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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 ▲ |
|---|---|
| D1610.34 | Speaking musical instrument. (Cf. D1210.) |
| D1610.27.1 | Speaking necklace. (Cf. D1073.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1610.22 | Speaking nut. (Cf. D985.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1610.2.1 | Speaking oak. (Cf. D950.2.) Greek: Fox 109 (oak at Dodona). |
| D1610.3 | Speaking plant. (Cf. D965, F815.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1610.31.1 | Speaking porridge. (Cf. D1033.) Chinese: Graham. |
| D1610.3.3 | Speaking pouka-herb. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1610.6 | Speaking privates. Man given advice by his private parts. (Cf. D998.) N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 296 n. 83a, (Calif.): Gayton and Newman 84. |
| D1610.8 | Speaking ring. (Cf. D1076.) Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "bague"; English Romance: Bevis of Hampton, line 2320. |
| D1610.35 | Speaking river. (Cf. D915.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1610.18 | Speaking rock (stone). (Cf. D931.) Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| D1610.11 | Speaking ship. (Cf. D1123.) Fb "skib" III 243a; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 109 n. 4; English: Child IV 376—80, V 275f.; Irish: O'Suilleabhain 33, Beal XXI 311. |
| D1610.1 | Speaking sink-hole. (Cf. D933.) Fb "grøft". |
| D1610.9.3 | Speaking spear. (Cf. D1084.) Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 102. |
| D1316.3 | Speaking spittle reveals truth. (Cf. D1001.) Africa (Zulu): Callaway 64. |
| D1620.1.7 | Speaking statue of man. (Cf. D1610.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1610.12 | Speaking stove. (Cf. D1161.) Fb "ovn" II 774a. |
| D1610.9.1 | Speaking sword. (Cf. D1081.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1610.30 | Speaking timber. (Cf. D956.) Greek: Grote I 214, 229; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1610.2 | Speaking tree. (Cf. D950, D1317.20.) Köhler Aufsätze 19ff.; Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1311.4.2 | Speaking trees give prophecy. Jewish: *bin Gorion Born Judas III 140, 307. |
| D1610.6.1 | Speaking vulva. Man has power to make vulvas speak. This is used as a chastity test. *Taylor MLN XXXI (1916) 249 n. 2; Von der Hagen III *v, 17; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| D1610.36 | Speaking water. (Cf. D1242.1.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1610.9 | Speaking weapon. (Cf. D1080.) |
| D1651.1.1 | Spear can be wielded by only one person. (Cf. D1084.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1381.17 | Spear in ground pointed toward ferocious animal protects. (Cf. D1084.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D631.3.8 | Spear large or small at will. Icelandic: Sturlaugs saga st. 625—26, Boberg. |
| D2031.10 | Spear made to appear as a reed in order to kill treacherously. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1601.4.2.1 | Spear rushes out of joking raja's hand and pierces his visitor's chest; it is hungry for blood and has had no food for twelve years. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1549.3.8 | Spear stuck in river bed stops water. (Cf. D1084.) S. A. Indian (Mataco): Métraux MAFLS XL 132. |
| D1718 | Special location of magic powers. |
| D1532.3.1 | Special shoes enable hero to climb a stone pillar. Chinese: Graham. |
| D1812.5.1.17 | Spectre as evil omen. (Cf. D1812.5.1.1.6.) Irish myth: *Cross; North Carolina: Brown Collection I 678f. |
| D2025.1 | Speech magically recovered on execution stake. Type 710. |
| D2025.5 | Speech magically recovered on Hallowe'en. (Cf. V70.5.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2025.2 | Speech magically recovered when certain bird is caught. Africa (Kaffir): Theal 80. |
| D2025.3 | Speech magically recovered when third person guesses secret transaction. Tawney I 5. |
| D1438.1 | Spell causes spear to pursue and slay man. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2061.2.2.2 | Spell chanted over person's shadow brings death. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1380.24 | Spell overcomes all danger. (Cf. D1273.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1442.6.1 | Spell tames horse. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D477.0.1.3 | Spiced wine becomes bitter. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1812.5.2.11 | Spider dropping on one's front a good omen. (Cf. D1812.5.1.12.3.) Samoa: Clark 117. |
| D1812.5.1.12.3 | Spider dropping on person's back as ill omen. Samoa: Clark 117. |
