Folklore Database · Browse

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.

5,365 motifs

Page 8 of 22 · 250 per page
Thompson reference ▲ Description
F426 Spirit of water-fall. Icelandic: *Boberg; Germanic: Meyer Altgermanische 103.
F429 Other water-spirits.
F429.1 Spirit of tide-crack. Eskimo (West Hudson Bay): Boas BAM XV 497, (Mackenzie Area): Jenness 60, 510ff.
F430 Weather-spirits.
F431 Cloud-spirit. Meyer Altgermanische 100; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 38 No. 8.
F432 Wind-spirit. German: Laistner I 4, Meyer Altgermanische 97; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 37 No. 6, 38 No. 7; Jewish: Neuman; Chinese: Werner 181; Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 147; N. A. Indian (Yukon): Alexander N. Am. 78.
F433 Storm-spirit. Meyer Altgermanische 99; Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 64 No. 186; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 37 No. 4; Slovenian: *L. Kretzenbacher Germanische Mythen in der epischen Volksdichtung der Slowenen (Graz, 1941) 36-49.
F433.1 Spirit of snow. Meyer Altgermanische 104; Icelandic: Boberg.
F434 Spirit of thunder. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 37 Nos. 1, 2, 3; Chinese: Werner 199f.; Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 61f., (West Hudson Bay): Boas BAM XV 175.
F436 Spirit of cold. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 38 No. 9; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 288 nn. 61, 61a.
F437 Spirit of warmth. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 38 No. 10; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 288 nn. 61, 61a.
F438 Spirit of earthquake.
F438.1 Spirit of earthquake lives underground (below earth). India: Thompson-Balys.
F438.2 Spirit of earthquake has very long mouth. India: Thompson-Balys.
F439 Other weather-spirits.
F439.1 Rainbow spirit. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 135, 152.
F439.1.1 Rainbow draws to itself fisherman and his boat. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 37 No. 5.
F439.1.2 Rainbow spirit as helper on journey. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 515f.
F439.1.3 Rainbow spirit as messenger. Greek: Fox 241 (Iris); Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 521.
F440 Vegetation spirits. *Kittredge Gawain 195ff.; Frazer Golden Bough XII 510 s.v. "Vegetation"; Irish myth: *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys.
F440.1 Green vegetation spirit. *Kittredge Gawain 195ff.; *Fb "grön" I 504.
F441 Wood-spirit. *Type 667*; *Hdwb. d. Märchen I 198a; *Mannhardt I 87ff., 311ff.—Irish myth: Cross; U.S.: Baughman; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 204f., 226; Swedish: G. Granberg Skogsrеet (Stockholm, 1934); Finnish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 177, 185; Estonian: *Loorits Grundzüge I 521f., 546f., 559ff.; Germanic: Meyer Altgermanische 94; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 40 No. 22; Slavic: Máchal 261ff.; Persian: Carnoy 298; S. A. Indian (Warrau): *Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880, (Tapirapé): Wagley-Baldao ibid. (3) 178, (Pilcomayo, Chaco): Belaieff ibid. (1) 379; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 247, 251. See also F200F399 (Fairies and Elves), F420 (Water-spirits), F461 (Dwarfs) and F460 (Mountain-spirits) for many common motifs.
F441.1 Schrätel. An elf-like, male, malevolent wood-spirit. *Type 1161 (Schrätel instead of ogre in many versions); *Taylor MPh XVII 305ff.; *Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. XXXIII—XXXIV 33ff.
F441.2 Tree-spirit. Norse: MacCulloch Eddic 207; Finnish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 188; Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas II 203; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 211, II 44, 67, 126, 507, 574, 675, 811, 820, 898, 1014, 1158, Jataka Index s.v. "Spirits"; India: *Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Anesaki 267, 340; S. A. Indian (Caviсa, Tumapasa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 448.
F441.2.0.1 Tree-spirit persuades man to spare tree. India: *Thompson-Balys.
