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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 ▲ |
|---|---|
| D1365.11 | "Brain of forgetfulness" lost by person in battle. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2102.4 | "Golden" son of supernatural bride of king has the power of producing gold and gold buildings, ornaments etc. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1361.7 | "Hand of glory" renders light invisible. Candles of human fat from dead man's hand make light invisible except to man holding it. (Cf. D1162.2.1.)—Penzer III 150; *Fb "tyvefinger" III 917b. |
| D1813.3 | "Knowledge tooth" reveals events in distant place. (Cf. D1810.3.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1379.5 | "Milk-medicine" causes milk to appear in woman's breast. (Cf. D1241.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D682.4.2 | "Spirit of poetry" as hideous youth becomes beautiful. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1856.1.1 | "The Two Sorrows of the Kingdom of Heaven": Elijah and Enoch pass to otherworld without dying. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1442.8 | "Witch bone" enables possessor to control animals in any way he wishes. England: Baughman. |
| D1731.3 | (Dream of) rock-casting contest. (Cf. A966.1, D931.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1273.1.7.1 | 101 as magic number. French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 9. |
| D1273.1.7.2 | 9999 as magic number. Persian: Carnoy 327. |
| D471.9 | A candle becomes stone. *Loomis White Magic 81. |
| D2147.3 | A cloud evoked by a saint. *Loomis White Magic 41. |
| D475.5 | A cup of marble changed into one of crystal. *Loomis White Magic 81. |
| D1381.3.3 | A protective garment which spears could not penetrate. (Cf. D1052.) *Loomis White Magic 123. |
| D2188.1 | Ability to disappear or appear at will. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1825.3.4.1 | Ability to see angel of God. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1825.3.4 | Ability to see heavenly beings. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1825.3.4.2 | Ability to see messengers of Pluto. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D829 | Acquisition of magic object—miscellaneous. |
| D1739 | Acquisition of magic power—miscellaneous. |
| D1720 | Acquisition of magic powers. (Cf. D810.) Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 461, Rasmussen II 222, III 111. |
| D1733 | Acts producing magic power. |
| D2199 | Additional magic manifestations. |
| D699 | Additional transformation motifs. |
| D1814.2 | Advice from dream. (Cf. D1810.8.) Irish myth: *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1814.3 | Advice from God (or gods). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1814.1 | Advice from magician (fortune-teller, etc.). (Cf. D1711, D1810.0.2, D1817.) Irish myth: *Cross; English: Wells 39 (Nennius Historia Britonum); Greek: Grote I 249. |
| D1711.6.2 | Aesculapius as magician. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1599.2 | Air made fragrant with odors of flowers by spell. (Cf. D1273.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1601.23 | Ale serves itself. (Cf. D1045.1.) Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D2161.6.1 | All diseases healed at birth of Christ. (Cf. V211.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1395.8 | All fetters loosed on the night of Christ's Nativity. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2088.0.1 | All locks opened on the night of Christ's Nativity. (Cf. D1557.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1731.2.2 | All nature composed of food in vision. (Cf. V514, X1503.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1812.3.3.5.1 | Allegorical dream: ripe and unripe ears, fat and lean kine. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1819.4.2 | Alphabet written on cake learned by eating it. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1711.10.6 | Amalekites as magicians. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1711.10.5 | Amonites as magicians. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1501.6 | Amulet assists in childbearing. (Cf. D1070.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1504.2 | Amulet cures nosebleed. (Cf. D1070.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D489.2 | Amulet enlarged to become cloak. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1342.5 | Amulet guarantees health. (Cf. D1070.) Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 424. |
| D1385.24 | Amulet guards against sorcery. (Cf. D1070.) India: Thompson-Balys; Eskimo (Greenland): Holm 54, Rink 151, (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 511. |