| D1285.1 | Spike produced by magic. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1364.17 | Spindle causes magic sleep. (Cf. D1186.)—*Type 410; *BP I 434ff., 440; *Saintyves Perrault 62. |
| D493 | Spirit changes to animal. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (T—G 3/1001, z-G. 3/1353). |
| D1721.1.3 | Spirit gives man the power of exorcising him out of anyone he possesses. (Cf. D2176.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1812.5.1.17.1 | Spirit host fighting in air as evil omen. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D49.2 | Spirit takes any form. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D42.2 | Spirit takes shape of man. India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 167, 169. |
| D474.7 | Spittle changes to blood. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1506.1 | Spittle restores hearing. (Cf. D1001.) Mark 7:33. |
| D1505.2 | Spittle restores sight. (Cf. D1001, D1500.1.8.) India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Maori: Dixon 59. Cf. Mark 8:23. |
| D927.3 | Spring augments milk of nursing mothers who drink its water. *Loomis White Magic 38. |
| D927.4 | Spring follows saint to his country. *Loomis White Magic 38. |
| D1311.3.1 | Spring gives omens. (Cf. D927.)—Type 709; Böklen Sneewittchenstudien (Leipzig, 1915) 73; *Kittredge Witchcraft 34, 394 n. 116. |
| D927.1 | Spring made by magic. P. Saintyves Le Miracle de l'apparition des eaux (Revue de l'Université de Bruxelles 1912, 265—94).—Germanic: De la Saussaye 254 (Balder); French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 12; Jewish *Neuman. |
| D927.5 | Spring runs dry (as result of fratricide). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1840.1.3 | St. Cecilia withstands three blows of beheading sword and lives three days after. *Loomis White Magic 116. |
| D1300.5 | Staff gives magic wisdom. (Cf. D1254.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1381.32 | Staff protects from attack. (Cf. D1254.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1413.4 | Stairs to which person sticks. (Cf. D1144.) Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 49 No. 330. |
| D1291.2 | Star as magic object. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1314.13 | Star indicates location of newborn hero. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1314.13.1 | Star of Bethlehem. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1812.5.1.6 | Stars furnish omens. |
| D2105.1.1 | Starvation prevented by composition of hymn. (Cf. D1275.3.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1317.9 | Statue gives warning. (Cf. D1268.) |
| D1639.4 | Statue laughs and reveals crime. *Bolte Reise der Söhne Giaffers 216; Penzer VII 211. |
| D1469.13.1 | Statue of eagle gives wealth. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1620.1.4 | Statue of Virgin sews for suppliant. Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 100 No. 849B. |
| D1625.1 | Statue sheds tears of blood. (Cf. D1624.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1625 | Statue weeps. *Loomis White Magic 124; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 329 No. 41. |
| D1654.7 | Statues that cannot be removed. (Cf. D1268.) Basset RTP XXVI 22 and succeeding numbers. |
| D2161.2.1 | Steaks cut from live cow who heals herself by magic. Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 294 No. 7. |
| D5.1.1 | Stepson cursed to stick in grave mound till pretty girl wants to substitute for him. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D2161.3.10 | Sterility magically cured. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1643.1 | Stick of fire comes to river bank of itself. (Cf. D1271.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D451.6.2 | Stick thrust in ground changes into spirit hut. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 62. |
| D1601.5.1 | Stick turns into automatic magic sword. (Cf. D1081.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1402.10.1 | Stick, become a sword, flies through air to kill ferocious animal-guardians of extraordinary lotus. (Cf. D1094, D1254.) India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1812.5.1.28 | Stirrup leather breaking as bad omen. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1602.8.1 | Stolen bell refuses to make a sound. *Loomis White Magic 53. |
| D471.8.1 | Stolen chickens turned to stones in cooking. *Loomis White Magic 79. |
| D1651.11 | Stolen gun works only for master. (Cf. D838, D1096.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D882.1 | Stolen magic object stolen back by helpful animals. Korean: Zong in-Sob 28. |
