to refer to a viral disease called rabies that is transmitted to humans through the bite of animals, especially stray dogs.

As the narratives of the lycanthropes were passed from one generation to the next, the form of the original stories was altered. Consequently, the story of a man who became a wolf was born. A human becomes a Lycan when bitten by another Lycan.

When a lycanthrope bites a person, the person feels excruciating pain in their body, as if their body is on fire. But the pain lasts only a few minutes. Immediately after being bitten, the person transforms into a wolf and can return to his human form only after receiving the breath of his creator.

Lycans are smart, muscular, and difficult to kill. They look like a real wolf but bigger and with deadly claws. They symbolize a religious practice. The only weakness a lycanthrope has is silver. However, he cannot kill them. They can only die if someone damages their spine or separates the skull from the spine.

In popular culture, the mythical character of Lycan has been popularized by the movie Underworld: Rise of the Lycans released on January 23, 2009.

What is the werewolf?

He is a folkloric character who transforms from a human to a wolf on a full moon night and feeds on humans, animals or corpses. But such a transformation is not under the control of the person concerned. It happens automatically and cannot be restricted. However, after the night is over, the person reverts to human form.

The origin of werewolves can be traced back to ancient English folklore that occurred in the Americas after the Spanish invaded and settled there. This proposition is reinforced by the derivation of the term ‘werewolf’, which is a combination of two different words found in Old English. The terms are ‘Wer’ which means ‘man’ and ‘Wulf’ which means ‘wolf’.

A person becomes a werewolf when another werewolf bites him. During the transformation, the affected person goes through tremendous bodily changes. Their bones lengthen and change shape, sometimes with such force that it creates a break in the skin. The process takes several minutes and the end product turns out to be a wolf in the posture of a human being.

Like werewolves, werewolves possess inhuman strength, speed, and agility. They have incredible senses that allow them to track anything. Although they have the power of regeneration but they have a weakness that can become the reason for their death and that is silver.

To kill a werewolf, you need to shoot or stab his heart or head with silver. Shooting is a safer option as it can prevent the person from being scratched or bitten by the werewolf.

There may be some medical explanations for the werewolf phenomenon, such as food poisoning, hypertrichosis (a genetic disorder that causes abnormal hair growth), rage, or hallucinations. Another medical explanation for werewolf mania may be Pitt-Hopkins syndrome discovered in 1978. It is a medical condition in which the person experiences seizures, shortness of breath, paralytic aphonia, and intellectual changes.

However, in earlier times, there were no scientific explanations for these conditions. Therefore, mythological creatures such as werewolves were used to describe these inexplicable conditions.

Yet in modern times, werewolves are but one of the horror icons of popular culture. Its popularity is primarily attributed to the 1941 Hollywood film, The Werewolf.

Main differences between lycanthropes and werewolves

• Both werewolves and werewolves are mythical creatures concerned with transforming humans into wolves. But in the case of lycanthropes, the transformation occurs at the will of the person concerned. While in the case of werewolves, the transformation occurs involuntarily.
• A lycanthrope can transform at any time or place. Meanwhile, a werewolf transforms into a full moon night.
• Lycans are of Greek origin. While werewolves are of English origin.
• When a lycanthrope transforms, it looks like a large wolf with deadly claws. Whereas, a werewolf looks like a wolf with a man’s stance on transformation.
• To kill a lycanthrope, it is necessary to injure its spine or separate the skull from the spine. A werewolf in it can be killed by shooting or stabbing its head or heart with silver.

Final Thought

In terms of physical strength, werewolves and lycanthropes are about the same. In addition, both are agile and fast. They have superhuman powers and the ability to regenerate them. In addition, they are well coordinated and possess incredible tracking abilities.

However, werewolves are muscular and smarter than werewolves. They are more difficult to kill. Interestingly, the term Lycan is also used as an abbreviation for the term Lycanthropy defined as a state in which a person feels like a wolf.