other legends than selkies..??

[act2redux]

I was so taken with the selkie legend and the garb that goes with it that it got me to thinking - here in the midwest I don't think folks are familiar with that legend~  I had thought about doing the selkie thing that the other thread got me to envisioning for our mid-winter's ball. I thought that perhaps there might be similar legends but more familiar to our area.   However, being the tech challenged person I am, I can't think of nor google legends more familiar to our locality.  Would any of you have any suggestions re: either a specific character/legend or be able to help me figure out how to find them for myself??
thanks a bunch!!

[Sitara]

Fairies
Dryads
Nymphs
Harpies
Centaurs
Satyrs
Sirens
Medusa
Elves
Dwarves
Trolls
Orcs
Ogres
Hobbits
Huldra
Changelings

That is just off the top of my head.  Do a google search for info on any of them.  Or just search mythical creatures or beings.

[Margaret]

What nationality is predominant in your area or what are your nationalities?

That may be a good place to start for looking into 'familiar' myths and legands.  For example, I am orginially from the UP of Michigan where we are mostly Scandivanian, Italian and a smattering of other folks.  I would google "Swedish Mythology" or "Finnish Mythology", then go from there.

Good luck and have fun!!

[act2redux]

Mmmm...hadn't thought about it like that~ We are pretty diverse as a city, but I guess mostly german, french, italian,  I'm susre I could GET to selkie, but as a water based legend it seems to me that as a land locked area it won't be as recognizable around here.  Its not a character I would use for faire in the forseable future, so I could do whatever I wanted, certainly.   I simply thought if it was a more common myth for my area, it would be recognizable!

I'll try what you suggested and see what Icome up with - thanks!!

[Selkie]

There is the legend of the Lorelei that would sit on the rocks of the Rhine River in Germany. It's basically a variation on the mermaid myth, if you're wanting to do a mythical creature with aquatic origins.

Here's the Wikipedia entry on her: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorelei

I also just remembered the story of Melusine, a more generalized European tale with another mermaid-like being.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melusine

If you're interested, I could help you with the mythical creatures, since I'm a big folklore/mythology buff.

[act2redux]

I would love that - I didn't start out to "userp" (sp?) your idea, but ..um..yeah...if I can't find SOMETHING I like better it'll probably be a selkie gown for me!  It doesn't have to be water related.  I am in the midwest with many different cultures feeding into ours.  As I said - the most obvious choices would be french, italian, germanic
I looked at native american - lots of buffalo and coyotes there- some birds
I am NOT young, sveldt  and fabulous looking- so some of the fairy choices seemed out to me!  I will look into Melusine  and lorelei when I get home from work. 
soooo- yep, any help or suggestions you might have.  I guess the concept of the seaweed skirt and still have a corset/ seaweed chemise got into my head!

[wyckdblyss]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_species_in_folklore_and_mythology

Just found this and thought it may be of some help.

[Selkie]

That is a nice, thorough list of mythical creatures, WyckedBlyss. ^^

But yeah, I wanted to do a selkie because I've fallen for the folklore behind them and a selkie isn't a costume I've seen done very often, so I'm wanting to do something different.

[act2redux]

I snuck my way thru the C's at work - still nothing better than selkies - but I still have hope!

[Selkie]

What is it about the selkies that catches your interest so much? If I knew what fascinated you about them, it could be easier to figure out other alternatives to them.

[act2redux]

a couple of things I guess -

they are human but not nec. ageless/young
they aren't by nature, wicked / evil
no horse, goat, fish parts  instead of legs!

looked at Ginny Greenteeth and similar - possible- need more research
gonna keep looking - that list is a good one - got down to the "L"s tonight
let me know if you think of some other suggestion
There are a ton of the late teens/early 20's here doing fairys - so don't want to go there - oh, yeah, there was something about "hags" but haven't found enough yet to  make a decision.  I have plenty of time to keep looking...had no idea it would be this tough to find something I like!

[Selkie]

You know, ever since I started reading this thread, my mind keeps going back to the huldra. To me, it doesn't seem like an age-specific creature, it's got a human shape,  it's not necessarily evil by default, and there aren't  any specific animal parts (like you mentioned) other than a cow's tail or a fox's tail.  I can see an older and wiser version of a huldra just as much as I can a young one. That's the thing about myths: they can be interpreted in a variety of ways. This is just my opinion, but I like it when I see people think outside the box.

[act2redux]

Hmm - I'll go check that one out, thanks!

[act2redux]

well, from what I gather the Huldra hate humans - seem to be pretty nasty, cause awful stuff - lots of it by licking the human in question??..     

other sites have them listed as pretty benign sounding - so one or the other- they both seem to be a type of tree spirits...initially I could get into either.

however, did like the initial description of Lesidhe ~gonna check it out with a couple of other sources, but so far they sound pretty good...

I have a fair over the weekend - I'll research both some more and let ya know...

thanks again!

[Hoowil]

Have you thought about swanmays? Same basic concept as a selkie, but bears a shawl of swan feathers as a human (or hides it very securely) and takes the form of a swan instead of a seal. Generally a more inland type creature than a selkie.

[Selkie]

*nod* There are many stories with female shapeshifters like selkies and swanmays. I've even heard of a  wolf variant in Croatia. And swans are pretty much everywhere, just about. That'd be really pretty too, a long cloak or shawl of white feathers.

[gem]

Since I'm assuming you mean the midwest of North America, it's a fair bet that pretty much any European folklore is going to be as familiar (or, more likely, unfamiliar) as any other.  I think more people would know, for instance, what a selkie is than could recite the legends of Melusine or Jenny Greenteeth, or identify a Huldra (although I, personally, would really love to see the Melusine costume.)

Once you get out of the realm of generic fairy/LOTR elf/mermaid/werewolf, you're going to be in iffy territory for most people.

Now, just as a personal note... I've never found dressing to suit other people's expectations to be a path to garb happiness.   Pick a character/creature you like, make your garb around that, and use the opportunity to educate people!

[act2redux]

very true -  I am not sure which direction I will take with that...thankfully I have a couple of months to decide!  The next project is a version of Delores Umbridge - a bunch of us are gonna ride the train to Chicago "in garb" and see the H. Potter exibition at the museum and the new movie the same weekend! MMmmmm

I do love the swanmays story, but there is currently a woman at my home fair doing a version of that character - and quite well, I might add! 

I would never get to wear this character to any faire - I am highly involved in greyhound rescue and my fair character/garb is all about dogs, coursing and the like...   So this one is completely for something to do that is a step away from my own norm - just to play.

[Selkie]

Well, whatever character you do decide on, be sure to let us know and take pictures!  If it's a selkie, I definitely want to see that, but any costume would be great! ^^

[act2redux]

I'll keep you up on it - pics to be added later.  at the moment still torn between the tree spirit thing and the selkie - both seem like a fun way to play for a night or two