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Stith Thompson Motif Index
About this index and how to read it
Stith Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature classifies recurring narrative elements in folktales, myths, legends, ballads and related traditional narratives. Each entry below gives Thompson's motif reference and the description recorded in the index.
The index is large, so this browser displays 250 entries per page. You can search by motif reference or by words in the description, restrict the results to one of Thompson's main letter categories, and click motif references mentioned inside descriptions to follow cross-references. Individual motif pages also show any ATU tale types whose concordance explicitly cites that Thompson reference.
All
A
Mythological Motifs
B
Animal Motifs
C
Motifs of Tabu
D
Magic
E
The Dead
F
Marvels
G
Ogres
H
Tests
J
The Wise and the Foolish
K
Deceptions
L
Reversals of Fortune
M
Ordaining the Future
N
Chance and Fate
P
Society
Q
Rewards and Punishments
R
Captives and Fugitives
S
Unnatural Cruelty
T
Sex
U
The Nature of Life
V
Religion
W
Traits of Character
X
Humor
Z
Miscellaneous Groups of Motifs
| Thompson reference | Description ▲ |
|---|---|
| A2221.1 | Animals blessed for honoring infant Jesus. (Cf. A2231.4, A2356.2.7, A2381.1.)—Dh II 15f., 195ff.; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 86 No. 58c (cross on back of ass).—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 13 No. 67 (hog has good flesh); French: Sébillot France III 256. |
| A1772 | Animals born from primeval mating of snake and person. S. Am. Indian (Tapirapé): Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 253. |
| A2433.1.2 | Animals change their type of dwelling-place. Dh III 215ff. |
| A1714.3 | Animals created from earth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1750 | Animals created through opposition of devil to god. |
| A1705 | Animals created to serve man. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1758 | Animals created while god Mahadeo quarrels with his wife. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1795 | Animals drop from clouds. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2234.2 | Animals eat deity's forbidden fruit: punished. (Cf. A2371.3.1.) —African (Ekoi): Talbot 377. |
| A1793 | Animals emerge from tree. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 287; S. Am. Indian (Warrau): Kirchhoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| A1714.2 | Animals from bark thrown on ground. Borneo: Dixon 176. |
| A1725.2 | Animals from body dirt of deity (hero). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1724.1 | Animals from body of slain person. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1716.1 | Animals from different parts of body of slain giant. Giant person, cow, ox, etc.—Persian: Carnoy 288.—Borneo, Philippines: Dixon 177. |
| A1734 | Animals from frogs sent as one of Egypt's plagues. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1771 | Animals from mating of sun and moon. S. Am. Indian (Jivarу): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 627. |
| A1715.2 | Animals from men transformed for discourtesy to God (Jesus). (Cf. A1831, A1862, A1871.)—*Dh. II 99ff. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1725 | Animals from parts of body of deity or saint. |
| A1715.1 | Animals from Pharaoh's drowned army. From the army crossing the Red Sea came the various animals.—Dh I 318. |
| A1724.1.1 | Animals from severed fingers of woman. (Cf. A2102.)—N. A. Indian: Thompson Tales 272; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1725.1 | Animals from spittle of deity (saint). (Cf. A2181, A2182.)—*DhII 107ff. |
| A1711 | Animals from transformations after deluge or world calamity. S. Am. Indian (Amazon Tribes): Alexander Lat. Am. 311f., Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 367. |
| A1714.1 | Animals from transformed cloth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1724.2 | Animals from transformed hair. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1715 | Animals from transformed man. (Cf. A2005, A2011.2.) Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3115, Balys Legends Nos. 216-219, 261f.; India: Thompson-Balys; Maori: Clark 15; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 422; Raratonga (Cook Island): ibid. 101; Tuomatu: Stimson MS (z-G 3/1100); S. Am. Indian (Tiatinagua): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 449, (Munderucú): Horton ibid. 281, (Cashinawa): Métraux ibid. 685, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 31, 79, (Mataco): Métraux ibid. 64. |
