On the remote island of Kalsoy in the Faroe Islands stands a striking 8-foot statue of a woman, cloaked in legend and mystery. The Faroe Islands themselves are wild, rugged, and often shrouded in mist—isolated and untouched by mass tourism. While many travelers seek sun-soaked beaches and bustling cities, the Faroes offer a more enigmatic beauty, especially in the summer months. The people here are hardy, kind, and steeped in folklore unlike any other.This statue commemorates the legend of the Seal Woman—a unique myth from Faroese tradition. According to local lore, she was once a human who grew weary of her life on land. Longing for freedom, she entered the sea and transformed entirely into a seal—not a mermaid, but a full seal, unlike the half-human, half-fish creatures in other myths such as Denmark’s famous Little Mermaid.Yet the transformation was not final. Once a year, on the Twelfth Night, these seal women return to land, shedding their seal skins to rejoin their former community and partake in human celebrations. Then, as dawn breaks, they return to the sea, reclaiming their seal forms once more. It’s a tale that blends transformation, longing, and the mysterious rhythms of nature.Interestingly, the people of the Faroe Islands are not only keepers of ancient myth—they also contribute to modern legend-making. Two Faroese sailors participated in the Irish “Brendan Voyage,” a project to recreate Saint Brendan’s legendary journey across the Atlantic using traditional materials and methods. Along with a Scottish crew, they proved the voyage to North America could have been possible, helping to bring the myth closer to reality. The full story can be found in the book The Brendan Voyage.
Disclaimer
This post retells traditional Faroese folklore using publicly available sources. All photos are for illustration purposes only and do not portray actual events or beings.
Very interesting myth. Very cool
Interesting. I’ve never heard anything about this before. Thanks.