| D1548.0.1 | Amulet has control over weather. (Cf. D1070.) Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 459. Rasmussen II 175. |
| D1387.1 | Amulet preserves chastity. (Cf. D1070.) Dickson 53 n. 62. |
| D1344.3 | Amulet renders invulnerable. (Cf. D1070.)—De Cock Studien 156. |
| D1392.1 | Amulet saves one from death. (Cf. D1070.) Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen I 187, III 114, 211, 216, Rink 168. |
| D2082.2 | Anchorite consumes tree by one blast of his fiery breath. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2148.1 | Angel causes earth to quake, releasing prisoners for saint. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D812.10.0.1 | Angel reveals location of magic object. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D631.4.2 | Angels change size at will. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D487 | Animal becomes larger. |
| D2038 | Animal becomes magically larger. |
| D1812.5.1.12 | Animal behavior as bad omen. |
| D437.2 | Animal bone transforms self to person. Papua: Ker 13. |
| D2161.4.6 | Animal buried alive to cure disease. Kittredge Witchcraft 95ff., 424f. nn. 146—154; *Fb "levende" II 403b—404; Feilberg Levende begravet (Aarbog for dansk kulturhistorie 1892). |
| D2161.4.7 | Animal burned to cure disease. Especially for disease among animals. Kittredge Witchcraft 95ff., 426f. nn. 155—169. |
| D621.1 | Animal by day; man by night. *Types 425, 552A; *Köhler-Bolte I 315ff.; *Fb "hund" I 678a, "bjørn" IV 43a.—Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: Hrуlfs saga Kraka 50; Spanish: *Boggs FFC XC 62 No. 451; Bohemian: Hartland Science 246.—India: *Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 135; Mangaia (Polynesia), Samoa, Union Group, Tahiti: Dixon 55f.; Melanesian, Indonesian: ibid. 56 nn. 75, 76; N. A. Indian: Thompson Tales 347 nn. 247, 248; S. A. Indian (Arawak): Jijena Sanchez 23. |
| D1505.13 | Animal excreta cures blindness. (Cf. D1026.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1505.14 | Animal liver cures blindness. (Cf. D1015.4.) Chinese-Persian: *Coyajee JPASB XXIV 187. |
| D2072.0.2 | Animal rendered immovable. |
| D412.5.4 | Animal that is hound by day, sheep by night. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D43.1 | Animal transformed to a god. |
| D682.3.2 | Animal with human eyes. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D631.2 | Animal's size changed at will. Eskimo (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 516. |
| D2061.2.2.7 | Animals abused or destroyed to cause death of person. England: *Baughman. |
| D2178.4 | Animals created by magic. India: Thompson-Balys; Eskimo (Mackenzie Area): Jenness 42. |
| D682.3.1 | Animals in human form retain animal food and habits. Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 456, Rasmussen III 73, (Smith Sound): Kroeber JAFL XII 173, (Central Eskimo): Boas BAM XV 217. |
| D2074.1 | Animals magically called. (Cf. D1440, D2156.) *Toldo VIII 21; Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: Þiðriks saga II 271—75, Boberg; Jewish: Neuman; Eskimo (West Hudson Bay): Boas BAM XV 324. |
| D2089.3 | Animals magically stricken dead. (Cf. D2060.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2106.1.2 | Animals miraculously multiplied. *Loomis White Magic 87. |
| D2074.2.4.2 | Animals summoned by pronouncing their names. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D471.8 | Animals turned into stones. *Loomis White Magic 80f. |
| D1515.4 | Antidote for snakebite. (Cf. D1515.2.1.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1413.10 | Anvil to which one sticks. (Cf. D1202.) Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "enclume". |
| D1935 | Any work touched automatically done. |
| D1927 | Appetite magically diminished. (Cf. V221.10.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1651.10 | Apple (or ball) containing man's soul can be split only by man's own sword. (Cf. D981.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1364.4.1 | Apple causes magic sleep. (Cf. D981.1.)—*Types 400, 590, 709; *BP I 463, II 346, III 1; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1905.2 | Apple divided and eaten as love charm. (Cf. D1355.7.) *Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Baum". |
| D1346.6.2 | Apple of immortality. (Cf. D981.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1355.7 | Apple produces love. (Cf. D981.1.)—*Fb "æble" III 1135a. —English: Child I 364; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D2157.3.1 | Apple trees bear as result of saint's blessing. (Cf. D950, D981.1, F971.4.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1658.1.5 | Apple-tree grateful for being shaken. (Cf. D950, D1610.2.0.1.) *Type 480, 510; *BP I 208ff., 227; Fb "træ" III 867b; Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Baum". |
