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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 ▲ |
|---|---|
| D411.1.1 | Transformation: squirrel to horse. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "écureuil". |
| D315.4 | Transformation: squirrel to person. India: Thompson-Balys; Eskimo (Mackenzie Area): Jenness 74. |
| D421.5.1 | Transformation: stag to wind. Chinese and Persian: Coyajee JPASB XXIV 182f. |
| D439.5.2 | Transformation: star to person. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 15 n. 2, 109. |
| D435.1.1 | Transformation: statue comes to life. *Type 945, cf. Type 165*; *BP III 53 n. 2; D. E. MacKay The Double Invitation in the Legend of Don Juan (1943); *Loomis White Magic 81; Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Baum"; Köhler-Bolte I 531.—Greek: Fox 200 (Galateia); Finnish: cf. Kalevala rune 37; Germanic: MacCulloch Eddic 188; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "statue"; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *701; Hindu: Benfey Panchatantra I 490; India: Thompson-Balys; Babylonian: Meissner Babylonien und Assyrien II 96; Semitic: bin Gorion Born Judas V 180ff.; Jewish: Neuman; Indonesian: DeVries's list No. 184, Dixon 200, *201 n. 38; Torres Straits: Dixon 142 n. 25; German New Guinea: ibid. 141; Australian: ibid. 274; Eskimo (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 479, 485, 497, (Central Eskimo): Boas RBAE VI 619, (Koryak): Jochelson JE VI 22, 286, 370; N. A. Indian: Thompson Tales 357 n. 287i, Hatt Asiatic Influences 97. |
| D454.15 | Transformation: statue to drinking vessels. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D435.1 | Transformation: statue to person. |
| D451.6 | Transformation: stick (log) to other object. |
| D451.6.3 | Transformation: stick to weapon. Africa (Loango): Pechuël-Loesche 109. |
| D441.7 | Transformation: sticks of wood to animal. Jewish: Neuman; Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 17, 33, 52, 58; S. A. Indian (Apapocuvú-Guarani): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 138. |
| D457.5.1 | Transformation: stolen meat to roses. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| D452.1.4 | Transformation: stone into jewel. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *1670. |
| D435.1.5 | Transformation: stone lion to man. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 169. |
| D442.1 | Transformation: stone to animal. Irish myth: Cross (D449.6); Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 22; Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 163, 228. |
| D452.1.7 | Transformation: stone to firebrand. Africa (Duala): Lederbogen JAS IV 71. |
| D452.1.8 | Transformation: stone to island. Tonga: Gifford 191. |
| D452.1.2 | Transformation: stone to mountain. Regular in D672, where references are given. |
| D432.1 | Transformation: stone to person. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 69; Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 179. |
| D452.1.9 | Transformation: stone to pillow. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D452.1.3 | Transformation: stone to salt. *Loomis White Magic 81; Irish myth: *Cross (D456.3); Jewish: Neuman. |
| D475.3.3 | Transformation: stone to silver. India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| D475.4.1 | Transformation: stones into jewels. *Loomis White Magic 81; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D452.1.12 | Transformation: stones to dust. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D475.2.1 | Transformation: stones to gold coins. Tobler 71. |
| D452.1.6 | Transformation: stones to peas. |
| D452.1.11 | Transformation: stones to weapons. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D475.1.20 | Transformation: straw to gold. German: Grimm No. 55. |
| D441.9 | Transformation: straw to snake. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D482.4 | Transformation: stretching cliff. A cliff magically shoots up into the air. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "precipice".—Hawaii: Dixon 90; Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 76. |
| D485 | Transformation: stretching fingers to make ladder. French Canadian: Sister Marie Ursule. |
| D482.1 | Transformation: stretching tree. A tree magically shoots upward. —India: Thompson-Balys; Batak: Warneck Religion der Batak 50; Melanesian: Codrington 165.—N. A. Indian: Thompson Tales 332 n. 199; S. A. Indian (Mataco): Métraux MAFLS XL 35; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 188, 306. |
| D476.2.4 | Transformation: sugar to ashes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D361 | Transformation: swan to person. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D412.3 | Transformation: swine becomes another animal. |
