Also called Finmen, Finwives.
The tale
The Finfolk of Orkney are dark sorcerers of the sea who spend winter in the undersea city of Finfolkaheem and summer on Hildaland, an island that can vanish from sight. They kidnap humans to be their spouses. Finwives are beautiful when young but turn ugly as they age, unless they marry a human, so they are sent ashore to earn silver as healers and spinners for their husbands.
When they are met
- on the shore
- in summer, when they come ashore
Staying on their good side
- carry a cross or a coin of silver as old tales advise
- never make a bargain with a stranger by the shore
- stay out of lonely boats
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Tell their stories as Orkney winter tales.
- Keep the sea in respect; its dangers are real.
What their tales teach
- the tales teach caution with strangers
- the cost of greed
Symbols
- Finfolkaheem
- Hildaland
- silver coins
Sources
- Marwick, The Folklore of Orkney and Shetland
- Dennison, Orkney Folklore (The Scottish Antiquary, 1891 to 1893)
More Celtic folklore
- The Banshee The keening woman of the fairy mound
- Selkies The seal folk who come ashore
- The Púca The shape-shifter of November
- The Aos Sí The people of the fairy mounds
- The Kelpie The water horse of the lochs
- The Tylwyth Teg The Fair Family of Wales
- Leprechaun The solitary fairy shoemaker
- Clurichaun The fairy of the wine cellar