| A1715.4 | Animals from transformed men according to favorite food. One man asks for flesh, one for blood, etc. They are changed to mice, cats, and bugs. (Cf. A1811, A1853.)—Finnish: Aarne FFC XXV 150 No. 71. |
| A1716 | Animals from transformed ogre or giant. Maori: Clark 101. |
| A1724 | Animals from transformed parts of the body (animal or human). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1715.5 | Animals from transformed survivors of shipwreck. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1714 | Animals from various transformed objects. India: Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 22, 465; Eskimo (Kodiak): Golder JAFL 20 171, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 167, 169, (Central Eskimo): Boas RBAE VI, 588, (East Greenland): Rasmussen I, 82, 96, (Ungava): Turner RBAE XI 261, (Labrador): Hawks GSCan XIV 155, (Cape York): Rasmussen III 79; S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 473, (Araucanian): Cooper ibid. (2) 753, (Inca): Rowe ibid. 315, (Cashinawa): Métraux ibid. (3) 684. |
| A2536 | Animals of good omen. |
| A155 | Animals of the gods (cf. A136). Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 109, 216. |
| A2239.5 | Animals punished for assaulting women. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2233.1 | Animals refuse to help dig well (make road) and are punished. *Type 55; *Dh III 312ff., 323. |
| A2233.1.1 | Animals refuse to help dig well: may not drink from river or spring. (Cf. A2435.1.1.)—Type 55; Dh III 312ff.—Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 148 No. 54; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 90 No. 83; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3096, Legends Nos. 176—182. |
| A1422.0.1 | Animals sources of food because they were once unfaithful, disobedient wives of a visitor from god-country. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2433.2.2 | Animals that inhabit water. Dh III 208ff. |
| A2433.2.3 | Animals that live alone. Dh III 210ff. |
| A2433.2.1 | Animals that live in woods. Dh III 204ff. |
| A2433.2.4 | Animals that live with men. Dh III 213ff. |
| A1792 | Animals vomited up by creator. Bushongo: Werner African 144. |
| A2213.3 | Animals' size increased by stretching. (Cf. A2312.1, A2301.)—Dh III 2—5 (fish, bat, flying squirrel, monkey). |
| A1009.2 | Animate and inanimate objects attempt to destroy humanity. S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 158. |
| A2251.1 | Ant carries load as heavy as himself. Defeats bear, raven (or other bird). Various explanations. (Cf. A2435.3.3, A2486.1.)—*Type 280; *Dh III 144. |
| A2221.4 | Ant collects incense and myrrh for Christ: grows thin in middle. (Cf. A2451.1, A2453.1.)—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 93 No. 98. |
| A2214.2 | Ant thrown from heaven: hence narrow waist. God decides dispute between ant and spider in spider's favor. (Cf. A2355.1.2.)—Finnish: Aarne FFC VII 22 No. 124, XXXIII 55 No. 124; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 149 No. 66; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 89 No. 124; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3200, Legends Nos 291—94; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2232.9 | Ants ask God to give them wings: wind blows them away. Cyprus: Hadjioannou 64. |
| A2217 | Appearance of animal from marking or painting. |
| A284.3 | Appearance of thunder-spirit. Eskimo: Rasmussen Myter III 61. |
| A522.2.4 | Aquatic bird as culture hero. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 3. |
| A2091.1 | Arachne transformed to spider: vies with goddess in spinning. Greek: Roscher Lexikon s.v. "Arachne". |
| A52.2.4 | Archangels created on first, angels on third day of creation. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A661.0.1.3 | Archangels Michael and Ariel as porters of two of the doors of heaven. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A33.4.1 | Armadillo as creator's companion. So. Am. Indian (Munderucú): Horton BBAE CXLIII (3) 281. |
| A165.7 | Army of the gods. (cf. A162). Icel.: Herrmann Nordische Mythologie 279 (Einherjar), Neckel Walhall 68ff; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1310 | Arrangement of man's bodily attributes. |
| A119.3 | Arrival of the gods in particular country. Tonga: Gifford 199; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 2, 3, 11. |
| A15.4 | Artisan as creator. |
| A451 | Artisan-god. Irish myth: Cross; Hindu: Keith 50 (Tvastr). |