F441.2.1 Wood-nymph. Type 480; Roberts 121; Swedish: Hartmann 26, 27; Slavic: Máchal 262ff.; Armenian: Ananikian 84.
F441.2.1.1 Wood-nymph comes to the fire to warm. Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn II (1893) 38ff., (1928) 26ff.; Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 44 No. 56**; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 49 No. 398.
F441.2.1.2 Wood-nymph with breasts so long that she throws them over her shoulder. (Cf. F232.2, F460.1.2, G123.) Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn II (1893) 120ff., (1928) 90ff.; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 321 No. 58.
F441.2.1.3 Wood-nymph wooes and then deserts man. Norse: MacCulloch Eddic 205.
F441.2.1.4 Tree maidens bathe at midnight in lake. India: Thompson-Balys.
F441.2.2 Dryad. Female spirit dwelling among trees. Greek: Fox 270; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 564.
F441.2.3 Hamadryad. Female spirit of a particular tree. Greek: Fox 270.
F441.2.3.1 Man marries tree maiden. India: Thompson-Balys.
F441.2.3.1.1 Man marries spirit of willow tree. She must part from him when tree is cut down. Japanese: Anesaki 333.
F441.2.3.2 Tree-spirit in elder tree. England: Baughman.
F441.3 Wild man as wood-spirit. *Hdwb. d. Abergl. IX Nachträge 968—980, 984f.; Dickson 114 n. 37; Irish myth: *Cross; Norse: MacCulloch Eddic 280.
F441.4 Form of wood-spirit.
F441.4.1 Wood-spirit gigantic with one eye in center of forehead. Cheremis: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 182.
F441.4.2 Wood-spirit without hands, feet, or mouth. Africa (Kpelle): Westermann Zs. f. Afrikan. ozean., u. ostasiat. Spr. VII 161 No. 29a.
F441.4.3 Forest spirits brighter than moon. India: Thompson-Balys.
F441.4.4 Forest-spirits with wings and with backward-pointing fingers and toes. (Cf. F401.9, F451.2.2.1.) Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 14, 46.
F441.4.5 Wood-spirits with such heavy eyebrows they must lie on backs to see upwards. (Cf. F571.1.) S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880.
F441.4.6 Wood-spirits with teeth on stomach. S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880.
F441.5 Size of wood-spirit.
F441.5.1 Wood-spirit tiny. (Cf. F239.4.3, F535.) S. A. Indian (Pitcomayo-Chaco): Belaieff BBAE CXLIII (1) 379.
F441.5.2 Wood-spirit gigantic. (Cf. F232.6, F531.) S. A. Indian (Pitcomayo-Chaco): Belaieff BBAE CXLIII (1) 379.
F441.6 Deeds of wood-spirits.
F441.6.1 Wood-spirits responsible for sickness and failure. S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880.
F441.6.2 Wood-spirits transform men into animals. S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880.
F441.6.3 Sexual relations with wood-spirit fatal. S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880.
F441.6.4 Wood-spirit calls after one in woods (Hehmann). **E. Rath Der Hehmann (Wien, 1953).
F442 Pan. Wood-spirit (demigod) part goat and part man. Greek: Fox 267.
F442.1 Mysterious voice announces death of Pan. *Taylor Washington University Studies X (Humanistic Series) 3ff.; *Fb "röst"; *Boberg Sagnet om den Store Pans Død (København 1934); Boberg Noch einmal die Sage vom Tode des Grossen Pan (Ciassica et Mediaevalia III 119—132).—Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 45 No. 50; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3908; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 123 No. 45.
F443 Echo as wood-spirit.
F443.1 Echo as wood-spirit kidnaps and crazes man. India: Thompson-Balys.
F445 Field-spirits. Meyer Altgermanische 108, Meyer Germanen 209ff.; Finnish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 246; Slavic: Máchal 267ff.; Africa (Cameroon): Gantenbein 68.
F445.1 Crop-spirits. Wehrhan 75f.
F445.1.1 Tobacco-spirit. S. A. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 684.
F447 Flower-spirits. Japanese: Anesaki 342ff.