| D336 | Transformation: swine to person. *Dh II 191f.—Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "cochon"; Missouri French: Carrière; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| D473.1 | Transformation: sword to wood. Chauvin V 173 No. 96 n. 1. |
| D457.18.1 | Transformation: tears to fountain. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D457.18 | Transformation: tears to other object. |
| D457.18.2 | Transformation: tears to river. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D454.4.1 | Transformation: thread to other object. Africa (Vai): Ellis 191 No. 8. |
| D421.4 | Transformation: tiger to object. |
| D312.2 | Transformation: tiger to person. India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 62f. |
| D421.4.1 | Transformation: tigress to mortar. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D396 | Transformation: toad to man. Chinese: Graham. |
| D447.5 | Transformation: toes of sorceress to dogs. Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 248. |
| D457.14.2 | Transformation: tongue to flame. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D457.14 | Transformation: tongue to other object. |
| D457.8 | Transformation: tooth to ax head. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges; Norse: Herrmann Saxo II 596. |
| D447.6 | Transformation: tooth to fox. Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen I 185. |
| D439.1 | Transformation: tow to person. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "filasse". |
| D449.3 | Transformation: treasure to ducks. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 196. |
| D441.1 | Transformation: tree to animal. Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Baum"; BP I 146f. |
| D451.1 | Transformation: tree to other object. *Loomis White Magic 95; Africa (Loango): Pechuël-Loesche 109. |
| D431.2 | Transformation: tree to person. Irish myth: Cross; Jamaica: *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 263 No. 67; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 168. |
| D471.6 | Transformation: tree to stone. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D314 | Transformation: ungulate animal (wild) to person. |
| D434.1 | Transformation: utensil to person. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 169. |
| D436.1 | Transformation: utensil to person. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 169. |
| D441 | Transformation: vegetable form to animal. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D431 | Transformation: vegetable form to person. |
| D451.9 | Transformation: vegetable to other object. |
| D451.6.1.1 | Transformation: wand to bridge. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "pont".—Cherokee: Mooney RBAE XIX 319 No. 67. |
| D451.6.1 | Transformation: wand to other object. |
| D474.2 | Transformation: water becomes bloody. Loomis White Magic 78; Irish myth: *Cross; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: Neuman; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 358. |
| D477.1 | Transformation: water becomes wine. Fb "vand" III 1000a.; St. John 2:9; Grimm Deutsche Mythologie I 486; Hartland Science 69; Farnell Cults of the Greek States V 156; Wuttke Volksaberglaube (Berlin 1900) 66ff.; *Toldo VI 310ff.; *Saintyves Essais 206ff.; Günter 246 s.v. "Wein"; *Loomis White Magic 78; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Boberg; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| D439.3 | Transformation: water bubble to person. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D478.7 | Transformation: water changed into oil. *Loomis White Magic 78. |
| D429.1 | Transformation: water monster to Milky Way. Raratonga: Beckwith Myth 439. |
| D478.2 | Transformation: water to ale. Irish myth: *Cross (D479.4.1). |
| D478.13 | Transformation: water to brimstone. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D478.11 | Transformation: water to butter and cream. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 460. |
| D478.3 | Transformation: water to fire. Irish myth: *Cross (D479.4.2); Jewish: Neuman. |
| D478.5 | Transformation: water to honey. *Loomis White Magic 78; Irish myth: *Cross (D479.4.4). |
| D478.4 | Transformation: water to marvelous drink. Irish myth: *Cross (D479.4.3). |
| D478.6 | Transformation: water to mead. Irish myth: *Cross (D479.4.5). |
| D478.1 | Transformation: water to milk. Irish myth: *Cross (D479.4); Sébillot France II 213. |
| D475.2.2 | Transformation: water to money. Africa (Kpelle): Westermann Zs. f. afrikan., ozean., u. ostasiat. Spr. VI 161 No. 29a. |
| D478.12 | Transformation: water to rocks. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D399.1 | Transformation: water-dragon to person. (Cf. B12.)—Chinese: Werner 233. |
| D283.3 | Transformation: watersprite to flood. German: Grimm No. 181. |
| D454.9 | Transformation: weapon to other object. |
| D421.7 | Transformation: whale to object. |
| D421.7.1 | Transformation: whale to skull. Eskimo (Labrador): Hawkes GSCan XIV 155, (Greenland): Rink 128, Holm 44, Rasmussen II 18, III 84. |
