Selkie

What is a Selkie?

In Scottish and Irish folklore, selkies are mythological creatures that can transform between the form of a seal and a human. They are believed to inhabit the coastal waters of Scotland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands. Selkies are often depicted as seals in the water, but they can shed their seal skins to take on human form on land.

Selkies are deeply tied to themes of love, loss, and longing in folklore. Stories about them often tell of selkies who come ashore, leaving their seal skin behind. If a human finds and hides the skin, the selkie cannot return to the sea and may be forced into a human life, often involving marriage. However, these stories frequently end in heartbreak, as the selkie eventually finds their skin and returns to the sea, leaving behind their human family.

The tales of selkies are poignant and have inspired poetry, songs, and modern literature. They symbolize the call of the wild and the struggle between freedom and captivity.