F450 Underground spirits. (Cf. F200F399, Fairies and Elves.) Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 4ff., (1928) 9ff.; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 228ff.; Finnish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 178; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 45ff.; Persian Carnoy 298.
F450.0.1 Voetter (generalized underground spirit). Scandinavian: *Hartmann 30—32.
F450.1 Helpful underground spirit.
F450.1.1 Helpful spirit warriors dwell in rocks and hills. N. A. Indian (Cherokee): Alexander N. Am. 68.
F450.1.2 Underground spirit instructs a smith. (Cf. F451.3.4.2.) Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 126 No. 57.
F451 Dwarf.1 (Underground spirit.) The dwarf, especially in Northern Europe, is considered an underground spirit. He is to be distinguished from the other conception of dwarf, viz., a very small person, pigmy, or thumbling (F535). Types 480, 403B; *Roberts 123; **Lutjens Der Zwerg in der deutschen Heldendichtung des Mittelalters (Breslau, 1911); *Wehrhan 67; *Thien 42; *Gould Scandinavian Studies and Notes IX 190; *De Boor Der Zwerg in Skandinavien (Mogk Festschrift 536); *Ritchie Zwerge in Geschichte u. überlieferung (Globus LXXXII 101); *Tegethoff Schweiz. Archiv f. Vksk. XXIV 147; Jensen Zs. f. Vksk. II 407; *Hdwb. d. Abergl. IX Nachträge 1008—1120. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 264ff., 287; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892, new series 1928); Norwegian: Solheim Register 18; French: F. Wolgemuth Riesen u. Zwerge in der altfranzösischen erzählenden Dichtung (Tübingen, 1906); Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 326; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 356 n. 287a. See also F200F399 (Fairies and Elves), F420 (Water-spirits), and F460 (Mountain-spirits) for many common motifs.
F451.0.1 Luchrupáin (leprechauns) (as fairies). Irish myth: *Cross.
F451.1 Origin of dwarfs. *Fb "dværg" I 220b; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 264f., Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 3ff., (1928) 7ff.
F451.1.1 Dwarfs originate from maggots in flesh of giant. Norse: De la Saussaye 318.
F451.1.1.1 Dwarfs originate from the blood and bones of giant. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 264.
F451.1.2 Murderer's children become dwarfs. *Fb "dværg" I 220b.
F451.1.3 Dwarfs came after giants had almost died out. German: Haas Grimmen 46 No. 54.
F451.1.4 Dwarfs came into the land 1000 years before mortals came. German: Haas Grimmen 46 No. 54.
F451.1.5 Dwarf as reincarnation.
F451.1.5.1 Dwarf as reincarnation of rat. Korean: Zong in-Sob 64.
F451.2 Appearance of dwarf. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271, *Boberg.
F451.2.0.1 Dwarfs are ugly. German: Haas Greifswald. 38 No. 41.
F451.2.0.2 Dwarfs are grown over with moss. German: Pröhle 113 No. 298.
F451.2.0.3 Dwarfs walk stooped. German: Findeisen 39 No. 43.
F451.2.0.4 Dwarfs appear nodding and anxious to speak. German: Bindewald 84.
F451.2.0.5 During the day dwarfs appear in form of toads or other vermin. German: Haas Greifswald. 36 No. 39, 38 No. 40.
F451.2.0.6 Dwarfs are pale. Icelandic: Boberg.
F451.2.1 Body of dwarf.
F451.2.1.1 Dwarfs are small. (Cf. F239.4.3, F441.5.1.) German: Eckart 20, Bindewald 56, 83f, 87, 188, Findeisen 3 No. 5, 39 No. 43, Pröhle Unterharzische 113 No. 298.
F451.2.1.2 Dwarf with body like tailless hen. Tobler 59.
F451.2.1.3 Dwarf with small body and large head. *Fb "dværg" I 220b; Zs. f. d. Phil. XXVI 12f.
F451.2.1.4 Hunchback dwarf. (Cf. F420.1.4.4.) Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 63 No. 9.
