"Otherkin" is the term describing people who identify not as human, but as an animal, a plant, a mythical creature, a fictional character, etc. It is usually a spiritual belief, but can also be psychological.
For example, I am a wolf therian. That means I believe my soul is not that of a human, but instead that of a wolf's. I also believe I was reincarnated from a wolf. That being said, otherkinity usually centers around reincarnation, but not always.
"Therians" are otherkin who have only animal kintypes. These animals must be actual animals that have existed or have existed in the past. Someone kin with dragons would not be called a dragon therian, because dragons do not exist on this plane of existence, but someone kin with megalodon would be considered a megalodon therian, because megalodons, while extinct, have existed before on this planet.
People kin with fictional characters are called fictionkin. They usually center their beliefs around both reincarnation and the Multiverse Theory.
There are also divine people, or people kin with divine beings such as gods, demons, angels and hellhounds. Those who identify as gods can either identity as themselves being a god (as I do) or a god from a "dead" religion (I've seen someone kin with Anubis; that's a great example).
Angels and demons can do the same; they can identify as themselves being an angel or demon, or they can identify as an angel or demon already known in religious texts.
Otherkin do not choose their kintypes. Kintypes just happen. You cannot choose your kintype(s). If you do, you are not truly otherkin/therian.
Otherkinity is not a religion. It is an identity and, for some, a spiritual belief.
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Otherkinity And Therianthropy
Non-FictionA detailed guide on therians and otherkin as written by someone who is both.
