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Selkie
Seals that shed their skin to become human. They take human lovers. Hide a selkie's skin, and they must stay with you. But they always long for the sea, and one day, they will find their skin and return.
Ancient - Present
Scotland and Ireland
500+ witnesses
Selkies are mythological creatures from Scottish, Irish, and Icelandic folklore—seals that can shed their skin to become human.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
Selkies:
- Are seals in the water
- Can shed their skin on land
- Become beautiful humans
- Can be trapped by hiding their skin
- Always long for the sea
The Transformation
Selkies:
- Remove their seal skin on shore
- Become attractive humans
- Dance on beaches at night
- Can interbreed with humans
- Need their skin to return to seal form
Trapping a Selkie
A common story:
- A human finds and hides the skin
- The selkie cannot return to sea
- They marry and have children
- But they’re never truly happy
- They always search for their skin
The Return
Eventually:
- The selkie finds their hidden skin
- They immediately return to sea
- They may visit their human family
- But they cannot stay on land
- The sea calls them back
Male Selkies
Male selkies:
- Seek out dissatisfied women
- Women waiting for fishermen
- They are very seductive
- Children may have webbed hands
- They always return to the sea