| D1318.18 | Apples which grow from tree under which murder was done have red centers. (Cf. D981.1.) U.S.: Baughman. |
| D2031.8 | Armies separated with illusion that each has won object of contention. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1400.1.15 | Armor gives victory. (Cf. D1101.) Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1381.8 | Arms that protect from attack. (Cf. D1080.) English: Wells 132 (Sir Launfal); Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2091.13 | Army stopped by saint's curse. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2143.1.12 | Arrival of saint brings rain to rainless land. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1654.4.2 | Arrow can be moved only by owner. (Cf. D1092.) Seneca: Curtin-Hewitt RBAE XXXII 318 No. 58, 514 No. 109. |
| D1602.16 | Arrow shot at bull returns to shooter. (Cf. D1092.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1314.1.6 | Arrow shot into air discovers iron pit.—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1314.1.5 | Arrow shot to determine burial place. English: Child I 185. III 106. |
| D1314.1.7 | Arrow shot to discover direction of attacking army. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1093.1.1 | Arrows returned upon those who shoot saint. *Loomis White Magic 114. |
| D1402.7.5.1 | Arrows rubbed with black chicken fatal. Chinese: Graham. |
| D1612.6.2 | Arrows shake when master is disturbed. (Cf. D1092.) Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 105. |
| D1626.1 | Artificial flying horse. (Cf. D1620.2.1.) *Jones PMLA XXIII 563; *Clouston Magical Elements in Squire's Tale (Chaucer Soc. Pub. 2d Ser. No. 26) 279ff. passim; Dickson 217; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1385.2.5 | Ash (quicken, rowan) protects against spells and enchantment. (Cf. D950.6, D1311.4.1.1.) |
| D1311.4.1.1 | Ash (quicken, rowan) used (by druids) for divinations. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1500.4.6 | Ashes cause leprosy. (Cf. D931.1.2.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1469.10.1 | Ashes from burned snake-woman's body will turn anything into gold. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D103 | Assembly or group transformed to animals. N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 98. |
| D1712.0.1 | Astrologer-magician. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1846.4.1 | Attainment of invulnerability through magic bath. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1846 | Attainment of invulnerability. (Cf. D1840.) *Fb "hеrd" I 772b; Icelandic: *Boberg; Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 125, 138. |
| D830.1 | Attempt to learn about magic object by spying. Chinese: Graham. |
| D790 | Attendant circumstances of disenchantment. |
| D799.3 | Attendants of disenchanted person automatically disenchanted. German: Grimm Nos. 50, 106, 127, 169, 179. |
| D2074 | Attracting by magic. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1812.5.0.8.1 | Auguries from movement of animal. (Cf. B563.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1639.1 | Automata as door-keepers. Penzer IX 149; *Dickson 197 n. 84. |
| D1639 | Automata: other motifs. |
| D1601.30 | Automatic arrows. (Cf. D1092.) Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1620.2.9 | Automatic brazen serpent. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1601.9.1 | Automatic broom. (Cf. D1209.8.) German: Grimm No. 42. |
| D1601.5 | Automatic cudgel. (Cf. D1094.) *Type 563; BP I 349ff.; Aarne JSFO XXVII 1—96 passim; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1620.0.1 | Automatic doll. (Cf. D1268.) BP II 527.—Hindu: Tawney I 257. |
| D1620.2.5 | Automatic figures on harp—birds, serpents, hounds. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1601.24 | Automatic fire tongs. Scotland: Campbell-McKay No. 22. |
| D1620.0.1.1 | Automatic gold-spinning doll. Italian: Basile introduction. |
| D1601.5.2 | Automatic hammer kills enemy. (Cf. D1209.4.) Africa (Fang): Trilles Proverbes 202. |
| D1620.2.2 | Automatic hen and chickens of gold. Jones PMLA XXIII 563.—Italian: Basile introduction. |
| D1609 | Automatic magic objects—miscellaneous. |
| D1620.2.6 | Automatic metal (jewel) fish. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1523.2.1 | Automatic oar. (Cf. D1124.) Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "aviron". |
| D1600 | Automatic object. |
| D1601.15 | Automatic shovel. (Cf. D1205.) Fb "redskab" III 30a, "skovl" III 301b. |
| D1620.0.1.2 | Automatic singing doll. (Cf. D1615.) Italian: Basile introduction. |
