Tradition: Icelandic Mythology
Alternative Names: Shell Whale, Svarfhvalur, Iron Whale, Hnúfubakur
Category: Whale
The Myth
The Skeljúngur is an Icelandic whale measuring between 20 and 45 metres long. It has a fat body, short flippers, no dorsal fin, and is covered entirely in shells that rattle as it swims. The shells make it itchy, causing it to rub its head against rocks in deep coastal waters. Despite its portly appearance, it swims quickly and is known as the “tiger whale.” It dives and sleeps vertically, with its head sticking out of the sea. Whether it has teeth or baleen is unclear.
One of the illhveli, or evil whales, the Skeljúngur is unusual because its flesh is edible and safe to eat. However, it is dangerous to ships, positioning itself in their path and continuing to obstruct them when captains attempt to avoid it. Ships that sail directly onto the whale are thrown into the air, killing everyone aboard. It attacks vessels with its fins and tail, and its shell-covered body protects it against most attacks. It may also pretend to be dead to lure prey within reach. The whaling ship Minerva, off Grímsey, once believed it had killed a Skeljúngur, only for the whale to recover and destroy the boat sent to finish it off.
Skeljúngurs hate the sound of iron being ground or filed. Hearing it drives them into a frenzy, causing them to beach themselves to escape the noise. This aversion gives rise to the alternative name Svarfhvalur, meaning “iron whale.” Despite their hostility towards humans, Skeljúngurs have occasionally helped them. A young one once aided Hjalmper and Olvir in battle against a vicious Hrosshvalur. Skeljúngur is also used as another name for the humpback whale, or Hnúfubakur.
Sources
“Skeljúngur.” A Book of Creatures, December 14, 2015. https://abookofcreatures.com/2015/12/14/skeljungur/