| D882.1.1 | Stolen magic object stolen back by helpful cat and dog. They steal the ring from the thief's mouth.—*Type 560; **Aarne MSFO XXV 3—82 BP II 455.—India: Thompson-Balys; Indonesian: DeVries Volksverhalen Nos. 67, 170 notes. |
| D882.4 | Stolen magic object stolen back by man in disguise. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D838.1 | Stolen objects powerful in magic. *Fb "stjæle" III 576a, "tigge" III 793b.; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1654.1 | Stone (rock) refuses to be moved. (Cf. D931.) *Fb "sten" III 553a; Irish: Plummer clvii, Cross; England, Ireland, Wales: *Baughman; Jewish: Neuman; Aztec: Alexander Lat. Am. 118. |
| D1515.5.1 | Stone as antidote for mad dog bite. (Cf. D930.) U.S.: *Baughman. |
| D1317.12.1 | Stone bleeds three days before church is plundered. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1359.3.4 | Stone blessed by saint banishes sorrow. (Cf. D931.)—Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1318.1.1 | Stone bursts as sign of unjust judgment. *Fb "sten" III 554a. |
| D1524.3.1 | Stone canoe. (Cf. D1122.) N. A. Indian (Ojibwa): Schoolcraft Hiawatha 223. |
| D1812.5.0.14 | Stone changes from red to green as auspicious sign. (Cf. D1293.1, D1293.2, D1317.12.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2135.0.2.1 | Stone cross magically raised in air. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1331.1.4 | Stone gives magic sight. (Cf. D931.) Jewish: Neuman; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1300.4 | Stone gives magic wisdom. (Cf. D931.) Jewish: Neuman; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1641.2.3 | Stone moves at cock-crow. (Cf. E452, N555.1.) England: *Baughman. |
| D1641.2.4 | Stone moves at midnight. England: *Baughman. |
| D1381.6 | Stone necklace protects from attack. (Cf. D1073.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D931.0.3 | Stone on which saint is baptized (is born) has magic powers. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D931.0.1 | Stone produced by magic. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1472.1.2 | Stone provides food. (Cf. D931.) Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1318.1 | Stone reveals guilt. |
| D1316.1 | Stone reveals truth. (Cf. D931.) Icelandic: *Boberg; Africa (Angola): Chatelain 29ff., 43ff. |
| D1654.1.1.1 | Stone rolls off well-top after saint has prayed. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1841.4.3.2 | Stones cast in the ocean keep dry. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D931.0.2 | Stones fixed in the earth have certain magic powers. *Fb II 47 s.v. "jordfast (sten)"; örvar-Odds saga 136. |
| D2135.3 | Stones fly through the air at saint's bidding. *Loomis White Magic 92. |
| D1649.3 | Stones for heating water heated automatically in other world. (Cf. D931.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1641.2.5 | Stones go down to stream to drink. England: Baughman. |
| D1648.3 | Stones prostrate themselves before certain persons. (Cf. D931.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1641.2 | Stones remove themselves. (Cf. D931.) Fb "sten" III 553a; Irish: O'Suilleabhain 85, Beal XXI 328, *Cross; England: *Baughman; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1602.1 | Stones, being removed, return to their places. (Cf. D931, D1401.5.) Irish: Plummer clvii, *Cross; England, Ireland: *Baughman. |
| D2091.10.1 | Stones, etc., magically made to burn feet of enemies. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2148.3 | Stopping the eruption of a volcano by a saint. *Loomis White Magic 45. |
| D1149.1 | Store, fully supplied, produced by magic. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| D624.1 | Storks become men in Egypt in the winter. (Cf. D155.1.)—Wesselski Bebel II 138 No. 117. |
| D2031.17 | Storm appears to be island. Eskimo (Central): Boas RBAE VI 622. |
| D2141.0.5 | Storm at death of wicked person. Devil comes for him. (Cf. D2141.0.3.) Kittredge Witchcraft 159, 477 nn. 60—64. |
| D2141.0.4 | Storm at death of wizard. Devil comes for him. (Cf. D2141.0.3.) Kittredge Witchcraft 159, 477 n. 59. |
| D2141.0.6 | Storm because of bird's singing. Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 104 No. 15. |
| D2141.0.8.1 | Storm calmed by wizard (druid). (Cf. D2141.1.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2141.0.1 | Storm from calling on evil spirit. *Kittredge Witchcraft 158, 477 nn. 57, 58.—Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D2141.0.2 | Storm from calling up spirits to help find buried treasure. (Cf. C401.3.) *Kittredge Witchcraft 158, 477 nn. 54—56. |
