What is a Selkie?
What is a selkie? Many people are familiar with mermaids and the various forms they take in different folklore. But what about selkies? They aren’t quite so common, and most will absolutely think of the popular dress brand before thinking about the mythical creature who shares its name.
A selkie woman looks off towards the water (image by The Magic Crafter)
Put simply, a selkie is a magical shapeshifting seal that can be found in Celtic and Norse stories. Selkies may take the form of a seal by wearing their magical selkie skin, or they may take on the form of a human by shedding their selkie skin. If a selkie loses their magical seal fur, then they cannot transform back into their seal form and will remained trapped on land. Sadly, this is the direction many selkie tales take.
Are selkies seal mermaids?
A “seal mermaid” depiction of a selkie may not be true to the stories, but its the best we performers can do… for now!
Traditionally, a selkie is depicted as either a seal or as a human- not as a half-human and half-seal hybrid. Selkies are not the same as mermaids. HOWEVER. As a professional mermaid performer, depicting a selkie as a “seal mermaid” is the best I can do (at least until the day I master the art of shapeshifting. lol). And so, my selkie costumes are not visually accurate. That said, I do think they are really fun and super cute, and I hope you like them too! :)
Where to get a Selkie Mermaid Tail?
If you like my selkie seal mermaid costumes, then I have good news for you! While there aren’t many places that currently sell swimmable selkie tails, I do know of at least two places that sell them. So, if you’d like to become a selkie, here are two places where you can buy a selkie costume.
Eunelle Sea Maiden (Facebook)
Eunelle Sea Maiden create extremely unique handmade mermaid tails and selkie costumes that are unlike anything you will find elsewhere. Each costume piece is carefully crafted with the buyer in mind and the costumes are often made with recycled materials. The selkie costume that she made for me has flippers instead of a monofin, which adds an extra splash of realism to the seal mermaid look.
You can contact her on Facebook, if you’d like to get a tail from her. I don’t get anything from it but the satisfaction of knowing that I helped a selkie find its flippers, but feel free to let her know The Magic Crafter sent you her way. ;)
Moonsong Magic
Moonsong Magic is a pretty well-known mermaid tail maker who specializes in making stunning Gothic mermaid tail designs. I actually own one of her Night Terror mermaid tails too, which I adore! In addition to making darker, more Gothic designs, she also creates fantasy themed tails and some very lovely natural looking tails as well. Her Selkie Dreams tail is my newest addition to my seal mermaid collection. The selkie mermaid tail from Moonsong Magic utilizes a monofin rather than flippers, so it may be more comfortable for someone who is used to using the dolphin kick motion with a monofin in place. The tail is also made to your measurments and made with a stretchy fabric that feels similar to swimsuit material.
If you would like a mermaid tail from Moonsong Magic, you can use my affiliate discount code PHANTOM15 to save on your order.
Want MORE Selkie Shenanigans?
If you’re new to the idea of seal folk and are hungry for more content realted to them, please check out this video playlist for more videos of me swimming in my selkie mermaid tails, along with some of my favorite selkie-themed songs AND even a selkie movie!
Thanks for stopping!
Affiliate Disclosure: The Magic Crafter is an affiliate of Moonsong Magic. By using the discount code Phantom15 to complete your order, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if your order qualifies. Thank you for your support!