| D1601.4.2 | Automatic spear. (Cf. D1084, D1400.1.7.) Irish myth: *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1620.2 | Automatic statue of animal. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1620.2.8 | Automatic statue of dog. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1620.2.1 | Automatic statue of horse. (Cf. D1626.1.) Chauvin V 200 No. 117; Jones PMLA XXIII 563; *Köhler-Bolte I 412.—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1620.1.2 | Automatic statue of horseman. Chauvin V 200 No. 117. |
| D1620.2.4 | Automatic statue of lion. Jewish: Gaster Exempla 209 No. 115, Neuman. |
| D1620.1 | Automatic statue of man. Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: Neuman; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 230f. |
| D1620.1.1 | Automatic statue of trumpeter. Jones PMLA XXIII 563. |
| D1601.4.1 | Automatic sword. (Cf. D1081, D1400.1.4.) MacCulloch Childhood 202; Icelandic: Boberg; Cape Verde Islands: Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 354. |
| D1601.4 | Automatic weapon. (Cf. D1081.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1601.17 | Automatic whip. (Cf. D1208.) Africa (Benga): Nassau No. 11, (Cameroon): Rosenhuber 52. |
| D2071.1 | Averting Evil Eye. See references for D1070, Magic ornaments, a large number of which are used to keep off the Evil Eye. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1385.5.2 | Axe driven into house entrance keeps werwolf out. (Cf. D1206.) Jijena Sanchez 35. |
| D1841.5.3 | Axe will not cut man, however much he strikes himself. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1711.1.3 | Baalam as master of magicians. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1711.11.1 | Baalam's family as magicians. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D476.3.2.1 | Bacon changed to different foods. Loomis White Magic 79; Irish myth: *Cross (D479.5.1). |
| D476.3.2 | Bacon changed to iron. Irish myth: Cross (D479.5). |
| D2161.3.9 | Bad breath magically cured. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1812.5.1.2 | Bad dream as evil omen. (Cf. D1810.8, D1812.3.3, D1813.1.) Dickson 74, 225.—Irish myth: *Cross; English: Wells 9 (King Horn), 31 (Geoffrey's life of Arthur), 33 (Layamon's Brut), 48 (Lancelot of the Laik), 89 (The Sege of Melayne), 92 (The Song of Roland), 122 (The King of Tars); Icelandic: Herrmann Saxo II 233, *Boberg; Italian Novella: Rotunda; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1812.5.1.8 | Bad omen for two bridal processions to meet. Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 135 No. 91. |
| D1812.5.1.7.1 | Bad omen: greeting one before dawn. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1812.5.1.22 | Bad omen: seeing unusual sight on road home. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1812.5.1 | Bad omens. *Penzer III 46, 86, X 251 s.v. "Omen, evil."; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D565.9 | Bag of stones becomes auks on touching ground. Eskimo (Smith Sound): Kroeber JAFL XII 172. |
| D2161.3.4 | Baldness magically cured. |
| D1612.1.2 | Banana tree tells who cut its branches. (Cf. D950.) Easter Island: Métraux Ethnologie 364. |
| D1641.16 | Bananas run and hide when stone is thrown at them. (Cf. D981.13.) Easter Island: Métraux Ethnology 375. |
| D475.1.3.1 | Banyan leaves turn to gold. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 1262. |
| D2161.4.9 | Baptism as magic cure. (Cf. V81.) Kittredge Witchcraft 145, 464 n. 61; England: Baughman. |
| D1355.2.1.1 | Baptismal water as love-philtre. (Cf. D1242.1.1.) —Kittredge Witchcraft 470 nn. 123—125. |
| D1242.1.1 | Baptismal water as magic object. *Kittredge Witchcraft 150f., 470 nn. 117—125; England: Baughman. |
| D1500.1.18.2 | Baptismal water as remedy. (Cf. D1242.1.1.) Kittredge Witchcraft 150f., 470 nn. 117—122; England: Baughman. |
| D2161.4.19.1 | Barber begins to recover after he reveals raja's secret. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2004.10 | Barking of brazen dogs causes forgetfulness. (Cf. D1620.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1310.4.3 | Barley plant droops if prince is in trouble. (Cf. D965.15.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2161.3.11 | Barrenness magically cured. (Cf. D1347.2, D1501.1, D1925.1.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1925.2 | Barrenness removed by bathing. *Hartland Paternity I 77ff.; Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1925.1 | Barrenness removed by eating or drinking. *Hartland Paternity I 30ff.; Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1925.3 | Barrenness removed by prayer. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1925.4 | Barrenness removed by saint's blessing. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1413.7 | Basin to which one sticks. (Cf. D1171.12.) *BP II 40 n. 2. |
