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Aarne–Thompson–Uther index

About this index and how to read it

The ATU index classifies international folktales by type. Each row gives the type number, its title and summary, followed by the references it inherits: Arne Thompson is the earlier Aarne–Thompson type number, and Thompson lists the motif references from Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature associated with that type.

Cross-references inside a summary open the relevant tale-type or motif record. Thompson motif references in the final column are linked directly to the corresponding entry in the Stith Thompson Motif Index when that reference exists in the database. Any column heading can be clicked to sort by it, and clicking again reverses the order. Following a type number opens that type on its own page.

Tales of Magic 560–749

73 tale types

Sorted by type number, ascending

Showing 1–50 of 73 · Page 1 of 2

ATU ▲ Title Summary Arne Thompson Thompson
560 The Magic Ring The grateful animals (cat and dog) recover it for him. See analysis below: I a, b; II; III; IV a. - ANALYSIS: Types 560 and 561. I. Magic Object Received. The hero receives a magic ring (stone) which will perform all the wishes of the owner, from (a)… , 560 B360., D1131.1., D1470.1.15., D1662.1., D2136.2., D810., D812., D861.5., D882.1.1.
561 Aladdin The object recovered by means of another magic object. For analysis see Type 560 (1 c; II; III; IV b, c). , 561 D1131.1., D1421.1.5., D1470.1.15., D1470.1.16., D1662.2., D2136.2., D840., D860., D881.
562 The Spirit in the Blue Light No examples in the Database yet , 562 D1391., D1421.1.4., D1426., D1470.1., D845., N813.
563 Three Magic Gifts The stick compels the treacherous host of the inn to give back the table and the ass. See analysis below: I a, b, c, d; II a, (b) d. - ANALYSIS: Types 563 and 564. I. The Magic Objects. (a) A poor man receives three magic objects: (b) a table or sack… , 563 B103.1.1., D1401.2., D1472.1.7., D861.1., D881.2., J2355.1.
564 The Two Marvelous Pitchers The rich neighbor steals the magic objects. By means of the sack the hero compels the return of the purse. For analysis see Type 563: 1 a, b, c, e; II c, d. , 564 D1030.1., D1193., D1401.1., D861.
565 The Magic Mill Grinds an enormous amount of meal or salt when the man who has stolen it cannot stop it. I. The Magic Mill (Pot). The hero or heroine receives (a) a magic pot that fills itself with porridge or (b) a mill that grinds meal or salt. (c) Only the owner… , 565 A1115.2., C916.3., D1472.1.9., D1601.21.1., D1651., D861.
566 Fortunatus The return of the objects is brought about with an apple, the eating of which causes horns to grow. I. The Magic Objects. (a) Three men each receive from a mannikin or from enchanted princess a magic object: (b) a self-filling purse (mantle), a… , 566, 580* D1451., D1475.1., D1520.11., D812., D861.6., D895., D992.1.
567 The Magic Bird Heart I. The Bird-heart. The hero eats the heart of the magic bird and thereby receives the power (a) of spitting gold or (b) of finding each day a coin under his pillow; or (c) he will become king. II. The Treacherous Wife. A woman (or his own wife)… , 567, 567A B113.1., D132.1., D1561.1.1., D861.5., D965., K512., M312.3., N311., N683., S264.1., S322.4.
569 The Knapsack, the Hat, and the Horn No examples in the Database yet , 569 D1222., D1470., D1472.1.22., D1475.4., D831., D861.
570 Bunnies Beware of the King With the help of his magic pipe he calls the rabbits together. He wins the hand of the princess.
  • I. Task: Herding Rabbits. A king offers the princess as a prize to the man who can herd his rabbits (goats). He has a pipe with which he can call the animals back.
  • II. Youngest Brother's Success. (a) Two elder brothers are unkind to an old woman and fail, but the youngest is kind and receives a pipe with which he can assemble the animals.
  • III. Bargains for Magic Pipe. (a) In the attempt to buy the pipe from him the princess or the queen kisses him, (b) or lies with him; or (c) the king kisses a horse's rump.