F451.2.2 Feet of dwarf.
F451.2.2.1 Dwarf's feet twisted backward. Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 322 No. 86.
F451.2.2.2 Dwarf with bird feet. (Cf. F401.3.5. and cross-references.) *Gaster Germania XXV 290ff.; Tobler 60; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271.
F451.2.2.3 Dwarfs with goat feet. (Cf. B24, F442.) Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271.
F451.2.3 The beards of dwarfs.
F451.2.3.1 Long-bearded dwarf. (Cf. F451.6.1.) *Type 426; Köhler-Bolte I 545; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "nain"; Missouri French: Carrière.
F451.2.3.1.1 Dwarfs have long beards in three strands. Tegethoff Schweiz. Archiv f. Vksk. XXIV 148.
F451.2.3.2 Dwarfs have gray beards. German: Eckart 22, Kahlo Harzes 55 No. 92, Bindewald 56.
F451.2.4 The hair of dwarfs.
F451.2.4.1 Dwarfs have coarse hair. German: Eckart 20, Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 II.
F451.2.4.2 Dwarfs have silvery white hair. German: Bindewald 56.
F451.2.5 Face of dwarf.
F451.2.5.1 Dwarfs have old face. Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 30 No. 263; German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 II.
F451.2.6 Other bodily characteristics of dwarfs.
F451.2.7 Dress of dwarf.
F451.2.7.1 Dwarfs with red heads and red caps. (Cf. F236.3.2, F460.1.4.2.) Fb "rød" III 116b, "rød dreng" III 117b; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 30 No. 263.
F451.2.7.2 Dwarf clad in green. (Cf. F420.1.6.6.3.) English: Wells 134 (Sir Degare); Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 6ff., (1928) 11ff.
F451.2.7.3 Dwarfs referred to as "gray", not specifying whether as to dress or hair. (Cf. F236.1.4, F420.1.6.6.2.) Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271; German: Schöppner I 169 No. 163, I 354 No. 351, Bindewald 83, 84, 188.
F451.2.7.4 Dwarfs clad in white. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 266; German: Kahlo Harzes 69 No. 109.
F451.2.7.5 Dwarfs wear red coats. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 272, *Boberg; German: Kapff 45, Schöppner I 354 No. 351.
F451.2.7.6 Dwarfs wear peculiar caps. (Cf. F451.2.7.1.) German: Kapff 45.
F451.2.7.7 Dwarf king wears costly crown. German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 II.
F451.2.7.8 Dwarf clad in brown. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 266.
F451.2.7.9 Dwarf clad in black. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 266, 268.
F451.2.7.10 Dwarfs clad in motley. German: Grimm No. 163.
F451.2.8 Voice of dwarfs (echo). Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 269, *Boberg.
F451.3 Characteristics of dwarfs.
F451.3.1 Power of dwarf in his belt. *Fb "bælte" IV 84a.
F451.3.2 Dwarf rendered powerless.
F451.3.2.1 Dwarfs turn to stone at sunrise. Hdwb. d. Märchens I 433a nn. 86—91; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 10, 197, 269, 270.
F451.3.2.1.1 Dwarf prevented from getting into his stone before sunrise till he promises to do what hero demands (especially forge weapons). (Cf. D451.3.4.2, D451.4.1.12, F451.5.2.13.) Icelandic: *Boberg.
F451.3.2.1.2 Dwarf otherwise caught and thus forced to procure what hero demands. Icelandic: Völsunga saga ch. 14, Þiðriks saga I 34—38, Boberg.
F451.3.2.2 Dwarfs must return to spirit world by 1 a.m. German: Eckart 69, Winckler 56 No. 57.
F451.3.2.3 Dwarfs cannot harm mortal with circle drawn around him. German: Eckart 69.
F451.3.2.4 Dwarf can be killed only with snowball. Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 248.
F451.3.3 Dwarf as magician. Dickson 219 n. 8; Icelandic: *Boberg; German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 II.
