Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is a term that refers to giving human or humanoid characteristics to non-human things, either in a metaphorical or literal sense. This trait largely refers to the fact that humans have evolved to interact and seek interaction with other humans.

Examples of Anthropomorphism

• National Personifications (Marianne for France, Uncle Sam for the United States)
• Androids and Gynoids
• Various depictions of animals in fiction have degrees of anthropomorphization, from thinking in a human manner, to speaking, to having more human traits (bipedalism, hands, etc).
• Gods as anthropomorphic representations of objects, concepts or phenomenon (Thor giving a Human face to storms and lightning, Neptune of the sea, Cai Shen representing wealth and prosperity)