  • IV. A Sack of Lies. (a) Before finally granting him the princess, the king orders the boy to tell a sack of lies. (b) He begins to tell until the king (queen) makes him stop and gives him the princess.
  • - Adapted from Christiansen Norske Eventyr.
    , 570, 570* D1224., D1427.1., D1441.1.2., H1045., H1112., K1271.1.1., K1288., T68.
    571 The Golden Goose All remain hanging to the magic object: bundle of hay, cow, servant boy, preacher, etc. I. The Golden Goose. (a) Of three brothers only the youngest divides food and drink with a hungry man and receives as reward a golden goose; or (b) he gets the… , 571, 571B D1413., D1413.8., D2171.3.1., D2171.5., D812.3., D817., F591., H1010., H1194., H341., H341.1., K422.
    572 The Barking Dog's Head No examples in the Database yet
    575 The Wings of the Prince Contest in the preparation of the most wonderful object. Wings. The prince buys the wings from a clever workman. The hero flies to the princess in the tower. They fly away together from the stake where they are to be burned. After they have flown…
    577 The Order of the King The three brothers; the oak in the king's castle yard. The king's daughter is promised to the one who is able to perform certain difficult tasks, usually to cut down a large tree. The three brothers set out, and the youngest is the only one who pays… , 577 D1581., D1601.14., D1601.15., D1601.18.2., H335., H971.1.
    580 Favor of Women With the youngest of three brothers all women are in love. At the father's death when the elder brothers wish for riches, etc. the youngest [L10], wishes for [L210] and receives the power to make women love him [D1900]. He secures from the hostess of… , 580 D1472.1.7., D1473., D1900., D856., T45.
    581 The Magic Object and the Trolls Cf. Types 303, 513. I. Magic Objects Acquired. Two brothers wander immediately after birth [T585] and part at a cross-roads [N772]. The first brother meets three old women with only one eye. He takes it [K333.2] and gives it back in exchange for an…
    585 Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle The prince will marry the girl who is at once the poorest and the richest [H1311.2]. She possesses marvelous heirlooms: a spindle that brings the prince to her [D1425.1], a needle that transforms the room [D1337.1.7], a shuttle that makes a magic… , 585 D1337.1.7., D1425.1., D1484.1., H1311.2.
    590 The Prince and the Bracelets The youth whose evil stepmother seeks his life finds two armbands: strong. Adventures. Two lions become his helpers. The stepmother has his eyes put out. He is cured and the stepmother punished. Cf. Type 315. I. The Blue Band. (a) A boy traveling… , 590 B431.2., B512., D1335.4., D1840., D861., D880., F615., H1212., H1333.3.1.1., H1361., H931., K975., S12.1.
    591 The Thieving Pot A peasant exchanges his cow [N421, D851] for a magic pot that brings him bread, beer, money, etc. from his rich neighbors [D1605.1, D1412.2].
    592 The Dance Among Thorns Magic fiddle, cards, and gun. The judge is compelled to dance. I. The Magic Object and Powers. (a) A boy, driven from home by an evil stepmother or (b) dismissed from service with a pittance for years of labor, (c) gives his money to a poor man who… , 592 D1415.2.5., D1653.1.7., D1761.0.2., K551.3.1., N55., Q42.1., S322.4.
    593 Fiddevav All who poke in the ashes (the daughter, the woman, the preacher, etc.) must keep saying »Fiddevav», until they are released from the magic [D1413.17]. An old woman [N825.3] gives [D810] the hero a magic stone and advises him to go to the peasant's house at night, to say nothing, but »Thanks« [C495.3] and to lay the stone in the ashes. The stone prevents fire from being made and all who try to make it stick to the poker [D1413, D2172.1]. The hero gets the peasant's daughter in return for release. Cf. Types 330A, 571, 571A, 571B]. , 593 D1413., D1413.17., D2172.1., N825.3.