| D2141.1 | Storm magically stilled. (Cf. D2141.0.8.1.) *Fb "storm" III 596a; Irish myth: Cross; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas II 95, 342, 368; India: Thompson-Balys; Tonga: Gifford 117; Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen I 331. |
| D2141 | Storm produced by magic. (Cf. D905, D1541.) *Krappe Bulletin Hispanique XXXV 109ff.; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Jewish: *Neuman; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 507; Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 223, 375, 450, 469, Rasmussen I 367, II 170, III 158, 270, (Central Eskimo): Boas RBAE VI 584, 622, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 164, (West Hudson Bay): Boas BAM XV 321; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 289 n. 61b, (Calif.): Gayton and Newman 61; S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 162. |
| D2141.0.7.1 | Storm produced by prayer. (Cf. D2143.3.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D2141.0.7 | Storm raised by incantation. (Cf. D1391.1.) Greek: Grote I 184, Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 121; Africa (Zulu): Callaway 203. |
| D2141.0.9 | Storm raised by saint. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2141.2 | Storm raised to defeat enemy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2091.5 | Storms magically drawn down on foe. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2141.0.3 | Storms produced by devil. *Kittredge Witchcraft 152ff., 472ff. nn. 1—53 passim; North Carolina: Brown Collection I 660. |
| D2141.0.8 | Storms raised by druids. (Cf. D2142.0.3.) Irish: Plummer clix, *Cross. |
| D1641.3 | Stove runs over hill. (Cf. D1161.) Fb "ovn" II 774a. |
| D1442.2 | Straw on horse's back restrains him. (Cf. D1276.) *Fb "hest" I 598b. |
| D476.1.8 | Stream changed to egg. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1472.1.34.2 | Stream flows from man's head. (Cf. D992.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D2151.2.5 | Stream magically appears. N. A. Indian (Klikitat): Jacobs U Wash II 31. |
| D2091.3 | Streams of blood magically drawn down on foe. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1300.3.1 | Streams of wisdom flow from magic well. (Cf. D915.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1836.2 | Strength wanes at particular places. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| D482.2 | Stretching lily plant. Miraculously quick growing. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D482 | Stretching objects. |
| D482.5 | Stretching sepulchre. Magically becomes longer. Irish myth: Cross (D484). |
| D1567.6 | Stroke of staff brings water from rock. (Cf. D927.1, D1254.) *Saintyves Essais 139ff; Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1711.8 | Strong man as magician. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1812.5.1.31 | Stumping toe a bad omen. Samoa: Clark 116. |
| D1664 | Summer and winter garden. Garden which blooms in winter. (Cf. D961.) *BP II 232; Köhler-Bolte I 215f.—N. A. Indian (Tsimshian): Boas RBAE XXXI 182. |
| D2145.2.1 | Summer magically lengthened. (Cf. F162.1.1, F971.5.) Irish: Plummer lxxx, Cross. |
| D2145.2 | Summer produced by magic. |
| D2074.2.2 | Summoning by burning hair. *Chauvin V 5 n. 3, 293. |
| D2074.2.5 | Summoning by prayer. (Cf. V52.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2074.2.3 | Summoning by wish. Eskimo (Mackenzie Area): Jenness 49. |
| D1311.6.3 | Sun answers questions. (Cf. D1291.1.)—Type 709; *Böklen Sneewittchenstudien (Leipzig, 1915) 72; Cox Cinderella 483. |
| D1291.1 | Sun as magic object. Cox Cinderella 483. |
| D1711.3 | Sun as magician. Chinese: Werner 361. |
| D2136.2.2 | Sunken palace magically raised. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 30. |
| D2192.1 | Supernatural agency moves new church foundation (or building materials) to another site, at night. England, Scotland: *Baughman. |
| D631.4 | Supernatural creatures change size at will. |
| D2146.1.1.2 | Supernatural person (adulterer) causes sun to stand still for nine months. (Cf. T481.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1470.2.6 | Supplies from bull's belly. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1470.2.7 | Supplies from bull's dung. (Cf. D1026.2.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1470.2.8 | Supplies from magic ashes. (Cf. D931.1.2.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1470.2.9 | Supplies from magic skin worn by man. (Cf. D1024.) S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 93. |
| D1470.2.5 | Supplies from magic table. (Cf. D1153.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1470.2.4 | Supplies from toe of old woman. (Cf. D995.1.) Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 56 No. 9. |
