Selkie

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Marine Lexicon — Marine mammals — Mythical creatures — Activities related to marine mammals — Toponomy — Zooarchaeology — Historical sources — Cite Marine Lexicon

selkie • Scottish mythology: creature that can change from seal to human form by shedding its skin. The Scots language word selkie is diminutive for selch which strictly speaking means "grey seal" (Halichoerus grypus). Has a counterpart in Norwegian, Portuguese, Faroese and Icelandic folk mythology.

Country of origin

Scotland

Counterparts

• Selkvinne; Kobbejente (Norway)
• Marinha (Portugal)

Animals selkie may refer to

• Halichoerus grypus

References

• Parsons, E.C.M. 2004. Sea monsters and mermaids in Scottish folklore: can these tales give us information on the historic occurrence of marine animals in Scotland? Anthrozoos, 17 (1): 73-80.