Hermaphrodite

2009-01-03T08:34:48Z

87.118.125.129: viorsitli

darzel
{{Cleanup}}
: ''This article is about the term '''hermaphrodite''' as used in a furry context. For information on non-furry uses of the term, please see [[Wikipedia:Hermaphrodite|the Wikipedia entry on hermaphrodite]]. For more on real-life humans with both male or female sexual characteristics (intersexuals), please see [[Wikipedia:Intersexed|intersexed at Wikipedia]].

[[Image:LookingToTheFuture-small.jpg|right|thumb|[[Chakats]] are commonly hermaphrodites]]
A '''hermaphrodite''' is a creature that has both [[male]] and [[female]] [[genitalia|sex organs]]. The word is commonly abbreviated as '''herm''' or '''hermaph'''. It is derived from the [[Greek mythology|Greek myth]] about [[Wikipedia:Hermaphroditus|Hermaphroditus]], the son of deities [[Wikipedia:Hermes|Hermes]] and [[Wikipedia:Aphrodite|Aphrodite]], who was merged with the water nymph [[Wikipedia:Salmacis|Salmacis]] into a hermaphroditic form. ''Hermaphrodite'' is analogous to the Japanese term [[Wikipedia:Futanari|futanari]] used in [[anime]] fandom.

== Common types of hermaphrodites ==

Most herms found in [[furry fandom]] are represented as overtly female figures with both male and female primary sexual characteristics. The female characteristics tend to be exaggerated, often to the point of [[Hypertrophilia|hyper-endowment]], with extremely large [[breasts]], hips, and a feminine face.

Some hermaphrodite furs are [[Wikipedia:Androgynous|androgynous]]; they don't look particularly male or female, but rather a seamless blend of the sexes throughout, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. There are also some (relatively few) masculine herms who appear mostly or entirely male, but also have female sex organs behind their male genitalia.

Many herm furs are [[Taur|tauric]] in shape, and may sometimes be hermaphroditic with differing sexual characteristics on their upper and lower bodies. The [[Chakat]] race is an example of a hermaphroditic centaur-like species. Exotic furs such as [[alien]]s, [[demon]]s, [[shapeshifter]]s, or even plants are sometimes hermaphroditic.

Hermaphroditic furs are often portrayed as blatantly sexualized and are frequently [[Hypertrophilia|hyper-endowed]]. Indeed, a disproportionately-large number of hyper-fans also seem to play herm characters some or all of the time. However, not all herms are necessarily overtly sexual. There are those who are either sexually inactive, disinterested, or have different reasons for portraying a hermaphroditic character than simple sexual fascination.

== Pronouns ==

The English language lacks a standard set of pronouns sufficient to cover hermaphrodites, and so the proper pronoun for a herm fur can vary considerably and often depends on that fur's personal choice. Some herms whose forms appear primarily female use female personal pronouns, as do many shemales furs, while masculine herms may be inclined to use male pronouns.

Also common are [[Wikipedia:Neologism|neologic]] pronouns such as ''hir'', ''hie'', ''sie'', and ''ze''. Examples of these pronouns are shown on the following table:

{| cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" border="1" valign="top" align="center"
|-
| || [[Wikipedia:Nominative case|Nominative (subject)]] || [[Wikipedia:Accusative case|Accusative (object)]] || [[Wikipedia:Possessive adjective|Possessive Adjective]] || [[Wikipedia:Possessive pronoun|Possessive Pronoun]] || [[Wikipedia:Reflexive pronoun|Reflexive]]
|-
|'''He''' || ''He'' laughed || I kissed ''him'' || ''His'' head hurts || I am ''his'' || He feeds ''himself''
|-
|'''She''' || ''She'' laughed || I kissed ''her'' || ''Her'' head hurts || I am ''hers'' || She feeds ''herself''
|-
|'''Hie''' || ''Hie'' laughed || I kissed ''hem'' || ''Hiz'' head hurts || I am ''hiz'' || Hie feeds ''hemself''
|-
|'''Sie and hir''' || ''Sie'' laughed || I kissed ''hir'' || ''Hir'' head hurts || I am ''hirs'' || Sie feeds ''hirself''
|-
|'''Ze and hir''' || ''Ze'' laughed || I kissed ''hir'' || ''Hir'' head hurts || I am ''hirs'' || Ze feeds ''hirself''
|-
|'''Zie''' || ''Zie'' laughed || I kissed ''zir'' || ''Zir'' head hurts || I am ''zirs'' || Zie feeds ''zirself''
|}

Many sets of pronouns originated as [[Wikipedia:Gender-neutral pronoun|gender-neutral pronouns]], although hermaphrodites are not themselves neuter; a slightly more accurate term is ''androgynous pronoun''.

* The pronoun ''sie'' is often replaced with ''shi'' within the fandom.
* Users of the ''hie'' set often substitute ''him'', or even ''hiem'' in object case.

== Hermaphrodites in artwork ==

Hermaphrodites are not uncommon in [[furry artwork]], and some artists specialize in drawing herm furs. The most prominent artist of hermaphrodites is [[Doug Winger]], whose extreme proportions have spawned terms such as ''Winger Girls'', ''Wingeresque'', and ''[[Wingerized]]''.

Many other artists draw herm furs, including [[FoxxFire]], [[Orena]], [[Thumbclawz]], [[Marc Leonhardt]], [[AraKaraath]], [[Kaye Darktail]] and countless others who have done works that depict herms ranging from busty babes with manly bulges to the truly androgynous creatures of history and mythology.

Herms appear in many art sites such as the [[VCL]], [[Fur Affinity]], [[SheezyArt]], and [http://www.futanari.org/ futanari.org].

== Online locations for herm furs ==

Herms can be found in quite a few areas throughout the fandom, including [[hermsyiff]] on [[FurNet (IRC)]] and [[yiffy.net]]. The [[Hermaphrodite Haven]]s on [[FurryMUCK]], [[Tapestries MUCK]], [[SPR]], and [[Second Life]] are social areas devoted to herms and those who enjoy their company.

==See also==
* [[Prickvixen]]

{{Wikipedia|Gender-neutral pronoun}}
[[Category:Mature terms]]

WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Hermaphrodite