| D451.2.2 | Transformation: wheat to barley. Irish myth: Cross (D462.2). |
| D31 | Transformation: white person to negro. (Cf. D57)—Chauvin II 183 No. 23; *Fb "jomfru", "hvid" I 700b, "sort" III 467b, "pige" II 816b.—Spanish Boggs FFC XC 57 No. 425; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| D411.2.1 | Transformation: white rat to white-winged elephant. Chinese: Werner 121. |
| D659.7 | Transformation: wife to mistress. Transformed wife substitutes for husband's mistress.—Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| D310 | Transformation: wild beast (mammal) to person. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D92 | Transformation: wild man to normal. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| D451.5.7 | Transformation: wisp of hay to bridge.—Maliseet: Mechling JAFL XXVI 251. |
| D441.9.1 | Transformation: wisp of hay to horse. (Cf. D451.5.7.)—Gering Islendzk æfentyri II 167; Grimm Irische Elfenmärchen No. 11.—Malay: Hambruch Malaiische Märchen 215. |
| D313.2 | Transformation: wolf to man. Irish myth: Cross; Eskimo (Mackenzie Area): Jenness 76. |
| D421.1 | Transformation: wolf to object. |
| D421.1.1 | Transformation: wolf to tree. Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 323. No. 108. |
| D185.1.1 | Transformation: woman (fairy) to fly. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D211.3 | Transformation: woman (man) to belfruit. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D141.1 | Transformation: woman to bitch. Irish myth: *Cross; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 241 n. 4 (Hecuba). |
| D142.0.1 | Transformation: woman to cat. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D114.1.1.2 | Transformation: woman to doe. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D659.14 | Transformation: woman to fly so as to help hero pick out weapons from among many. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D235.2 | Transformation: woman to golden stool. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D212.3 | Transformation: woman to lotus. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D199.3 | Transformation: woman to siren. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D169.1 | Transformation: woman to waterfowl. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D353.1 | Transformation: woodpecker to person. Africa (Shangani): Bourhill and Drake 43ff. No. 5. |
| D418.2.2 | Transformation: worm to dog. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 72. |
| D418.2 | Transformation: worm to other animal. |
| D392 | Transformation: worm to person. Tonga: Gifford 25. |
| D418.2.1 | Transformation: worm to serpent. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D454.11 | Transformation: writing tablets to bundle. Irish myth: Cross (D469.15). |
| D134.4 | Transformations supernatural being into a goat. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D686 | Transformed animal refuses to touch meat of that animal. Jamaica: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 102 No. 84. |
| D1610.32 | Transformed bird reveals its identity by speaking out. (Cf. D150.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D688.1 | Transformed cow advises daughter. Chinese: Graham. |
| D792 | Transformed mother called by her child. Comes and is rescued.—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 333. |
| D688 | Transformed mother suckles child. *Types 403, 450; BP I 79ff., 99ff.—India: Thompson-Balys; Jewish: Neuman; Japanese: Ikeda.—Africa (Bushman): Bleek and Lloyd 87, (Kaffir): Theal 61. |
| D457 | Transformed parts of person or animal to object. |
| D683.1 | Transformers. Demigods who transform things at will so that they assume present form. See all references for motifs A900—A999 for work of transformers. (Cf. D272.)—Marshall Islands: Davenport JAFL LXVI 222. |
| D1520.1.2 | Transportation by hollow tree. (Cf. D950, D1532.7.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1520.25 | Transportation by magic bag. (Cf. D1193.) Fb "rænsel". |
| D1520.24 | Transportation by magic box. (Cf. D1174.) Chauvin V 230 No. 130. |
| D1520.23 | Transportation by magic goblet. (Cf. D1171.6.2.) Greek: *Frazer Apollodorus I 213 n. 2. |
| D1520.29 | Transportation by magic jewel. Italian Novella: Rotunda; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1520.29.1 | Transportation by magic pearl. (Cf. D1071.) Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas III 159. |
| D1520.22 | Transportation by magic pitcher. (Cf. D1171.4.) Chauvin V 230 No. 130. |
| D1520.21 | Transportation by magic platform. (Cf. D1157.) Chauvin V 230 No. 130. |
| D1520.36 | Transportation by magic stone. (Cf. D931.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1520.20 | Transportation by magic throne. (Cf. D1156.) Chauvin V 230 No. 130; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1520.34 | Transportation by means of necklace. (Cf. D1073.) German: MacCulloch Eddic 261. |