| D1470.2.2 | Supplies received from magic box. (Cf. D1174.) India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 185. |
| D361.1.1 | Swan Maiden finds her hidden wings and resumes her form. Types 400, 465A.—U. S.: *Baughman; India: Thompson-Balys; Korean: Zong in-Sob 22ff. No. 11. |
| D361.1 | Swan Maiden. A swan transforms herself at will into a maiden. She resumes her swan form by putting on her swan coat. (It is difficult to tell in most Swan Maiden tales whether the primary form is swan or maiden: the incident may belong at D161.)—*Type 313, 400, 465A; *BP III 406; **H. Holmström Studier över svanjungfrumotivet i Volundarkvida och annorstädes (Malmö 1919); Cosquin Indiens 348, 387, 391ff.; *Köhler-Bolte I 444; G. de Raille RTP IV 312; *Penzer VIII 213; Fb "jomfru" II 43, "svane" III 664a.—Irish myth: Cross; Spanish: *Boggs FFC XC No. 400A; Germanic: Grimm Deutsche Mythologie I 354, Krappe Mod. Lang. Review. XXI 66, MacCulloch Eddic 258ff.; Boberg; French: Sébillot France II 198, III 207; U.S.: *Baughman.—Arabian: Burton Nights V 345ff., VIII 31 n.; Persian: Bricteaux Contes Persans 97; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Japanese: Anesaki 258.—Indonesian: *DeVries's list Nos. 151—153, Dixon 64, 138 nn. 13—18, 207ff.; Polynesian, Melanesian: ibid. 64, 138 nn. 13—18; Australian: ibid. 294f.—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 356 n. 284; *Hatt Asiatic Influences 94ff.; Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen I 364, II 12, III 74, 199, (Central Eskimo): Boas RBAE VI 615, (Smith Sound): Kroeber JAFL XII 170, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 179, (Kodiak): Golder JAFL XVI 95. |
| D1500.1.36 | Sweat used in medicine. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D733.2 | Swine bridegroom. Bride disenchants him by her love. He returns to original form. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| D2089.3.1 | Swine magically kept from fattening. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1449.3 | Swine summoned out of magic harp. (Cf. D1231.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1317.6.1 | Sword bursts in son's hand when he is about to kill his father. *Fb "sværd" III 690b. |
| D1654.4.1 | Sword can be moved only by right person. (Cf. D1081.) *Fb "sværd" III 690b.—Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1654.4.1.1 | Sword can only be used by strong hero. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1653.1.1.1 | Sword causes a man's death every time it is drawn. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 267 (Dainslef), 268 (Tyrfing), *Boberg. |
| D1364.27 | Sword causes magic sleep. (Cf. D1081.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D631.3.3 | Sword large or small at will. (Cf. D1081.) Fb "sværd" III 690b; Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1666 | Sword leaves no trace of blow behind it. (Cf. D1081, D1564.7, F833.) Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 65, Cross. |
| D2072.0.1 | Sword made magically helpless. Fb "sværd" III 690a; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D2086.1 | Sword magically dulled. **U. Priebe Stumpfmachen der Schwerten durch Zauber (Kiel Diss., Stettin, 1906); Zs. f. Vksk. XIII 213, XV 349, XVII 329; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 46, 302, 260, *Boberg; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1081.1 | Sword of magic origin. Welsh: MacCulloch Celtic 197; Irish myth: Cross; Indo-Chinese: Scott Indo-Chinese 303. |
| D1389.14 | Sword puts to flight five evil passions. (Cf. D1081.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1610.9.1.1 | Sword shrieks when it feels the bone. Icelandic: Hrolfs saga Kraka 100, Boberg. |
| D1694 | Sword that cannot be magically dulled. (See D2086.1.) Icelandic: Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 354, Bуsa saga p. lxvi, *Boberg. |
| D1316.11 | Sword turns upon owner when untruth is uttered. (Cf. D1081.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1782 | Sympathetic magic. Magic results obtained by imitating desired action. *Frazer Golden Bough XII 481 s.v. "Sympathetic magic"; *Andree Ethnographische 8ff.—Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: Neuman; Hindu: Penzer III 38, VI 24 n., 133, IX 27 n. 1; N. A. Indian (Blackfoot): Wissler and Duvall PaAM II 128, (Maliseet): Mechling GSCan IV 100 No. 29, (Arapaho): Dorsey and Kroeber FM V 271 No. 120, (Pawnee): Dorsey CI LIX 160 No. 43, (Micmac): Parsons JAFL XXXVIII 78 No. 11, Rand 370 No. 71, (Seneca): Curtin-Hewitt RBAE XXXII 186 No. 35, 457 No. 94, 659 No. 127. |
