Other Selkie Stories
On the west coast of Ireland, fishermen are afraid of killing seals. They were scared that the seals contained the souls of those who were lost in the flood.
In Shetland, the sea monsters are called Finns, and have the ability to transform into any sea creature and humans. “They were wont to pursue boats at sea, and it was dangerous in the extreme to say anything against them”
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The word, “selkie” is the Scot word for “seal”, and has several spellings, including selchie, sylkie, and silkie.
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The stories of selkies provide a way to consider the connection between humans, animals, and nature. Selkie lore and myths highlight the transfusion of the mystical into daily life.
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“Ballads, legends, folktales, and even films such as The Secret of Roan Inish (set in Ireland) keep alive the concept of capricious, loving, vengeful, or life-saving seals”.
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"At the edge of the sea, the interaction with a magical creature constitutes a core experience in which the supernatural world and the natural world intersect" (McEntire: 134). Selkie stories provide a way for people to consider the relationship between humans and nature. Our respect for animals is tied to our relationship with them and the natural world.
The Faroe Islands
A legend from the Faroe Islands tells of selkies coming to shore on Twelfth Night, January 6, to take their skins off and look the same as other humans. It's thought that they may be the souls who were lost at sea.
Icelandic Folk Belief
In Iceland there are folk tales that tell of the "sea people" having been descendents of the Pharoah's army who drowned in the Red Sea. The story tells of them taking off their skins once a year to become humans, either on Midsummer's Eve or on the Twelfth Day of Christmas.
