what are selkies?

Question

I know there half-human half-seal, but thats about it

Answer 1

In the traditions of Orkney and Shetland, Selkies are the seal beings that have the ability to take human shape when they come to land. Selkies live in the sea and bask upon the rocky skerries, but they can slip off their skins, which they usually hide behind a rock, in order to come ashore.
They sometimes make marriages with ordinary humans, usually force to such a relationship when the partner has hidden their Selkie skin. In most traditions, the Selkie eventually discovers the hidden skin in a chest and puts it on again with some expedition and dives back into the waters, sometimes taking the fruit of their union back with them, to the chagrin of the human partner. The reason for Selkies being in this condition is hotly contested. Did they merit such a strange state because they were once angels driven out of heaven? Or were they sinful humans living out their term of purgation or purification in the shape of seals. Some ministers held that Selkies were capable of salvations. Selkies are not considered to be the same as the Roane who have a much more gentle and forgiving nature.
Traditions about seal-folk abound round the coastal waters of Britain and Ireland. Traces of Selkie legends recur in the Welsh story of Math, son of Mathonwy. When the goddess Arianrhod pretends to be a virgin in order to obtain the post of virgin footholder at the ccourt of her uncle, King Math, she is made to step over his druidic staff in order to demonstrate her fitness. No sooner has she done so than she immediately gives birth to a child, Dylan. Math overseas his upbringing but Dylan cannot remain upon the land. He makes his way to the waters and dives into the ocean. It would seem that his mother Arianrhod had had relations with one of the Selkies some time prior to her test.

Answer 2

A creature or spirit in Scottish and Irish folklore that has the form of a seal but can also assume human form.
Male selkies are very handsome in their human form, and have great seduction powers over human women. They typically seek those who are dissatisfied with their romantic life. This includes married women waiting for their fishermen husbands. If a woman wishes to make contact with a selkie male, she has to go to a beach and shed seven tears into the sea.

If a man steals a female selkie's skin, she is in his power, to an extent, and she is forced to become his wife. Female selkies are said to make excellent wives, but because their true home is the sea, they will often be seen gazing longingly to the ocean. If her skin is found she will immediately return to her home - sometimes, her selkie husband - in the sea.

A corresponding creature also existed in Swedish legends

Answer 3

they were said to come ashore at night and take off their skin to become human..they married men but would go back to sea. they are suppose to be in the mermaid family and a cousin of the siren

Answer 4

that's basically it. they probably have some form of power, but then again, i've never heard of them :P

Answer 5

then whats your question?