| D1520.26 | Transportation by putting magic ointment on feet. (Cf. D1244.) Penzer IV 90 n. 1. |
| D1520.1.1 | Transportation by stretching and swaying tree. The tree stretches and bends over so as to land hero in a distant country. (Cf. D482.) Tahiti, Melanesia, Indonesia: Dixon 66. |
| D1976.1 | Transportation during magic sleep. Dickson 223; Irish myth: *Cross; Greek: Homer Odyssey XVIII 121; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1520.14 | Transportation in magic carriage. (Cf. D1111.) Chauvin V 229 No. 130. |
| D1520.18.2 | Transportation in magic palanquin. (Cf. D1154.3.2.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1520.15 | Transportation in magic ship. (Cf. D1123, D1521.2, D1525, D1533.1.) Finnish: Kalevala rune 39; Greek: Fox 138; Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1520.17.2 | Transportation on magic couch. (Cf. D1154.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1520.18.1 | Transportation on magic swing. (Cf. D1154.3.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2105.3.1 | Trash magically becomes food. Africa (Duala): Lederbogen Fables 66. |
| D1454.2 | Treasure falls from mouth. (Cf. D992.2, D1454.3.) *Type 403; *BP I 100 n. 1; Fb "spytte" III 515a.—Icelandic: Snorra Edda Skaldsk. XXXII and XXXVIII; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 10; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1469.13 | Treasure falls from stone lion's mouth. (Cf. D1268.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2101.1 | Treasure found by sprinkling ground with blood of white cock. (Cf. D1314.) *Chauvin V 13f. No. 9; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1454.5 | Treasure from excrements. (Cf. D1002.) India: Thompson-Balys; Hindu: Keith 145; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 329 n. 190a; Africa (Yoruba): Ellis 256 No. 4. |
| D1454.7 | Treasure from footprints. (Cf. D1294.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1469.8 | Treasure from magic stick. (Cf. D956, D1254.) Chinese: Graham. |
| D1454.9 | Treasure from nose (with sneezing). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1454.6 | Treasure from scab. (Cf. D1009.1.) N. A. Indian (Tsimshian): Boas BBAE XXVII 190. |
| D1454.3 | Treasure from spittle. (Cf. D1454.2, D1001.) *Penzer VIII 59 n. 3.—Irish: Plummer clxxviii, Cross; India: Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 329 n. 190. |
| D1454.4 | Treasure from tears. (Cf. D1004.) |
| D1454.8 | Treasure issues from girl's head. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D2101 | Treasure magically discovered. *Type 613. See also N530—N549, Discovery of treasure. |
| D1463.5 | Treasure-giving magic flower (gold and silver). (Cf. D975.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1648.1.2 | Tree (forest) bows down to holy person (saint). Dh II 30ff.; Irish: *Cross, O'Suilleabhain 108, Beal XXI 334; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| D1380.2 | Tree (plant) protects. |
| D1311.4.1 | Tree appealed to as arbitrator. Penzer V 60. |
| D1380.2.2 | Tree as guardian of girl. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1610.2.0.1 | Tree asks to be shaken. Fb "træ" III 867b, and references in D1658.1.5. |
| D1648.1.1 | Tree bends only to heroine. *Type 511; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1648.1 | Tree bends to certain person. (Cf. D950.) N. A. Indian (Seneca): Curtin-Hewitt RBAE XXXII 391 No. 70; India: Thompson-Balys; Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 100. |
| D2145.2.2.2 | Tree blooms out of season. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1648.1.2.1 | Tree bows to help Virgin Mary in childbirth. (Cf. V250.) *Dh II 10; Irish: O'Suilleabhain 1(a), Beal XXI 304. |
| D621.2 | Tree by day; man by night. Fb "træ" III 867b; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1413.1 | Tree from which one cannot descend. (Cf. D950.) *Type 330; BP II 163ff, *188. |
| D1658.1.5.1 | Tree grateful for having boughs trimmed. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1658.1.5.2 | Tree grateful for having milk poured on roots. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1673.1 | Tree grows from stick saint has used and thrown aside. (Cf. D956.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2082.0.2 | Tree magically withers. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1368.4 | Tree of delusion. (Cf. D950.) Indian: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1346.4 | Tree of immortality. (Cf. D950.)—Jewish: Neuman; Persian: Carnoy 281; S. A. Indian (Tiatinagua): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 449. |
| D1393.1 | Tree opens and conceals fugitive. (Cf. D950.) Irish: Plummer cliii, Cross; India: Thompson-Balys; Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen II 90. |