F451.3.3.0.1 Dwarf can take what shape he wants. Icelandic: Völsunga saga ch. 14 (Andvari), Zs. f. d. Phil. XXVI 12—13, Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 307ff., Boberg.
F451.3.3.1 Dwarfs turn peas into gold pieces. German: Karstens-Goslar 102.
F451.3.3.2 Dwarf turns gold into lead. German: Förstner Kyffhäusersagen 22.
F451.3.3.3 Dwarfs transform people (animals). German: Ey 9, Kahlo Harzes 30 No. 51.
F451.3.3.4 Dwarfs free mortals from enchantment. German: Bindewald 56, 142, Findeisen 39 No. 43.
F451.3.3.5 Dwarfs bewitch cows to give no milk. German: Karstens-Goslar 103.
F451.3.3.5.1 Dwarfs bewitch people. Icelandic: Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 300, *Boberg.
F451.3.3.6 Dwarfs fly through air. German: Pröhle Unterharzische 171 No. 453.
F451.3.3.7 Dwarfs predict. Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 155, Bindewald 188.
F451.3.3.8 Dwarfs made invisible by magic caps. (Cf. F451.5.1.7., F455.5.3.) Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 269; German: Eckart 7, 27, 79, Pröhle Harzsagen Nos. 220, 220 I, 229, Sieber 62, Pröhle Unterharz. 145 No. 368.
F451.3.4 Dwarfs as workmen. Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 54 Nos. 52, 53.
F451.3.4.0.1 Dwarf workmen heard at night. Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 55 No. 61.
F451.3.4.1 Dwarfs as artificers. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 123, 265ff., *Boberg.
F451.3.4.1.1 Dwarfs build tower. Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 54 No. 51.
F451.3.4.2 Dwarfs as smiths. Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 23ff., (1928) 26ff.; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 66, 266ff., *Boberg; German: Haas Grimmen 46 No. 54, Karstens-Goslar 135.
F451.3.4.3 Dwarfs do farming. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 270; German: Haas Greifswald. 46 No. 54.
F451.3.4.4 Dwarf sews. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "nain"; Icelandic: Boberg.
F451.3.4.5 Dwarf bakes bread. *Boberg DF XLVI; Hoffman-Krayer Zs. f. Vksk. XXV 119 n. 4; German: Schöppner I 186 No. 184.
F451.3.4.6 Dwarfs spin. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 270, 271; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 53ff., (1928) 46ff.
F451.3.4.7 Dwarfs churn. Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 460.
F451.3.4.8 Dwarfs carry water. Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 47ff., (1928) 42ff.
F451.3.4.9 Dwarf expert at making palm wine. Africa (Upoto): Einstein 133.
F451.3.4.10 Dwarf splits wood using penis as wedge. Africa (Fang): Tessman 136.
F451.3.4.11 Dwarf can draw entrails out of elephant. Africa (Fang): Tessman 139.
F451.3.5 Dwarfs are subject to laws of nature.
F451.3.5.1 Dwarfs die. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 130; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 75ff., 94ff., (1928) 62ff., 76ff.; German: Pröhle Unterharz. 112 No. 292, Sieber 61.
F451.3.5.2 Dwarfs become ill. German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 189, Sieber 60.
F451.3.5.3 Dwarf children are hungry. German: Schöppner I 186 No. 184.
F451.3.5.4 Dwarfs have blood. German: Pröhle Unterharz. 112 No. 294.
F451.3.5.5 Dwarf women bear children. Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 74, (1928) 63.
F451.3.6 Dwarfs are sensitive.
F451.3.6.1 Dwarf is insulted when scolded. Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 55 No. 64; German: Schöppner I 264 No. 271.
F451.3.6.2 Dwarfs dislike teasing. (Cf. F451.9.1.7.) German: Sieber 61.
F451.3.6.3 Dwarfs dislike tobacco smoke. German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 IV.
F451.3.6.4 Dwarfs accept as gift goose but not gander. German: Kapff 45.
F451.3.6.5 Dwarfs timorous.
F451.3.6.5.1 Dwarfs fear the dark. Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen I 256.
