Selkies (from the Scots word for "seal") are mythical shapeshifters in Celtic and Norse folklore who transform between seal and human forms by shedding or donning their skins. Primarily associated with the Northern Isles of Scotland (Orkney and Shetland), these legends also appear in Irish, Icelandic, and Faroese traditions.
Core Legend & Characteristics
- The Transformation: Selkies live as seals in the ocean but can shed their skins to walk as beautiful humans on land. They often come ashore to dance in the moonlight on Midsummer's Eve or during springtides.
- Nature: Generally depicted as gentle, amorous, and melancholic, they are often on the receiving end of human mistreatment.
- Physical Traits: In human form, they are described as irresistibly beautiful with dark hair and eyes. Some stories claim descendants of selkies have hereditary traits like webbed fingers or toes (syndactyly) or a fishy scent.
Common Folklore Motifs
- The Stolen Skin: The most famous tale involves a man stealing a female selkie's skin to prevent her from returning to the sea, forcing her into a marriage. These stories often end tragically; once she (or her children) finds the hidden skin, she immediately flees back to the ocean, often leaving her human family behind.
- Male Selkies: Described as exceptionally handsome, they typically seek out "unsatisfied" women, such as lonely fisherman's wives. A woman can summon one by shedding seven tears into the sea at high tide.
- Vengeance: While usually benign, some legends (particularly Faroese) feature selkies who place deadly curses on those who harm their kin, such as the legend of Kópakonan on Kalsoy.
Proposed Origins
Theories regarding the origin of selkie myths include:
- Inuit Travelers: Early sightings of Inuit hunters in skin kayaks (which could appear half-submerged like a seal) or drying their skins on rocks.
- Shipwrecked Strangers: Misinterpretation of dark-haired Spanish or Finnish shipwreck survivors washing ashore.
- Supernatural Beliefs: Some traditions viewed them as fallen angels who landed in the sea or as the reincarnated souls of drowned people.