| D1502.5.1 | Bath in blood of king as cure for mange. (Cf. D1500.1.9.4, F872.3.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1500.1.7.3.4 | Bath in blood of king as remedy. Irish myth: *Cross (D1500.1.9.4). |
| D1841.2.2 | Bath in boiling oil, pitch, or melted lead does not hurt a saint. *Loomis White Magic 33. |
| D1338.4 | Bath in magic milk rejuvenates. (Cf. D1080.)—Köhler-Bolte I 468 (boiling milk); Dh II 154. |
| D1515.3 | Bath in milk of white, hornless cows as antidote for poison. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1337.1.3.1 | Bathing hair in buffalo milk makes it unusually long. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1337.1.4 | Bathing in magic cauldron gives beauty. (Cf. D1171.2.) —Norwegian: Dasent 281. |
| D1335.8 | Bathing in magic cauldron gives strength. (Cf. D1171.2.) —Norwegian: Dasent 281.—S. A. Indian (Kwakiutl): Boas and Hunt JE III 104 (certain wash-basin); cf. Haida: Swanton JE X 365. |
| D1813.0.1 | Bear knows if person looks at his track. N. A. Indian (Seneca): Curtin 2. |
| D2074.1.1.3 | Bear summoned by magic. Greek: Grote I 32. |
| D1866.1 | Beautification by bathing. Irish myth: Cross; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 70 No. 531; India: Thompson-Balys; Indonesian: Dixon 216; Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 159, 161; Tonga: Gifford 186; Easter Island: Métraux Ethnology 388. |
| D1865.2 | Beautification by boiling and resuscitation. Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 156 n. 2 (Pelops); N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 349 n. 258. |
| D1865 | Beautification by death and resuscitation. |
| D1865.1 | Beautification by decapitation and replacement of head. *Type 531.—Italian Novella: Rotunda; Eskimo (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 503. |
| D1866.3 | Beautification by fasting. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1866.2 | Beautification by removal of skin. (Cf. D1889.6.) German: Grimm No. 179. |
| D1863 | Beautification by stroking (tapping). Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 207. |
| D1337.1.6 | Beautification by use of saint's spittle. (Cf. D1001.)—Irish: Plummer clxxviii, *Cross. |
| D735.1 | Beauty and the beast. Disenchantment of animal by being kissed by woman (man).—*Type 402, 425, 433A, 440; Fb "kys"; Dickson 55 nn. 70, 72; Tobler 53; Zs. f. Vksk. XIV 245; Studien zur vgl. Littgsch. II 360, 472 n. 4.—English: Child V 486 s.v. "kiss"; Chile: Pino Saavedra 404f.; India: Cowell Jataka V 141; Philippine: Fansler MAFLS XII 303; Africa (Kaffir): Theal 38. |
| D631.3.7 | Bed large or small at will. Irish myth: Cross (D631.6); India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1385.22 | Bedstead at doorway prevents spirit from entering. (Cf. D1154.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1317.11 | Bedstead warns of danger of snake. (Cf. D1154.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1594.3 | Bee in its belly vitalizes tiger. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D477.3 | Beer becomes wine. German: Grimm No. 64. |
| D1045.0.1 | Beer brewed by means of magic song. Finnish: Kalevala rune 20. |
| D2084.1 | Beer magically kept from brewing. *Kittredge Witchcraft 170, 488 nn. 48—57; England: Baughman. |
| D1812.5.0.3 | Behavior of fire as omen. *Fb "ild" II 13a.; Virgil Aeneid II 680, V 525, VII 74; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1314.4 | Bell indicates place for settlement. Remains dumb until place destined for saint's final settlement is reached. (Cf. D1213, D1314.1.2, D1314.2.1.) —Irish: Plummer clxxvii, *Cross. |
| D1654.10 | Bell refuses to be moved. (Cf. D1213.) Fb "tung" III 893a; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 72 No. 607. |
| D1314.4.1 | Bell rings to indicate location of well. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1311.12.1 | Bell sounds to designate pope. (Cf. D1213.)—Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "cloche". |
| D1654.10.1 | Bell sunk in sea can be raised only under certain conditions. Norlind Skattsägner 60; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 73 No. 614; England: *Baughman. |
| D1524.2.2 | Belt carries owner over water. (Cf. D1057.) Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 43, 55. |
| D1413.5 | Bench to which person sticks. (Cf. D1151.1.) *Type 330.—Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2070 | Bewitching. (Cf. D5, G200.) **Kittredge Witchcraft.—Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Ynglinga saga 29, Boberg; Jewish: Neuman; Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 200. |
| D1273.3 | Bible texts as magic spells. *Kittredge Witchcraft 146, 465 nn. 66, 67, 70; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| D1711.1 | Biblical worthy as magician. |
