ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Wolves in folklore, religion and mythology

Wolves are animals that people often talked and wrote about in stories a long time ago. In many stories, they are not just regular wolves — they are special kinds of wolves with magical powers or special meaning. These stories are part of what we call folklore, religion, and mythology.

Folklore is the stories, beliefs, and customs of a particular culture, passed down by word of mouth. Religion is a set of beliefs that people have about the world and how it works, often involving one or more gods or goddesses. Mythology is a collection of myths, which are stories that explain how the world was created or how things came to be, usually involving gods and goddesses.

In many cultures, wolves have been seen as important and powerful animals. They are often associated with bravery, loyalty, and strength. For example, in Native American folklore, wolves were seen as teachers and guides, and in Norse mythology, wolves were the companions of the god Odin and were seen as powerful and wise.

However, wolves have also been seen as scary and dangerous animals, especially in stories that involve wolves attacking people or livestock. In many cultures, wolves have been seen as symbols of evil or darkness. For example, in Christian mythology, wolves were seen as creatures of the devil and were often depicted as attacking people.

Overall, wolves have played an important role in many different stories and beliefs throughout history. They have been seen as both powerful and dangerous, and have been used as symbols for many different ideas and emotions.