| A1460.1 | Arts taught man by angel. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A761 | Ascent to stars. People or animals ascend to the sky and become stars.—*Dh I 289.—Estonian: Loorits Grundzüge I 534f.; India: *Thompson-Balys; Korean: Zong in-Sob 14 No. 6; Japanese: Ikeda.—Hawaii: Henry 345; Tonga: Gifford 20; Maori: Clark 50; Australian: Dixon 299; Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 174; S. Am. Indian (Jivaro): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 129, 140f., Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 627, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 34, (Yuracari): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 144, (Eastern Brazil): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (1) 434, (Tapirape): Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 178, (Amyara): Tschopik BBAE CXLIII (2) 571; Ekoi: Talbot 355. |
| A2725.1 | Ash-tree late at distribution of qualities at creation: therefore buds last. (Cf. A2771.1.)—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 95 No. 115. |
| A2721.2.1.1 | Aspen cursed for serving as cross. (Cf. A2762.1.) —England, Scotland: Baughman.* |
| A2239.3 | Ass betrays deity's secret: hence his ugly bray. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2239.6 | Ass has cross on shoulders from being struck by Balaam. (Cf. A2356.2.7.)—England: Baughman. |
| A132.3.3 | Ass-god. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1310.2 | Assembling the body. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A167 | Assembly of gods. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 310, II 958, 1098. |
| A1440.1 | Assignment of crafts and professions: creator opens shop and from it distributes plough, pen, bottle, pair of scales, fishing-net and loom to various groups. India: Thompson-Balys.. |
| A1422 | Assignment of edible animals. Certain animals may be eaten by man.—Hebrew: Leviticus ch 11; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 78, 149, (Hottentot): Bleek 73 No. 34. |
| A2435.1 | Assignment of food to animal. Circassian: Nicolaides and Carnoy RTP I 80. |
| A1420.6 | At beginning people start to eat the earth. Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 56. |
| A722.9 | At dawn sun comes to play with the moon. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A842 | Atlas. A man supports the earth on his shoulders.—Greek: Fox 88, *Grote I 70; Gaster Oldest Stories 129.—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 286 n. 56b; Chibcha: Alexander Lat. Am. 203. |
| A165 | Attendants and servants of the gods. Greek: Grote I 10, 67; Icel.: *Boberg (A165.3); Jewish: *Neuman; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 964f.; Hindu: *Penzer I 200, X 158 s.v. "Ganas", "Gandharvas". |
| A152.4 | Attendants around God's throne. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1651.0.1 | Attitude to untouchables. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A738 | Attributes of sun. |
| A2213.2.3 | Baboon pressed on hot, flat rock: hence bald place on his back. (Cf. A2317.10.)—Africa (Hottentot): Bleek 39 No. 19; Indonesian: De Vries's list No. 74. |
| A2416.1 | Bad smell of goat. (See A2232.5.)—Dh III 233; Fb "gjedebuk" IV 178b.—Ibo (Nigeria): Thomas 125; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 226, (Cameroon): Mansfield 227. |
| A2416.3 | Bad smell of skunk. Dh III 233.—Central America: Krickeberg Märchen der Azteken und Inkaperuaner 254. |
| A1371.1 | Bad women because of head exchanged with devil. Devil (serpent) and woman fight. St. Peter cuts off their heads and exchanges them.—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 83 No. 11b.; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3047, Balys Legends Nos. 82-93. |
| A1371.2 | Bad women combination of nine different animals. Stiefel Zs. f. Vksk. VIII 163. |
| A1371.3 | Bad women from transformed hog and goose. Peter, having only one daughter, foolishly promises her to three men. He asks the Lord to create two others. This request is granted. The first creature he meets on two successive mornings he is to greet, and they will be transformed. He meets a hog and a goose. His two new daughters have these characteristics.—*Dh II 191ff.; Fb "sø" III 449b.; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 411. |
| A751.9.2 | Bag in the moon. Samoa: Clark 89. |
| A435.1 | Bamboo goddess. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A106.2.1.1 | Banished devil appears on earth only on day of dark moon. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A153.3 | Banquets of the gods. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 23; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Werner 137.—So. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 178. |
| A2751 | Bark of plant. |