| D1561.1.1.1 | Bird (when eaten) brings man to kingship. (Cf. D932.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1812.5.1.12.2 | Bird calls as evil omen. Korean: Zong in-Sob 210. |
| D1812.5.2.4 | Bird of prey catching quarry a good omen. *Kittredge Witchcraft 45, 398 n. 173. |
| D2072.0.4 | Bird overpowered by stepping on his shadow. Drops the stolen meat. Zachariae 57. |
| D2072.0.2.2 | Bird paralyzed. |
| D1301.4 | Bird's head (when eaten) teaches animal languages. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1505.5.1 | Bird's tears restore sight. (Cf. B736.) Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 59 No. 425D. |
| D2074.1.3 | Birds magically called. Irish: O'suilleabhain 86. |
| D1658.1.3 | Bitter water grateful for being praised. (Cf. D1242.1.) Type 480; *Köhler-Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. VI 63 (to Gonzenbach No. 13). |
| D2071.1.4 | Black as guard against Evil Eye. Penzer I 212, 217. |
| D1293.4 | Black as magic color. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2091.11 | Black cloud magically blown upon enemy. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1812.5.2.10 | Black dog as good omen. Argentina: Jijena Sanchez 121. |
| D57.2 | Black man's color altered to white. *Loomis White Magic 81. |
| D2195 | Blighted garden magically restored to beauty. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1712.2 | Blind man as soothsayer. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1313.4 | Blinded trickster directed by trees. He asks them their names and by their answers he can tell where he is. (Cf. D950.)—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 297 n. 86a. |
| D2062.2.1 | Blinding by curse. (Cf. M431.1.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2062.2 | Blinding by magic. Irish myth: *Cross; German: Grimm No. 135; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2161.4.10.5 | Blindness cured by killing snake that caused it. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2161.3.1 | Blindness magically cured. (Cf. D1505.) Fb "blind" IV 45b; Irish myth: *Cross; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 1153, 1234. |
| D1812.5.1.1.3 | Blood (in dream) as omen of killing. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1542.1.7 | Blood and liver of black dog sacrificed to bring rain. (Cf. D1016., D1015.4.) Jijena Sanchez 134. |
| D1502.4.2 | Blood as cure for leprosy. (Cf. D1003.) *Chauvin VIII 195 No. 235 n. 1; Herbert Catalogue of Romances III 202; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1355.2.2 | Blood as love-philtre. (Cf. D1003).—*Fb "blod" IV 46b; *Kittredge Witchcraft 30, 382 n. 53. |
| D1041 | Blood as magic drink. Frazer Golden Bough XII 189 s.v. "blood"; Zs. f. deutsche Philologie XXVI (1894) 9; Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: Hrolfs saga Kraka 62, 69, Völsungasaga 45, *Boberg; Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 248. |
| D1335.2.1 | Blood as magic strengthening drink. (Cf. D1041.)—Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Blut".—Icelandic: *Boberg; Finnish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 5. |
| D1347.2 | Blood as remedy for barrenness in woman. (Cf. D1003.)—*Fb "blod" IV 47a. |
| D1318.5.6 | Blood bubbles at place of murder. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1318.5.5 | Blood drops from stone to indicate girl's innocence. Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 47 No. 87**. |
| D1505.8.1 | Blood from Christ's wounds restores sight. Longinus. Paris Légendes du moyen âge 151. |
| D1318.5 | Blood indicates guilt or innocence. (Cf. D1003.) Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Blut"; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1563.1.5 | Blood makes soil fertile. (Cf. D1003.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1563.2.2 | Blood makes tree (and surroundings) poisonous. (Cf. D1016.) Irish myth: *Cross; Gaster Thespis 296. |
| D1502.4.2.1 | Blood of children (innocent maidens) as cure for leprosy. Child I 47, 50 n., IV 441b, V 285; Penzer I 98 n.; Alphabet No. 713. |
| D1500.1.7.3.1 | Blood of executed man as remedy. *Fb "blod" IV 47a. |
| D1500.1.7.3.2 | Blood of saint as cure. Irish: Plummer clxxxi, *Cross (D1500.1.9.2); *Loomis White Magic 104; Icelandic: Boberg (D1500.1.9.2). |
| D1382.13 | Blood of salamander protects against fire. (Cf. D1016.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1594.4 | Blood of twelve buffaloes vitalizes tiger. (Cf. D1016.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1355.2.2.1 | Blood of wounded centaur as love philtre. (Cf. D1016.) Greek: Grote I 139. |
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