F451.3.6.5.2 Dwarfs fear dogs. Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen I 256.
F451.3.7 Dwarfs are particular as to food.
F451.3.7.1 Dwarfs dislike caraway seed in food. German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 229, Pröhle Unterharz. 145 No. 367, Sieber 61f.
F451.3.7.2 Dwarfs dislike bread baked without salt. German: Sieber 61.
F451.3.7.3 Dwarfs given inedible food to eat. Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 55ff. No. 66.
F451.3.8 Dwarfs are strong.
F451.3.8.1 Dwarf carries mortal down from Hibichenstein. German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 III.
F451.3.9 Dwarfs are weak.
F451.3.9.1 Dwarf groans while carrying an ear of corn. German: Schöppner I 264 No. 271.
F451.3.10 Dwarfs are droll. German: Winckler 34 No. 24.
F451.3.11 Great age of dwarfs. BP I 497; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271; German: Bindewald 56, Pröhle Unterharz. 112 Nos. 293, 295, Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 II.
F451.3.12 Dwarfs are intelligent. Irish myth: *Cross.
F451.3.12.1 Dwarfs know herbs. German: Kahlo Harz. 26 No. 47, Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 II, Kapff 44, 45.
F451.3.12.2 Dwarfs are sensible. German: Pröhle Unterharz. 113 No. 298.
F451.3.12.3 Dwarfs are wise. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 92, 265, *Boberg.
F451.3.12.4 Dwarfs cut runes. Icelandic: Boberg.
F451.3.13 Dwarfs are ill-mannered.
F451.3.13.1 Eating dwarfs smack like hogs. German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 229.
F451.3.13.2 Dwarfs chatter. German: Karstens-Goslar 122.
F451.3.13.2.1 Dwarfs chatter like geese. German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 229, Sieber 62.
F451.3.13.3 Dwarf breaks wind so hard he capsizes canoes. Marquesas: Handy 126.
F451.3.14 Dwarfs are numerous.
F451.3.14.1 Dwarfs come into the land by the hundreds. German: Haas Grimmen 46 No. 54.
F451.3.15 Dwarfs are superstitious.
F451.3.15.1 Dwarfs are superstitious about the three sevens in 1777. (Cf. F451.9.1.3.) German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 60.
F451.3.16 Dwarfs are artful. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 268—69.
F451.4 Home of dwarfs.
F451.4.1 Dwarfs live under the ground. Icelandic: Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 308, MacCulloch Eddic 265, 269; German: Haas Grimmen 46 No. 54; Missouri French: Carrière.
F451.4.1.1 Dwarfs live in caves. German: Schöppner I 186 No. 184, Eckart 7, 27, Pröhle Unterharz. 145 No. 367, Boberg.
F451.4.1.2 Dwarfs live in underground castle. German: Kapff 44.
F451.4.1.3 Dwarfs live in luxurious underground palace. German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 III.
F451.4.1.4 Dwarfs live in underground passage. German: Schöppner I 264 No. 271.
F451.4.1.5 Dwarf home is underground, beneath cow stable. (Cf. F451.4.4.3.) Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 46 No. 387; German: Findeisen No. 5.
F451.4.1.6 Dwarfs undermine lowlands for homes. German: Haas Greifswald 39 No. 42.
F451.4.1.7 Entrance to dwarf home leads through some filthy place under the swill hole or swill tub. German: Haas Greifswald. 36 No. 39, 38 No. 40.
F451.4.1.8 Dwarfs live in the high banks of the seashore. German: Haas Grimmen 46 No. 54.
F451.4.1.9 Burial places (barrows, howes) as homes of dwarfs. *Gould Scandinavian Studies and Notes IX 190; Icelandic: *Boberg; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) spec. 151ff., (1928) 107ff.
F451.4.1.10 Snow melts above dwarf's dwelling. Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 46 No. 385; Icelandic: *Boberg.
F451.4.1.11 Dwarfs live in hills and mountains. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 267—70.