| D1556.2 | Tree opens its trunk to give shelter to abandoned girls. (Cf. D950.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1393.4 | Tree points way to fugitive but misdirects enemy. (Cf. D950.) Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Baum". |
| D2178.8 | Tree produced by magic. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 347. |
| D951 | Tree produced by magic. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2157.3.2 | Tree regains life and verdure after treasure it hides in its roots is given away. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1505.18 | Tree restores sight. (Cf. D950.) |
| D1317.20 | Tree warns of danger. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D2106.3 | Tree with all sorts of cakes hanging from its branches springs from one cake. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1461.0.1 | Tree with golden fruit. *Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Baum mit goldenen Früchten". |
| D1461.0.2 | Tree with silver branches. (Cf. D950, F811.1.2.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2082 | Trees killed by magic. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "arbres". |
| D2082.0.1 | Trees magically made fruitless. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1394.1 | Trial by ordeal subverted by carrying magic object. *Kittredge Witchcraft 54, 404 nn. 227—229. |
| D1812.3.3.1 | Truest dreams at daybreak. *Penzer VIII 99f. |
| D1810.8.1 | Truth given in vision. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1317.4.1 | Truth-telling voice in wall warns against poisoned food. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1323.7 | Turf from church roof gives clairvoyance. Placed on head in order to see witches. (Cf. D934.)—Fb "græstørv"; *De Vries Acta Philologica Scandinavica III 106ff. |
| D1384.3.1 | Turning right-handwise insures safe journey. (Cf. D1272.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1521.5.1 | Turquoise gives miraculous speed. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1273.1.5 | Twelve as magic number. Fb "tolv"; Gaster Thespis 369; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D491.6 | Twelve stones unite to make one. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1648.1.2.2 | Twig of a tree bows down and releases a bag with relics when the man makes a promise. *Loomis White Magic 129f. |
| D1620.3.1 | Two automatic giants fight until separated. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1812.5.1.1.2 | Two drops of blood in book mean that two have been killed. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D2011.2 | Two friars perceive no passing of time from Shrovetide till following Easter while they talk of Christ. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D45.3 | Two friends exchange forms. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| D1857.2 | Two hundred years of unfailing life and happiness offered to warrior by fairy woman in exchange for one day's delay of battle. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1373.2 | Two loaves of bread—one to excite, the other to appease hunger. (Cf. D1031.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D621.3 | Ugly by day; fair by night. *Köhler-Bolte II 435ff.; Irish myth: Cross. |
| D52.2 | Ugly man becomes handsome. Samoa: Beckwith Myth 473. |
| D1555 | Underground passage magically opens. Chinese: Graham. |
| D1653.1.5 | Unerring arrow. (Cf. D1092.) Icelandic: Anssaga Bogsveigis 327; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "flèches"; Greek: Fox 84, 131; India: *Thompson-Balys; Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 70. |
| D1653.1.4 | Unerring bow. Always hits mark. (Cf. D1091). Type 592. |
| D1653.1.2 | Unerring spear. (Cf. D1084.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Greek: Fox 72 (Procris); Hindu: Keith 140. |
| D1653.1.6 | Unerring stone missile. (Cf. D1093.) S. A. Indian (Fuegian): Alexander Lat. Am. 340. |
| D1652.7 | Unfading garlands. (Cf. D975.) Penzer I 100, II 22ff., IX 53 n. 2; Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1672 | Unquenchable fire. (Cf. D1271.) Fb "ild" II 10a; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| D1657 | Untiring object. |
| D1766.1.5 | Upon praying of a saint, sea or pool is filled with sand so that people are able to cross with dry feet. *Loomis White Magic 43. |
| D1500.1.37 | Urine used in medicine. (Cf. D1002.1.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D799.2 | Valley disenchanted rises to level of surroundings. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2102.2 | Valley fills with gold at command. Gaster Rabbis 225 No. 205, Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1472.1.4 | Vegetable supporting life without other food. (Cf. D1034.) Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1533.2 | Vehicle travels above and below ground. |