| D1553 | Symplegades. Rocks that clash together at intervals. (Cf. D931.) *Reinhard PMLA XXXVIII 458 n. 108; *Krappe Balor 111 n. 11a; Köhler-Bolte I 572.—Greek: Fox 111, 137; *Frazer Apollodorus I 106 n. 2; Euripides Iphegenia in Taurica lines 123ff.; Herodotus 4:85; Janet Bacon Voyage of the Argonauts 79f.; India: Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 275 n. 15, (Calif.): Gayton and Newman 102; S. A. Indian (Tupinamba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 132. Maori: Clark 36ff. |
| D1661.1 | Talking statue, when destroyed, cannot be replaced for thirty thousand years. (Cf. D1268, D1620.) Dickson 214. |
| D2171.1.2 | Tankard caused to stick to person's lips. Wales: Baughman. |
| D1581 | Tasks performed by use of magic object. *Types 576, 577; Christiansen 87; Chinese: Graham. |
| D475.4.5 | Tears become jewels. German: Grimm No. 179; Greek: Grote 134; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D474.6 | Tears change to blood. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1812.5.1.1.1 | Tears of blood as evil omen. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1454.4.1 | Tears of gold. Icelandic: Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1612 | Tell-tale magic objects. |
| D1541.1.5 | Tempest box raises storm. (Cf. D1174.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1273.1.4 | Ten as magic number. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D55.2.4 | Ten serving-women carried in bottle. They change size at will. Köhler-Bolte II 471ff. |
| D2161.5.2.6 | Terrible headaches cured by Virgin Mary. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| D791.1.3 | The deliverer in the cradle. Enchanted person can be delivered by child rocked in a cradle made from an oak sapling after it has grown great. **Ranke Der Erlöser in der Wiege; Hartland Science 244f; *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 80. |
| D1454.1.1.1 | The devil runs hands through his hair; coins fall to the floor. U.S.: *Baughman. |
| D1500.1.1.2 | The water of spring which a saint caused to flow has curative powers. *Loomis White Magic 104. |
| D1841.4.3.1 | The waters of seas, lakes, and streams turn aside and let the holy man walk through untouched by moisture. (Cf. D1551.) *Loomis White Magic 40. |
| D2087 | Theft by magic. |
| D1389.2.1 | Theft from church prevented by apparent heat. *Loomis White Magic 98. |
| D884 | Thief forced to vomit up stolen magic object. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1389.2.2 | Thieves cannot cross a river because the water suddenly becomes too hot for them. *Loomis White Magic 98. |
| D480.0.1 | Things miraculously stretched or shortened if needed by a saint. *Loomis White Magic 89. |
| D2033 | Thirst magically caused to disappear. (Cf. D1349.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1273.1.6 | Thirteen as magic number. Jewish: Neuman; England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| D1400.1.18 | Thread from jogi's garment when pulled makes fort fall to ground. (Cf. D1052.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2031.2 | Thread made to appear as a large log carried by a cock. *BP III 203. |
| D1273.1.1 | Three as magic number. *Hdwb. d. Abergl. s.v. "Drei"; Irish myth: *Cross; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 8f.; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D2011.1.2 | Three days and three nights seem one hour as saint preaches. (Cf. Z71.1.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1273.1.1.4 | Three meditations on death which prevent laughter. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1856.2 | Three Nephites are granted quasi-immortal state by Jesus Christ at time of resurrection. (Cf. V294.) U.S.: Baughman. |
| D1273.1.1.1 | Three on a match (lighting cigarettes or cigars). England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| D735.2 | Three redeeming kisses. (Die weisse Frau.) A woman can be disenchanted from animal form if man will kiss her three times, each time when she is in the form of a different terrifying animal.—Tobler 69; **M. Waehler Die weisse Frau (Erfurt 1931); *Hdwb. d. Abergl. II 928.—Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 298 No. 3, 307 No. 24, 314 No. 103, 322 No. 93, 325 No. 3, 329 No. 32; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3592. |
| D759.10 | Three soldiers in the enchanted manor. Curiosity overcoming them they forfeit the power of disenchanting the princesses. Seven seven-year-old boys break the spell and save the princess. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *422B. |
| D1971 | Three-fold magic sleep. Husband (lover) put to sleep by false bride. Only on the third night (the last chance) he wakes. *Types 303, 313; BP II 51, 273; Cox Cinderella 481.—Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 61 No 445A. |