    610 The Healing Fruit The sick princess is offered to the man who can cure her [T681, H346]. An old woman [N825.3] gives healing power to the fruits [D1500.1.5] of the youngest brother [Q2, L13]. After the youngest brother has succeeded [L10] he is given tasks: herding rabbits (Type 570); making a land and water ship (Type 513), and fetching a feather from a magic bird (Type 461). He performs the tasks, goes and makes a fortune, returns and humbles the king and marries the princess [L161]. , 610 D1500.1.5., D1533.1.1., H1010., H1112., H1331.1.2.1., H346., L10., L13., L161., N825.3., Q2., T68.1.
    611 True Love No examples in the Database yet
    612 The Three Snake-Leaves See analysis of 612. II. (c) The wife is bitten by a snake and dies. III. (a) The man and his wife are separated. (b) The husband becomes an adviser to the king. (c) The wife, who has become a prostitute or dancer, pleases the king and is granted a… , 612 B491.1., B512., D1500.1.4., E105., E165., K2213.2., K2213.5., M254., P361., S142.
    613 The Two Travelers: Truth and Falsehood One puts out the other's eyes. The blind man overhears secrets under a tree (gallows) and recovers his sight. The wicked companion has his eyes put out or is killed. I. The Blinded Man. (a) Two travelers (brothers) dispute as to whether truth or… , 613 D1505.5., D2064.1., F1045., F933.2., H346., K451.1., M225., N2.3.3., N451.1., N471., N61., N92.
    620 The Presents The haughty sister misuses her gift and loses it. Of two sisters the haughty one disdains to help an old woman. By means of the old woman's magic wand [D1254.1] she is given a castle and becomes a queen. Because of her haughtiness she is driven forth…
    621 The Louse-Skin The hero guesses the puzzle and wins the princess. The one she turns to in the night. Cf. Types 425B, 571-574, 559, 850.
  • I. The Louse. (a) The princess has a louse fattened and it becomes as big as a calf. (b) At its death she has a dress made from its skin. (c) She is to marry the man who can guess from what the dress is made. (d) The hero learns by trickery and wins her.
  • II. To Whom She Turns [H315].
  • Occurs rarely as sequel. See Type 850.
    622 The Talking Bed-Legs The king purchases a bed. During the night the legs of the bed speak and warn him of dangers or assist in other ways. [D1154.1.1, D1317.11, D1380.12, D1402.17, D1610.17.1, N454.1]. - Cf. Franklin Edgerton Vikrama's Adventures or the Thirty-Two Tales…
    650 Strong John No examples in the Database yet , 650A, 650C B631., D1846.4., F611.1.1., F611.2.1., F611.3.1., F612.1., F615., F615.1., F615.2.3., F615.3.1., H931., K1411., K1421.
    652 The Boy Whose Wishes Always Come True I. The Godfather. (a) A king chooses as godfather for his son the first man he meets. (b) The old man chosen as godfather takes the boy secretly to a church, blesses him, and gives him the power to make all wishes come true. II. The Treacherous… , 652 D141., D1761.0.1., D212.1., D630., K2155.1., K2250., N811., N856.1., Q455.1., R131.8.5., T52.1.
    653 The Skillful Brothers The father has them trained. Display of their accomplishments. The bird's nest on the tree. The stolen princess recovered. Cf. Type 513, 514. I. The Four Brothers Tested. (a) Four brothers sent to learn trades return home and are tested. (b) The… , 653, 653A D1323.15., D1500.1.5.1., D1520.19., F660.1., F662.2., H621.2., P251.6.2., R111.1.3., R111.7., R166., T68.1.
    654 The Three Brothers The father has them trained. Trial of their handiwork. The fighting master swings his sword so fast that it does not become wet in a heavy rain; the barber shaves a running hare; the blacksmith shoes a horse while it is galloping. , 654 F660.1., F663.1., F665.1., F667.1.
    655 The Wise Brothers The king is bastard. Staying at the king's court they are asked to utter three wise words. As a result of extraordinary powers of deduction, they declare that the king is bastard, the roast is dog meat, etc. All proves to be true. , 655 F647.1., F647.5.1., J1661.1.1., J1661.1.2.