F451.4.1.12 Dwarfs live in stones. (Cf. F451.3.2.1.1.) *Fb "sten" III 552b; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 265, 268—70, *Boberg; Danish: Schmidt DF XXXIX 27, 108ff.
F451.4.2 Dwarfs have homes above the ground.
F451.4.2.1 Dwarfs live in a cliff. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 269, *Boberg; German: Eckart 20, 22; Pröhle Harz. No. 269.
F451.4.2.2 Dwarfs live in ravines. German: Haas Grimmen 46 No. 54.
F451.4.2.3 Dwarfs live in a forest. German: Pröhle Unterharz. 171 No. 453, Kapff 44.
F451.4.2.4 Dwarfs live in a church. German: Pröhle Unterharz. 112 No. 294.
F451.4.2.5 Dwarf king lives in a mill. German: Pröhle Unterharz. 145 No. 368.
F451.4.2.6 Dwarfs seen on a mountain. Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 47 No. 393.
F451.4.3 Description of dwarf home.
F451.4.3.1 Dwarf cave closed by iron doors. German: Karstens-Goslar 135.
F451.4.3.1.1 Dwarfs' rock closed by rock-door. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 269.
F451.4.3.2 Dwarf cave has large square room with little doors leading to all sides. German: Schöppner I 186 No. 184.
F451.4.3.3 Dwarf cave has ceiling of mineral white as snow. German: Eckart 22.
F451.4.3.4 Dwarf home has chandelier of crystals and gems. (Cf. F420.2.1.) German: Eckart 22.
F451.4.3.5 Floors in dwarf home are covered with pine twigs. German: Eckart 22.
F451.4.3.6 Dwarfs' castle of gold. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 319, 265.
F451.4.3.7 Magic flower opens dwarf home. German: Beckstein 6, Winckler 34 No. 24, Karstens-Goslar 41, Schöppner I 165 No. 158.
F451.4.3.8 Dwarfs' house of reeds. German: Grimm Nos. 55, 163, 169.
F451.4.3.9 Dwarfs' house covered with skin of fabulous six-legged animal. Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 247.
F451.4.4 Home of dwarfs is endangered or destroyed.
F451.4.4.1 Dwarfs resentful that mortals shoot at birds above Hibichenstein, because this crumbles away the cliff. German: Eckart 22, Pröhle Harz. No. 137 III.
F451.4.4.2 Thirty-Years War destroys home of dwarfs. German: Eckart 22, Pröhle Harz. No. 137 III.
F451.4.4.3 Dwarfs request that cow stable be moved because it is above their home and the seepage strikes their dining table. (Cf. F381.7, F451.4.1.5.) Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 325ff., (1928) 207ff.; German: Findeisen 3 No. 5; Icelandic: Boberg.
F451.4.4.3.1 Dwarf wishes death to mortal who throws water on his dunghill home. Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen I 254.
F451.4.5 Government among dwarfs.
F451.4.5.1 Dwarfs are ruled by a king. Irish myth: *Cross; German: Eckart 7, 20, 22, Ey 29, Kahlo Harz. 30 No. 51, Pröhle Harz. No. 137 II MacCulloch Eddic 266, 271, 272.
F451.4.6 In dwarf land sunrise is at midnight. German: Eckart 7.
F451.5 Dwarfs and human beings.
F451.5.1 Helpful dwarfs. *Types 403, 709; BP I 450 ff.; Böcklen Sneewittchenstudien 84f.; BP I 99, Dickson 218.—Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 270, 272, *Boberg; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 53ff., 437—38, (1928) 47ff.; German: Eckart 79, Ey 29, Haas Grimmen 46 No. 54, Haas Greifswald 36 No. 39, Bindewald 56, 84, Kapff 45; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 41 No. 301; Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 63 No. 9.
F451.5.1.1 Dwarf as godfather. Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 308 No. 4.
F451.5.1.2 Dwarfs adopt girl as sister. *Type 709; BP I 450ff.; *Böcklen Sneewittchenstudien 94ff.
