Whats the difference between a shapeshifter and a skinwalker?

Answer 1

A shapeshifter is one who can change their shape without the use of external items, like werewolves.

A skinwalker, on the other hand, is a type of magic user who assumes the shape of an animal with the use of the animal's skin. If the book I read is correct, a blood sacrifice within the family has to be made to become a skinwalker.

Answer 2

-A werewolf, which means man-wolf, refers to a person who changes into wolf form and back. It was believed that people achieved this transformation either by means of a spell performed by the person wanting to change or a spell that had been placed on them by another, rubbing themselves with a special ointment (which contained hallucinogenics), wearing an animal skin or girdle of animal hide, or making a pact with the devil. -Skinwalker is a term that is only applied to the practitioners of 'black magic' among certain southwestern Native American nations - primarily the Navajo (or Dine). There is disagreement as to whether skinwalkers make an actual physical transformation or simply achieve the appearance of an animal (usually a coyote) by wearing skins, skulls, and paint. Tradition says that the first skinwalker achieved transformation when a coyote offered to "trade" skins with a human. In real life it is widely believed that someone wishing to become a skinwalker must kill another person in order to be initiated. -Shapeshifter is a much more universal term as it can apply to any person or being who is able to shift between different forms.

Answer 3

There seem to be varying degrees of shapeshifter, one of which is a skinwalker. So .. a shapeshifter can be a mental, physical or physio-mental. If it is physical then it is a skinwalker.

Answer 4

The Skinwalker is of Native American legend that flew up in popularity when the televison movie of the same name was shown. The word shape-shifter was introduced in a novel and has become a generic word for any creature that can move from one appearance to another. I guess metamorphoses was just a bit too unwieldy to say or write.

An aside: It's quite common in the insect kingdom.

Answer 5

Shapeshifting, transformation or transmogrification is a change in the form or shape of a person, especially: * a change from human form to animal form and vice versa* a change in appearance from one person to another
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapeshifter


The Skin-walker is a phenomenon and/or belief found in numerous cultures all over the world, closely related to beliefs in witchcraft, werewolves and other "were" creatures. The Mohawk Indian word "limikkin" is sometimes used to desribe all skin-walkers on internet sites.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skinwalker

Answer 6

A shapeshifter was an early euphemism for a werewolf.

Now the newest euphemism seems to be 'skinwalker'?

Answer 7

A shapeshifter can assume your form but you live. A skinwalker needs your skin to assume your form so you are dead.

Of course neither one exists, so they are both like god in that regard.

Answer 8

A shape shifter can change into animals and back into a human and they are usually holy men and women and work on the side of light . but a skin walker is a evil holy man or women who do evil things to people and they walk on the dark side

Answer 9

A shape-shifter skin stays intact through its transition... While a skin walker skin is all but ripped to shreds during it transition and all new skin is re-grown for a skin-walker when it returns to its human form so the transition take longer for a skin-walker........................... And these fact can be found at your local library or at the library of congress which is where I found this information out.............................................

Answer 10

Skinwalker Wiki