| D1766.6.5 | Venomous dog killed by sign of cross. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1318.12.1 | Vessels burst and reveal disobedience. Irish: Plummer clxxxvi, Cross. |
| D1318.12 | Vessels reveal guilt. (Cf. D1171.) |
| D2156.5 | Vicious snakes easily controlled by saint. *Loomis White Magic 63f.; *Krappe Traditio V (1947) 323—330. |
| D112.1.1 | Village of lion-men. India: Thompson-Balys, Penzer I 67f. |
| D112.2.1.2 | Village of tiger-men. (Cf. B221.6.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2188.3 | Village vanishes. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 157. |
| D2145.2.2.1 | Vineyard in full fruit and blooming palm found in winter on the night of Christ's Nativity. (Cf. V211.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1502.9 | Viper body cures skin disease. (Cf. D1010.1) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1711.2 | Virgil as magician. **D. Comparetti Virgilio nel medio evo (Florence, 1896) (Eng. trans. by E. F. M. Benecke, London, 1895); *Chauvin VIII 188ff. No. 228; *Penzer I 24 n. 1; *C. G. Leland Unpublished Legends of Virgil (London, 1899); *Otto Söhring Romanische Forschungen XII (1900) 580ff.; *Hertel Verzauberte Oertlichkeiten; J. D. Bruce MPh X (1913) 511ff.; **John W. Spargo Virgil the Necromancer (Cambridge, Mass., 1934). |
| D2163.3 | Virgin Mary intercepts an arrow in battle. (Cf. V250.) *Ward II 625 No. 3. |
| D1331.2.3 | Virgin Mary's shift as banner causes blindness to opposing army. (Cf. D1058.1.)—*Ward II 603. |
| D1812.5.1.2.1 | Vision as evil omen. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2031.16 | Vision of food arises to tempt fasting women. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1594.0.2 | Vivification by hitting with bone. (Cf. D1013.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1316.5.1 | Voice comes forth from tree, revealing truth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1610.27.2 | Voice issues from ruby. (Cf. D1071.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1380.1 | Waberlohe. Magic fire surrounds and protects. (Cf. D1271.) BP I 440; *Panzer Sigfrid 281 s.v. "Waberlohe"; Seligmann 110ff., *122, 123ff., *130; Krappe Archiv für das Studium der Neueren Sprachen 1937, 1938.—Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1317.10 | Wagon refuses to move because ghost is sitting in it. (Cf. D1113, D1654.5.)—Fb "vogn" III 1078a. |
| D1654.5 | Wagon refuses to move. (Cf. D1113.) *Fb "vogn" III 1078a.; Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1978.1 | Waking from magic sleep by cutting off finger. Type 300; *Hartland Perseus III 211f.; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1978.5 | Waking from magic sleep by kiss. *Type 410. |
| D1978.2 | Waking from magic sleep by letting tear fall on sleeper. Type 300; *Hartland Perseus III 211. |
| D1978.3 | Waking from magic sleep by removal of enchanting instrument. BP I 436; *Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. XX 354; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1978 | Waking from sleep. |
| D1841.4.3 | Walking upon water without wetting the soles or garments. *Loomis White Magic 40. |
| D2143.6.2 | Wall of snow around hut in answer to prayer. (Cf. D1766.1.) Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 136 No. 97. |
| D2151.0.3 | Wall of water magically warded off. (Cf. D1549.3.1.) Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 466. |
| D1413.9.1 | Wallet (sack) from which one cannot escape. (Cf. D1192.) *Fb "pung" II 897b, "pose" II 864a.—Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 49 No. 330. |
| D2093 | Walls overthrown by magic (Jericho). *Saintyves Essais 180ff.; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1364.18 | Wand causes magic sleep. (Cf. D1254.1.)—Saintyves Perrault 63; Cox Cinderella 483.—Icelandic: Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 158, Boberg; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "baguette", "sommeil"; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1663.1 | Wands of life and death. Pointed with one end, kill; with the other, resuscitate. (Cf. D1254.1, D1402.10.) MacCulloch Childhood 205; N. A. Indian (Bella Coola): Boas JE I 54, (Chilcotin): Farrand JE II 44 No. 30. |
| D1810.8.3.1 | Warning in dream fulfilled. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1810.8.3 | Warning in dreams. Icelandic: *Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2107 | Warrior's equipment magically furnished. |
| D1812.5.1.1.6 | Washers at the ford. Appearance of female figure washing bloody armor, chariot cushions, or human limb (at ford) as sign of coming disaster in battle. (Cf. A485.1, E761.1, M301.6.1, Z129.2.2.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1349.2.2 | Washing in magic bowl produces immunity from old age. (Cf. D1172.2.)—Irish myth: *Cross. |
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