F451.5.1.3 Dwarfs make new golden hair for woman. Norse: De la Saussaye 239 (Sif, Thor's wife).
F451.5.1.4 Dwarfs' gold. Seemingly worthless gift given by dwarfs turns to gold. *Type 503; Feilberg DF V 50, 75, 99; Grimm Deutsche Myth. I 228f., 400.—Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 344ff., (1928) 221ff.; German: Eckart 7, 20, 27, 78, Schöppner I 169 No. 163, I 180 No. 175, Bechstein 6, Winckler 34 No. 24, Sieber 63, Kahlo Harz. 26 No. 47, Pröhle Harz. No. 137 II; Russian: Ralston Songs of the Russian People 159; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 303 No. 23, 308 Nos. 2, 4, 326 No. 2; French: Sébillot France I 259; Indonesian: Voorhoeve 116 No. 93.
F451.5.1.5 Money or treasure given by dwarfs. (Cf. F420.5.1.7.1.) Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 268; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 46 No. 386; German: Haas Greifswald 38 No. 40, 40 No. 44, Bindewald 188, Pröhle Harz. No. 137 III, No. 168 I, No. 220 II, Schöppner I 165 No. 158, Ey 29.
F451.5.1.5.1 Dwarf king turns mill which produces gold. Krappe Revue Archéologique (1931) 142ff.
F451.5.1.6 Other gifts from dwarfs. Boberg DF XLVI 49ff.; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 267 (sword), 272, *Boberg; Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 57ff. No. 71—105; German: Pröhle Unterharz. 150 No. 379, Karstens-Goslar 155, Ey 9, Kahlo Harz. 67 No. 107, Bechstein 6, Winckler 34 No. 24; Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 241, Rink 185, 463.
F451.5.1.6.1 Dwarfs' gifts cease when mortal betrays the source. (Cf. C420, F348.5.) Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 463.
F451.5.1.7 Dwarfs serve mortals. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Boberg; German: MacCulloch Eddic 270, Haas Greifswald 36 No. 39, Schöppner I 264 No. 271, I 354 Nos. 35, 35@1, Pröhle Harz. No. 137 II, No. 229, Sieber 60, 283, Kapff 45.
F451.5.1.8 Dwarf serves king sleeping in mountain (Kyffhäuser). Bechstein II 1, 6, 8, 9, Förstner Kyffhäuser 7, 9, 16f., 21f., Kahlo Harz. 51 No. 86, 71 No. 112.
F451.5.1.9 Dwarfs direct mortals to treasure. Kahlo Harz. 54 No. 91, 67 No. 107, 69 No. 109, Karstens-Goslar 122.
F451.5.1.10 Dwarfs heal (give medicine). Icelandic: *Boberg; German: Kahlo Harz. 26 No. 47, Kapff 44, Sieber 283, Eckhart 20.
F451.5.1.11 Dwarfs lend to mortals. Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn (1892) 19ff., (1928) 91ff.; German: Pröhle Harz Nos. 189, 269, Pröhle Unterharz. 145 No. 367.
F451.5.1.12 Dwarf moves mortal's castle from one mountain to another. German: Kahlo Harz. 55 No. 92.
F451.5.1.13 Dwarf washes, combs, and braids hair for sleeping maids. German: Hohaus 123.
F451.5.1.14 Dwarf conducts shepherd to hell to collect debt from nobleman. German: Sieber 100.
F451.5.1.15 Dwarfs warm heath by underground fire. Karstens-Goslar 103.
F451.5.1.16 Dwarf king prevents a father from shooting his son. Pröhle Harz. No. 137 III.
F451.5.1.17 Dwarfs protect the forest. Pröhle Harz. No. 137 II.
F451.5.1.18 Dwarfs teach mortals. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 267, *Boberg.
F451.5.1.19 Dwarfs help human beings with spinning. Type 500; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271.
F451.5.1.20 Dwarfs help in performing task. German: Grimm Nos. 13, 55, 64, 91.
F451.5.1.21 House of dwarf's friend spared in fire. Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 57 No. 83.