| A2721.8 | Barren trees as punishment of earth for disobedience at man's fall. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2214.6 | Bat falls from high perch due to extreme heat of sun's rays, breaks bones, etc. Hence peculiar feet and nose. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2275.5.3 | Bat, diver, and thornbush shipwrecked. Bat brought money, bush put on clothes, and diver brought leather. All shipwrecked. Diver is looking for his leather. Bush looks for his clothers and holds fast to all passers-by. Bat is abroad only at night to escape creditors. (Cf. A2471.4, A2491.1.)—*Dh IV 273f; *BP I 137. (Gr. No. 18).—Wienert FFC LVI 35; Halm Aesop No. 306. |
| A2301.4 | Bat's body made larger. (See A2213.3.)—Dh III 4. |
| A1080 | Battle at end of world. Armageddon.—Revelations 16:16; Fb "krig" II 296b.; Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman, Moreno Esdras (N307.13). |
| A162.6 | Battle between God's orderly (giant) and plague. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1082.7 | Battle of angels with Leviathan and Behemoth at end of world. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A964.3 | Battle of demons: hills torn up. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1082.1 | Battle of gods and giants at end of world. *Olrik Ragnarök 480 s.v. "Götterschlacht". |
| A1082 | Battle of gods and monster at end of world. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1082.6 | Battle of saints with Lucifer at end of world. *Hdwb. d. Abergl. II 781ff.; Lithuanian: Balys Tautosakos Darbai VI 133f. |
| A1081 | Battle of the gods at end of world. *Olrik Ragnarök 480 s.v. "Götterschlacht". |
| A733.4 | Beams of light are snares with which sun is tied to earth. Cf. A728.—Maori: Clark 46. |
| A2741.1 | Bean laughs till it splits: cause of black stripe. (Cf. A2793.1, F1025.1.)—Type 295.—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 90 No. 126a; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 95 No. 121. |
| A2216.1 | Bear fishes through ice with tail: hence lacks tail. (Cf. A2378.2.4.) —*Type 2; Dh III 49.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 14 No. 78; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 146 No. 42; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 86 No. 78; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| A132.5 | Bear-god (goddess). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2432.6 | Bear's den. Kaska: Teit JAFL XXX 444. |
| A152.7 | Bearers of God's throne. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A165.2.1.1.4 | Bears as God's messengers. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A13.1 | Beast as creator. |
| A33.1 | Beast as creator's companion. |
| A522.1 | Beast as culture hero. |
| A417.1 | Beast guardians of the four quarters. Hindu: Penzer VIII 75f., 108 n. 1 (elephants).—Sia: Alexander N. Am. 203. |
| A125.4 | Beautiful goddess. So. Am. Indian (Huarochiri): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 169. |
| A1664 | Beauty of various peoples. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2247.6 | Beaver and muskrat exchange tails. Malecite: Speck JAFL XXX 481f. |
| A2241.10 | Beaver borrows muskrat's tail and never gives it back. Menomini: Skinner and Satterlee PaAM XIII 405. |
| A2432.3 | Beaver's dwelling. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 246. |
| A33.3.1 | Bee as God's spy. God, the creator, sends a bee to overhear the devil's secrets.—*Dh I 3, 127ff. |
| A2432.8 | Bee's hive. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2232.2 | Bees pray for sting: punishment, first sting suicidal. (Cf. A2346.1.)—Dh IV 266; Wienert FFC LVI 77 (ET 434), 110 (ST 216); Halm Aesop No. 287. |
| A2231.3.2 | Bees work on Sabbath: may not get honey from red clover. (Cf. A2435.5.1.)—*Dh III 306ff.—North Carolina: Brown Collection I 634. |
| A13.3.2 | Beetle as creator. So. Am. Indian (Lengua): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 367. |
| A2231.7.1.1 | Beetle cursed for betraying Holy Family on way to Egypt; beetle now has its eyes always on the ground. Ireland, Scotland: *Baughman. |
| A2231.11 | Beetle demands return of gold from God: must hum. In his overweening pride he hits fence and ever afterward has hummed. (Cf. A2426.3.1.)—Dh. III 376.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 22 No. 121. |
| A2232.3 | Beetle makes immoderate request; ant moderate: inverse awards. Creator hears wishes of animals. Beetle wants strong, noble appearance. Ant is modest. Beetle punished by being made to creep on ground. Ant is given own castle. (Cf. A2441.3.1.) Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 92 No. 97. |
| A2426.3.1 | Beetle's hum. (See A2231.11.) |