| D1812.5.2.1 | Throbbing of right eye as favorable omen. Penzer V 200 n. 3. |
| D1654.17 | Throne of goddess' idol is lifted only after goat has been sacrificed. (Cf. D1156.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1811.1.1.1 | Thumb of knowledge from catching thumb in door of fairy. (Cf. F211.1.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1811.1.1 | Thumb of knowledge. Man cooks magic animal and burns thumb. When he puts thumb in mouth he has magic knowledge. (Cf. D1810.3.) **Scott Thumb; Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2149.1 | Thunderbolt magically produced. (Cf. D1713.) Irish myth: Cross; Marquesas: Handy 65. |
| D2151.1.2.2 | Tide held back by saint. (Cf. D1713, V220.) *Loomis White Magic 40; Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2151.1.2.1 | Tide held back by Virgin Mary. (Cf. V250.) *Ward Catalogue of Romances II 602; Crane Miraculis 91 No. 22. |
| D2151.1.2 | Tide held back. (Cf. D1545.) Tuamotu: Stimson MS (T-G. 3/730). |
| D1855 | Time of death postponed. (Cf. D1345, D1857.) Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D475.3.2 | Tin changed into silver. *Loomis White Magic 81. |
| D1349.1.6 | Tiny amount of food magically satisfies. (Cf. D1030.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D482.5.2 | Tomb gate magically enlarged. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D2199.2 | Tools sharpened through power of saint. Slaves forced to hew down yew tree with dull tools: hands bleed. (Cf. H1110, P170.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1364.30 | Tooth of fox causes magic sleep. (Cf. D1011.4.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D2063.1 | Tormenting by magic. England: *Baughman. |
| D2063.1.1 | Tormenting by sympathetic magic. Person (usually witch) tormented by abusing an animal or object. The usual methods of abuse are burning or sticking with pins. *Kittredge Witchcraft 97ff., 429ff. nn. 173—239 passim; England, U.S.: *Baughman; Feilberg DF X 165ff.; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1364.29 | Touch of glove and ring causes sleep. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1502.4.3 | Touching magic boat with exposed child in it cures leprosy. (Cf. D1121.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1365.9 | Tower causes magic forgetfulness. (Cf. D1149.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D2089.9 | Trail magically closed. |
| D2089.9.1 | Trail magically covered with thorns. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 98. |
| D0 | Transformation (general). *MacCulloch Childhood 149ff.; *Wimberley 275ff.; Sébillot Incidents s.v. "métamorphose"; Burton Arabian Nights VIII 270, S IV 329.—*Tibbals "Elements of Magic in the Romance of William of Palerne" MPh I (1903) 355ff.; *Easter: a Study of Magic Elements in the Romans d'Aventure (Dissertation, Baltimore 1906); *Hegar Hessische Blätter f. Vksk. XXVIII 110ff. —Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 251 n. 4 (Neleus); Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: *Neuman; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D630 | Transformation and disenchantment at will. See, in general, references throughout D610—D629, D640—D659, D670—D699, nearly all of which motifs involve the idea of voluntary transformation.—*Types 652, 665; Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Baum"; *Bolte Reise der Söhne Giaffers 215; *Chauvin VII 83 No. 373bis n. 1.—German: Grimm Nos. 51, 56, 68, 181; Irish myth: *Cross; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 84 n. 2, Grote I 105; Icelandic: De la Saussaye 298f., MacCulloch Eddic 46ff. (Odin), *Boberg; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys, Keith 156, 218; Arabian: Burton Nights I 134ff., 220f., III 126f., 236, VII 76, 300, IX 331, X 30, S II 86, 105, S V 88, S VII 239; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 420, II 676; Chinese: Werner 327, Coyajee JPASB XXIV 182, Jameson The Chinese Art of Shifting Shape (JAFL LXIV 275—80), Graham; Korean: Zong in-Sob 85; Indonesian: De Vries's list No. 152, 153; New Guinea: Dixon 138; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 401ff. note; New Hebrides: Beckwith 131; Easter Island: Métraux Ethnology 363.—S. A. Indian (Argentina): Jijena Sanchez 53; Jamaica: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 271 No. 84.—Africa (Cold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 42 No. 4, (Ekoi): Talbot 247. |
| D661.2 | Transformation as punishment for denouncing saint. Der Heiligen Leben und Leiden 100ff. (Santa Barbara). |
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