Selkies in Modern Culture

Though as ancient as they are in legend, the tale of the Selkie inspired many derivatives in modern culture. These can vary from being true to the Celtic overtones, a full intergration of the past to the present, or a mention of the fate Selkies have in their lives within the context of these people.

(Art by nyxzeta. Character and Series owned by Tessa Stone)

One graphic novel "Hanna is Not a Boy's Name" has one of the main characters as a Selkie hybrid. Shark-like teeth and a very snappy attitude, he was born from a Selkie mother who had her seal skin taken and hidden by a man. Taken from the site itself:

"The first thing you may notice about Veser is that he has ungodly huge eyes. Second thing may be his horrible rows of gnashing shark teeth, and thirdly may be that he’s an annoying teenage twat. These are all accurate and wonderful observations. Veser is nineteen, but he acts way younger than that, though how much of it is a mask is somewhat debatable. Its hard to tell whether or not he decides to say inappropriate things because he thinks it is funny or because he sincerely lacks the social tact. Most speculate it is both... He tends to react violently to things as a poor line of self defense, punching and kicking and picking fights when he is in a bad mood. Though in turn, when in a good mood Veser is extremely friendly, usually being quite close so he can hug, drape over you, or friendly-punch you in the arm if the moment calls for it. Veser is very much a slave to all of his emotions."

Just as Veser himself is a slave to his emotions, Selkies are a slave to the sea, emotionally and physically.

Another influence the Selktic tales have taken upon modern society also goes into the gaming world. In Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, there is an aquatic race of people called Selkaths, where the writers of the game may have derived it from the Selkie legends.

(Art and Characters owned by Square Enix)
In another video game, Selkies has taken its role as a part of a major character, or one of them at least. In Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles. Though the characters themselves do not operate closely to the Selkie legends told, they have ties similar to the legend. In game, they are considered known for their ravishing looks and natural ability for atheleticism, adding to their general charisma. Additionally, they had a legend that they came form the sea, where one quote states: "They say Selkies came from the sea, and to the sea we will someday return" (Square).

These few examples are merely a fraction of how the Selktic legend influenced modern art, games, and literature, where many novels and films dedicate themselves to the legend.

Citation
Square Enix. "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles." Www.square-enix.com. Web. 19 Nov. 2010. <http://na.square-enix.com/games/ffcc/>.

Stone, Tessa. "Hanna's Not a Boy's Name." Yep. Web. 19 Nov. 2010. <http://hanna.aftertorque.com/>.