| A2021.1 | Beetle's special sacredness. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1472 | Beginning of division of labor. |
| A1556.1 | Beginning of law against rape. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1470 | Beginning of social relationships. |
| A1330 | Beginnings of trouble for man. Shasta and Athapascan: Frachtenberg JAFL XXVIII 225; Africa (Congo): Weeks 205. |
| A1053 | Behavior of moon at end of world. |
| A1051 | Behavior of stars at end of world. |
| A1052 | Behavior of sun at end of world. |
| A1211.3.1 | Being made from spittle of the gods. Icel.: De la Saussaye 233. |
| A671.6 | Beings born in hell have long bodies and cling with long nails to walls. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 786. |
| A659.2 | Big lake under the earth. S. Am. Indian (Chamacoco): Métraux MAFLS XL 25. |
| A13.2 | Bird as creator. Hawaii: Henry Ancient Tahiti 345. |
| A33.2 | Bird as creator's companion. India: Thompson-Balys; Sumatra: Dixon 160; Samoa, Tonga: ibid. *164 n. 33, 34. |
| A522.2 | Bird as culture hero. |
| A1414.6 | Bird as guardian of primordial fire. S. Am. Indian (Apapocuvú-Guaraní): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 171. |
| A195.3 | Bird as the shadow of a god. Tahiti: Henry 121. |
| A2223.2 | Bird carries deity (his daughter) home from land of skulls: given brilliant plumage. (Cf. A2313.4, A2321.6, A2421.5.)—African (Ekoi): Talbot 276. |
| A2254 | Bird characteristics from flying contests. German: Grimm No. 171. |
| A2221.6.1 | Bird coloring as reward for obedience to deity. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A132.6 | Bird deity. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2229.6 | Bird has red spot on its tail as reward for having moved woman's organ to its present position. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2233.4.1 | Bird neglects to build nest: goes without. (Cf. A2431.2.)—Dh. III 202ff. |
| A1021.2 | Bird scouts sent out from ark. *Dh I 283.—Irish myth: Cross; Hebrew: Genesis 8:7ff., Neuman; Babylonian: Spence 176. |
| A132.6.1 | Bird-god. Irish myth: Cross.—Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 91ff., 370. |
| A165.2.2 | Birds as messengers of the gods. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys; Pawnee: Alexander N. Am. 81; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 177. |
| A2211.7 | Birds cling to sky in flood: cause of tail colors. (Cf. A2412.2.)—N. Am. Indian: *Thompson Tales 287 n. 57a. |
| A1028.2 | Birds fill sea with dirt and overcome flood. S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 473. |
| A671.2.11 | Birds made of iron in hell. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A155.3 | Birds of the gods. (cf. A165.1.1.). Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 36f., 115, 177. |
| A2217.1 | Birds painted their present colors. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3158; N. Am. Indian: *Boas RBAE XXXI 664, (Tahltan): Teit JAFL XXXII 208 No. 1 (10), (Cherokee): Alexander N. Am. 66 (robin redbreast). |
| A2232.6 | Birds who aspire to blackbird's coat punished. (Cf. A2412.2.2.)—Ila (Rhodesia); Smith and Dale 351 No. 6. |
| A2431 | Birds' nests. (Cf. A2486.) |
| A511 | Birth and rearing of culture hero (demigod). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A511.1 | Birth of culture hero. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 227. |
| A511.1.4.3 | Birth of culture heroes from human bones swallowed by jaguar's human wife. S. Am. Indian (Bacairi): Levi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 347. |
| A112 | Birth of gods. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1070.1 | Birth of monsters as sign at end of world. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (M307.7). |
| A1965.1 | Bittern from Pilate transformed. (Cf. A1710.)—Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 148 No. 56. |
| A1965.2 | Bittern from transformed shepherd. (Cf. A1710, A2261.1.)—*BP III 286 (Gr. No. 173); Dh III 394. |
| A2426.2.3 | Bittern's song. (See A2261.1, A2275.3.) |
| A123.7.2 | Black god(dess). Icel.: *Boberg, MacCulloch Eddic 304; W. Golther Deutsche Myth. (1895) 473f. (Hell); Hindu: Keith 126 (Krsna). |
| A1614.8 | Black tribe because woman is put on fire. S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 175. |
| A13.2.3 | Black-winged bird as creator. Greek: Fox 4. |
| A1002.2.2 | Bleeding wood as sign of Doomsday. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (M307.3.). |
| A128.1 | Blind god. Hödhr.—Icel.: Boberg, De la Saussaye 268.—India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Werner 284. |
