Selkie

Country of origin

Scotland

Description

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, Faroese and Icelandic folk mythology.

Counterparts

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

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