Snorkmaiden, an excitable dreamer

Snorkmaiden is very resourceful and quick-thinking, which often leads to her saving the day in style with a unique and ingenious solution. For example, she once rescued Moomintroll from a deep-sea octopus with nothing other than a ruby looking-glass. She enjoys acting out stories about beautiful maidens and brave heroes – with herself and Moomintroll in the leading roles, of course.

She first appears in Comet in Moominland (1946), in which Moomintroll rescues her from a poisonous bush of the Angostura family. Being a bold and quick-thinking character herself, it’s not long before she rescues him right back. They are rather taken with one another straight away (to Sniff’s dismay!)

“Snorkmaiden shouldn’t be underestimated.”

It’s true that Snorkmaiden can appear a touch vain on occasion, but she shouldn’t be underestimated. After all, it was her ingenious thinking that led to the catching of the giant Mameluke fish after everyone else had given up hope.

Snorkmaiden is a Snork, a type of creature that looks very similar to a Moomintroll but with one difference: they can change colour according to their emotions. Snorkmaiden has a neatly-combed blonde fringe, blue eyes and soft fluff. She wears a flower behind her ear and a gold ring around her ankle. 

Her brother is simply known as the Snork and he too first appears in Comet in Moominland (1946).

What makes Snorkmaiden happy?

Moomintroll, and precious jewels! Best of all is when Moomintroll gifts her something beautiful she can wear. (In fact, Snorkmaiden was partly tempted to Moominvalley in the first place in the hope of a new ankle ring made from pearls that Moomintroll had collected…) 

What is Snorkmaiden’s special talent?

Snorkmaiden is very resourceful – with little to work with, she can whip up the most wonderful berry soup or weave a lovely grass mat to sleep on. She is more practical than she is often given credit for.

A little-known fact about Snorkmaiden:

Snorkmaiden won first prize at a beauty competition. It was a fancy-dress contest, and she entered as a mermaid with a costume made of fishing nets and seaweed.      

Snorkmaiden quotes:

• “I would save your life eight times a day if only I could.” (Comet in Moominland, 1946)
• “I wish I could do something tremendous, all on my own, to impress Moomintroll.” (Finn Family Moomintroll, 1948)
• “I’ll have to calm down a bit. Or else I’ll burst with happiness.” (Moominsummer Madness, 1954)
• “Protect me, dear!” (Moominsummer Madness, 1954)
• “Perhaps a cup of tea with blackcurrant jam would save me. Possibly.” (Moominsummer Madness, 1954)