| A2221.2.2 | Blood from cross on robin redbreast: He helps Jesus; rewarded with red breast. (Cf. A2353.2.)—Fb "rodkjælk".—Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 54 No. 92**; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 90 No. 82; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 87 No. 92**; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3130, Legends Nos. 229ff.; England: Baughman. |
| A2731.3 | Blood from wizard becomes red grain of cedar. Bleeding head of wizard who tries to kill the sun placed on top of a tree. (Cf. A2755.1.)—Yuchi: Alexander N. Am. 64. |
| A2221.2.3 | Blood of scourged Christ on certain spiders. (Cf. A2411.3.2.) —Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 89 No. 122a. |
| A522.2.1 | Blue Jay as culture hero. N. A. Indian: Boas RBAE XXXI 646 and passim. |
| A2442.2.4 | Bluejay's flight. Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 348 No. 2. |
| A723 | Boat of the sun. Egyptian: Müller 26; Icel.: cf. Du Chaillu The Viking Age 100ff., 107; Almgren Hällristningar och Kultbruk (Stockholm, 1926—27) passim. |
| A911 | Bodies of water from tears. (Cf. A901, A920.1.5, A941.2, A1012.) —Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 135; Nebraska: Pound WF VI 305—316; Finnish: Kalevala rune 4; African (Upoto): Einstein 127. |
| A910.3 | Bodies of water in primitive abyss sink. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A910.4 | Bodies of water remnant of flood. S. A. Indian (Tupinamba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 133. |
| A1152 | Boneless man turned over to produce seasons. N. A. Indian: Thompson Tales 276 n. 16. |
| A2215.3 | Bowl placed on turtle's back: hence his shell. (Cf. A2312.1.) —British New Guinea: Dixon 145. |
| A2241.8 | Boy borrows python's hands and feet: hence python lacks them. (Cf. A2371.3.1.)—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 374. |
| A1.4 | Brahma as creator.—Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 338. |
| A162.4 | Brahma cursed by other gods: now has no temples. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A697.1 | Brahma world. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 796. |
| A142.1 | Brazier of the gods. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A941.6 | Breaking forth of springs partial cause of Flood. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1121 | Breathing of deity (spirit) causes winds. Chinese: Werner 77; Maori: Clark 19; Eskimo (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 175, (Labrador): Hawkes GSCan XIV 153, (Ungava): Turner RBAE XI 267; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 28. |
| A657.1 | Bridge connecting earth and heaven. Icel.: Boberg. |
| A661.0.5 | Bridge of heaven. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A986 | Bridge of the Gods. A conflict of the gods breaks a primeval bridge and thus causes a rapid in a river (the Columbia River at The Dalles, Oregon).—Salishan: Alexander N. Am. 134. |
| A1028 | Bringing deluge to end. |
| A1552.3 | Brother-sister marriage of children of first parents. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 68. |
| A164.1 | Brother-sister marriage of the gods. Irish myth: Cross; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 102; Greek: Grote I 58; Marquesas: Handy 122. |
| A15.2 | Brothers as creators. So. Am. Indian (Guaporé River): Levi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 379. |
| A2771 | Budding and bearing of plant. |
| A2247.1 | Buffalo and cow exchange hides: hence bad fitting hides. (Cf. A2311.6.)—Indonesian: *De Vries's list No. 97. |
| A2211.12 | Buffalo helps tiger quench fire: white mark left on buffalo's neck where tiger held on while being ducked in water. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1714.3.1 | Buffaloes emerge from earth, the first man holding the tail of last one. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2231.12 | Buffaloes fail to come at god's leavetaking: now are killed by tigers. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A132.9 | Bull-god. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1591.1 | Burial learned from watching raven bury its dead. Dh I 249. |
| A671.2.4.4 | Burning plains in hell. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2416.2 | Burnt smell of mink. Dh III 234. |
| A2416.4 | Burnt smell of wolverine. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 248. |
| A2741.4 | Bush loses clothes in shipwreck: hence catches passerby looking for clothes. (Cf. A2792.1.)—See A2275.5.3. |
| A2216.4 | Bush-rat bites off tortoise's tail: hence tortoise's short tail. (Cf. A2378.4.4.)—Ibo (Nigeria): Thomas 70. |
