Brief History on Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics or behavior, to a god, animal or object.
It has been around since 1753 and originated with the Greeks, and has remained in ancient roots, for example the Egyptian gods, as they would often have animal heads on human-like bodies. They are also very common in storytelling eg, werewolves or vampires and most cultures have traditional fables with anthropomorphic animals as characters eg, The Children of Lir.
Even in today's time we still have lots of anthropomorphism all around us, most commonly in media.
Some people even enjoy it so much that they even create their own 'Fursonas' which is when you take your own persona and merge it to give yourself animal characteristics. I personally find this really interesting.
It has been around since 1753 and originated with the Greeks, and has remained in ancient roots, for example the Egyptian gods, as they would often have animal heads on human-like bodies. They are also very common in storytelling eg, werewolves or vampires and most cultures have traditional fables with anthropomorphic animals as characters eg, The Children of Lir.
Even in today's time we still have lots of anthropomorphism all around us, most commonly in media.
Some people even enjoy it so much that they even create their own 'Fursonas' which is when you take your own persona and merge it to give yourself animal characteristics. I personally find this really interesting.
It is crazy to me that stereotypes can even influence children, to which I must mention the crazy amount of Propaganda cartoons which I have stumbled upon during my research, mostly regarding both of the World Wars and the Cold War.
One of these propaganda cartoons that stood out to me the most was
'Squirrel and Hedgehog', as it fits with my anthropomorphic animal theme.
One of these propaganda cartoons that stood out to me the most was
'Squirrel and Hedgehog', as it fits with my anthropomorphic animal theme.
Squirrel and Hedgehog was a North Korean children's cartoon that was created by Kim Jun-Ok. It aired from 1977 to 2013.
It is about a group of squirrels (which are usually stereotyped as innocent and cute animals in the wild) who are the leaders, and based on the people of North Korea, and they live in Flower Hill, which is obviously based on Korea. The squirrels are trying to build shelter as winter approaches, although they get attacked by the Weasels and the Rats (typically stereotyped to be dirty, sneaky, thieving and backstabbing) who are based on the Japanese. The bear, who is based on the Soviet Russians, usually protects the squirrels, although the rats got him drunk (which is a stereotype itself), and the squirrels don't know if they can rely on bear anymore, so the squirrels went to the hedgehogs, who are based on North Korean soldiers, and the ducks, who are based on the North Korean Navy. This is a reference on how the North Koreans no longer depended on the Soviet Union, and thought that they needed their own strong military. |
There are also wolves (which are typically stereotyped to be cunning) who are based on the Americans. The wolves are also an enemy of the squirrels. This references how North Korea aren't too friendly with the Americans with the Capitalist and Communist divide.
Finally, there are also the mice (which are usually stereotyped as cowardly, weak and small) who are based on the South Koreans, which North Korea also aren't too happy with, as they are protected and supported by America, and North Korea would ideally want all of their country for themselves.
Japan (the weasels) and North Korea have tension between them as the Japanese support South Korea.
This cartoon is based on North Korea culture, encouraging North Korean kids to stand by and fight for their country, and to be honoured to die for it if they were in the battlefield.
In the show, Flower Hill (North Korea) wins each battle over and over, as they encourage kids that the North Korea is better and above everyone else, and they can't trust anyone else.
It normalises violence against other countries, as guns and mega weapons (mimicking nuclear weapons) are present in the show, and even graphic scenes like waterboarding, Impalement, murder and suicide are present...
Poor North Korean kids.
Finally, there are also the mice (which are usually stereotyped as cowardly, weak and small) who are based on the South Koreans, which North Korea also aren't too happy with, as they are protected and supported by America, and North Korea would ideally want all of their country for themselves.
Japan (the weasels) and North Korea have tension between them as the Japanese support South Korea.
This cartoon is based on North Korea culture, encouraging North Korean kids to stand by and fight for their country, and to be honoured to die for it if they were in the battlefield.
In the show, Flower Hill (North Korea) wins each battle over and over, as they encourage kids that the North Korea is better and above everyone else, and they can't trust anyone else.
It normalises violence against other countries, as guns and mega weapons (mimicking nuclear weapons) are present in the show, and even graphic scenes like waterboarding, Impalement, murder and suicide are present...
Poor North Korean kids.