    660 The Three Doctors The hog's heart, the thief's hand, the cat's eye. The three doctors make a trial of their skill [H504]. One removes one of his eyes, one his heart, and the other a hand [F668.1]. They are to replace them without injury the next morning [E782]. During… , 660 E780.2., E781.3., E782.1.1., E787., F668.1., H504.
    665 The Man in Three Animal Forms In a war gets the sword of the king, who gives him his daughter as wife. I. The Hero's Powers. (a) The power of transforming himself into a bird, a fish, and a hare is given to the hero (b) by an old man with whom he divides his last penny, (c) by a… , 665   B515., D1081., D117.2., D1470.1.15., D150., D170., D630., D641., H78.2., K1931.3., N681., Q42.1.
    667 The Boy in Animal Form No examples in the Database yet
    670 The Language of Animals A man learns animal languages. His wife wants to discover his secret. The advice of the cock. Cf. Types 517, 671. I. The Gift of the Snake. A man receives from a grateful snake the power of understanding animal languages. He is not to reveal this… , 670 B216., B350., B491.1., C425., N451., N456., T252.2., T253.1.
    671 The Three Languages The youth learns the languages of dogs, birds, and frogs. Through this knowledge he makes his fortune. The father drives him out for his stupidity and orders him killed, but a compassionate servant substitutes an animal's heart and lets him escape.… , 671 B215.1., B215.2., B215.4., H171.2., K512.2.
    673 The White Snake No examples in the Database yet , 673 B217.1.1., N451.
    674 Incest Averted - Talking Animals A princess, abandoned by or separated from her husband, gives birth to a son. The son is taken from her by trickery and he grows up without knowing who his true mother is. When grown, he sees his mother, falls in love with her [N365.1.1], and goes to her at night hoping to become her lover. On the way he overhears animals (calves) talking [N451] and learns the truth.
    675 The Wish-Fish No examples in the Database yet , 675 B375.1., D1131.1., D1523.1., D1601., D1761.0.1., H481.1., H486., L114.1., L175., S141., T513.
    676 Open Sesame! A poor man observes robbers who enter into a mountain [F721.4]. Uses, like them [N455.3], the words »Open up» [D1552.2] and gets gold from the mountain [N512]. His rich brother tries to do the same thing but is killed [N471]. The rich brother lends…
    677 "Iron Is More Precious than Gold" Hero lets himself fall from the ship to the bottom of the sea, where with the help of this charm he acquires much gold [D1273]. Cf. Type 910B.
    678 The King Transfers his Soul to a Parrot A king has learned how to transfer his soul [E725] to dead bodies, as has his vizier or another servant. The king transfers his soul to a parrot and the vizier transfers his soul to the king's body. The queen determines the truth (she hears of wise…
    681 King in the Bath; Years of Experience This illusion takes place when the king puts his head under water. [D2012.1]. 681 D2012.1.
    700 Tom Thumb Plowing. The king buys the boy. In thieves' company. In the belly of the cow and of the wolf. Cf. Type 327B. I. The Hero's Birth. A childless couple wish for a child, however small he may be; they have a boy the size of a thumb [F535.1.]. II. His… , 700 F535.1., F535.1.1.1., F535.1.1.11., F535.1.1.8., F535.1.1.9., F911.3.1., F913.
    701 The Giant's Toy No examples in the Database yet 701 F531.5.3.
    703 Snow Maiden No examples in the Database yet
    704 The Princess and the Pea A princess is recognized by her inability to sleep in a bed which has a pea under its dozen mattresses. 704 H41.1.
    705 Born of a Fish Cf. Type 303. The king's son finds the speechless maiden in a bird's nest. Marries her. The children are stolen away. She is driven forth by her husband. The riddle. A man receives a magic fish which he shall feed to his wife. Instead, he eats it… , 705 N711., R13.3., S410., T412., T511.5.1., T541.16., T578.

    Showing 1–50 of 73 · Page 1 of 2