| A2284.2 | Bustard persuaded to kill all but two children: has but two eggs. (Cf. A2486.2.)—Australian: Dixon 289. |
| A2426.2.13 | Cackling of guinea hen. North Carolina: Brown Collection I 634. |
| A988 | Cairn marks burial place. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1003 | Calamity as punishment for sin. Jewish: *Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Maori: Beckwith Myth 317; S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 158. |
| A2232.1 | Camel asks for horns: punishment, short ears. (Cf. A2325.4.)—Dh IV 265f.; *Köhler-Bolte I 579; *Crane Vitry 148f. No. 37; Jewish: Neuman; *Chauvin II 110 No. 76, 118 No. 102 (ass), Sébillot RTP II 492; Wienert FFC LVI 78 (ET 437); 109 (ST 215, 389); Halm Aesop No. 184. |
| A153.8 | Cannibal gods. (cf. G11.). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2615.3 | Canoe transformed into coconut tree. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 232. |
| A1346.2.4 | Canoes at one time self-propelling. Marshall Is.: Davenport 222. |
| A511.2 | Care of culture hero. |
| A143 | Carpenter (wright) of the gods. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2435.4.5.1 | Carrion as food of vultures. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A1651.2 | Caste determined by what kind of tree one catches while crossing a river. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2236.8 | Cat commanded to pray so as not to slay man: why cat purrs. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3121. Legends Nos. 222ff. |
| A1811.1 | Cat from transformed eagle. Eagle mistakes stick of wood for fish and gets feet caught. Wind blows off feathers and makes hair. (Cf. A1710.)—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 11 No. 54. |
| A2281.1.1 | Cat garbles message from man to tiger: enmity between man and tiger. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2223.1 | Cat helps man build house: may occupy chimney corner. (Cf. A2233.2, A2433.3.1.)—Dh III 203f. |
| A2281.1 | Cat loses dog's certificate: enmity between cats and dogs. Dog is given a certificate of nobility. Through cat's carelessness it is lost. (Cf. A2275.5, A2494.1.2.) *Type 200.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 11 No. 53; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 143 No. 30; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 88 No. 61; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 85 No. 53. |
| A1811.3 | Cat of divine origin; is really praying when he purrs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2433.3.1 | Cat's characteristic haunt. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2261.3.1 | Catfish transformed from children still carry marks of children's knife holder. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2261.3 | Catfish transformed from woman still carries women's tatoo marks. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A732.1 | Cattle and sheep of the sun. 350 of each (= days and nights of the lunar year).—Greek: Fox 242. |
| A155.1 | Cattle of the sun. Greek: Fox 137. |
| A2200 | Cause of animal characteristics. See "Register" to Dähnhardt (III 537ff.); also articles scattered through RTP, e. g., V 244, VI, 314, 473, VII 479, VIII 557, IX 165, 491, 646, X 26, 176, 301, 363, XII 667, XIII 344, XIV 379, XV 425, XVI 445, XVII 150, 344, 578.—Jewish: Neuman; Australian: Dixon 290; Miwok: Powers CNAE III 359; Karok: ibid. 36; Alsea: Frachtenberg BBAE LXVII 47ff.; Southern Ute: Lowie JAFL XXXVII 14 No. 6. |
| A2401 | Cause of animal's beauty. |
| A2402 | Cause of animal's ugliness. |
| A2441.2 | Cause of bird's walk. |
| A2441.1.10 | Cause of cat's walk. Dh III 229. |
| A2441.4.4 | Cause of chameleon's movement. Dh III 222.—Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2344.3 | Cause of color of animal's tongue. |
| A2441.4.2 | Cause of crab's walk. Dh III 219ff. |
| A2441.1.3 | Cause of dog's walk. Dh III 221. |
| A1145 | Cause of earthquakes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A737.2 | Cause of eclipses: mother's curse laid upon her third son. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2441.1.7 | Cause of elephant's walk. Dh III 226.—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2441.3.2 | Cause of flea's movement. Dh III 222f. |
| A2441.3.3 | Cause of fly's movement. Dh III 227. |
| A2441.1.11 | Cause of hare's hopping gait. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2441.1.4 | Cause of hyena's walk. Dh III 223. |
| A2441.3 | Cause of insect's walk. |
| A2441.1.9 | Cause of leopard's walk. Dh III 228. |
| A2441.1.1 | Cause of monkey's walk. Dh III 223, 229.—Africa (Fang): Trilles 179. |
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