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Selkies (also known as silkies or selchies) are mythological creatures in Irish and Scottish mythology that can transform themselves from seals to humans. The legend apparently originated in the Orkney Islands, where "selkie" is simply the Orcadian word for "seal". Scottish mythology consists of the myths and legends historically told by the people of Scotland. ...
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Families Odobenidae Otariidae Phocidae Pinnipeds (fin-foots, lit. ...
The Orkney Islands are one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, and form a traditional county and Lieutenancy area, and the Orkney constituency of the Scottish Parliament. ...
Selkies are able to become humans by shedding their seal skins, and can revert to seal form by putting the skins back on. Stories concerning selkies are generally romantic tragedies. A human and a selkie fall in love, but after a while the selkie becomes restless, and decides to return to the sea. Sometimes the human will not know that their lover is a selkie, and wakes to find them gone. Other times the human will hide the selkie's skin, thus preventing them from returning to seal form. The Grey Selkie of Suleskerry is a ballad typical of the former, while The Secret of Roan Inish is a movie telling the latter tale. "Seal Child" is a children's novel by Sylvia Peck which details a modern telling of this myth. The Secret of Roan Inish, an independent film directed by John Sayles, was released widely in 1994. ...
There is also a connotation that if a man steals a selkie's skin she is in his power, to an extent, and does not wish to leave him. But if her skin is found she will be unable to keep herself from returning to her home in the sea. Male selkies are supposedly unattractive and this is why the female selkie tries to lure the human to herself. For other aquatic mythological creatures of Celtic origin see:
The kelpie (each uisge - i. ...
The oldest manufacturer of Sewing Machines in the United States, Merrow is one of the most recognized brands of textile equipment in the world. ...
The Muc-sheilch or Muc-sheilche was an alleged freshwater monster of Scotland said to have been seen often in Loch Maree and neighbouring lochs by anglers and others. ...
The Dobhar-chu (also known as the dobhar-chú, dobarcu, doyarchu, and dhuragoo) is a dog of Irish folklore or a cryptid. ...
External links - The Selkie Folk, from Orkneyjar, "a website dedicated to the preserving, exploring and documenting the ancient history, folklore and traditions of Orkney."
- Annotated Selkie resources from Mermaids on the Web
- The Origin of the Selkie Folk from Orkneyjar
- A Home for Selkies by Beth Winegarner
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