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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 ▲ |
|---|---|
| A1335.3 | Origin of death from unwise choice. Choice between two bundles, one containing tempting articles, the other everlasting life. People choose the large bundle and lose everlasting life.—Congo: Weeks 218 No. 13. |
| A1335.4 | Origin of death when early people put on new skins. Child fails to recognize mother, who puts old skin back on.—Wesselski Theorie 45. |
| A1335.6.1 | Origin of death: disrespectful answer to God. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1335.6 | Origin of death: punishment for scorning deity. Wesselski Theorie 45; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1335.5 | Origin of death: serpent given immortality instead of man. Renews his skin.—**Delarue Nouvelle Revue des Traditions Populaires (1950) 262—275; Wesselski Theorie 45; Gaster: Oldest Stories 81. |
| A1335.1.1 | Origin of death: wrong messenger goes to God. Wesselski Theorie 44. |
| A1335 | Origin of death. S. S. Cohon The Origin of Death (Journal of Jewish Lore and Philosophy [1919]); Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 377; Japanese: Anesaki 224, 233; Burmese: Scott IndoChinese 264.—Africa (Angola): Wagener Afrikanische Parallelen 9ff., Chatelain 249, (Bushman): Bleek and Lloyd 60, (Congo): Weeks 217 No. 12, (Ekoi): Talbot 177, (Liberian): Bundy JAFL XXXII 407f., (Fang): Trilles 131.—Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 178; Maori: Dixon 54; Australian: ibid. 285; Melanesian: ibid. 117f. *n. 53; Micronesian: ibid. 252f.; Indonesian: ibid. 170 (Borneo), 174, *182; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 43; Raratonga: ibid. 158; Banks Is.: ibid. 61.—N. A. Indian: R. Dangel Mythen vom Ursprung dies Todes bei den Indianern Nordamerikas (Mitt. der Anthrop. Gesellschaft in Wien LVIII [1928] 341—374); *Krappe Nieuw Theologisch Tijdschrift (1928) 242ff.; *Thompson Tales 284 n. 51; Chitimacha: Swanton JAFL XXX 476; Sinkyone: Kroeber JAFL XXXII 346; Tahltan: Teit *JAFL XXXII 206f.; Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 64; Eskimo (Kodiak): Golder JAFL XX 486, (Cape York): Rasmussen III 48, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 173; S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 171, (Cubeo): Goldman BBAE CXLIII (3) 798, (Yuracare): Métraux ibid. (3) 503, (Warrau): Kirchoff ibid. (3) 880. |
| A1465 | Origin of decorative art. |
| A1556.3.1 | Origin of decrying female sinners. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1875 | Origin of deer. India: Thompson-Balys (A1888). |
| G302.1 | Origin of demons and their companions. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| A2831 | Origin of demons. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2312.3 | Origin of dents in crab's shell. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (3—G 13/420). |
| A957 | Origin of desert. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1465.3.2 | Origin of designs on cloth. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 100. |
| A1132 | Origin of dew. Knoop Zs. f. Vksk. XXII 89; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 331ff.; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1565 | Origin of diet during confinement. Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 54. |
| A1659 | Origin of different classes—miscellaneous. |
| A1650 | Origin of different classes—social and professional. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 153. |
| A1614.4.3 | Origin of different peoples according to choice of bows and arrows or else guns, horses and cattle. Indians choose the former, whites the latter.—S. Am. Indian (Paressi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 360. |
| A1614.4.2 | Origin of different peoples according to choice of chairs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1650.3 | Origin of different trades. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| A1337 | Origin of disease. *Dh I 98ff.—Finnish Kalevala rune 45; Greek: Grote I 72 (Pandora's Box); Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 461; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 187.—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 278, 282; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 113, 502; Shasta: Frachtenberg JAFL XXVIII 227; S. Am. Indian (Cubeo): Goldman BBAE CXLIII (3) 798. |
| A1456 | Origin of distilling. Learned from devil. (Cf. A1427.2.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 85 No. 31; cf. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 86, 87 No. 52, 53; India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 54. |
| A1440.2 | Origin of distribution of work. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1654.2 | Origin of diviners. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1558 | Origin of divorce. Africa (Akan-Ashanti): Rattray 242 No. 62. |
| A1545.3.1 | Origin of dog sacrifices. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2513.1 | Origin of dog's service. Dog must serve and obey man for meager recompense. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3109; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2311.1 | Origin of dog's skin. (See A2210, A2229.2.)—Dh I 98ff., III 7. |
| A1443 | Origin of domestication of animals. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3108; Greek: Aeschylus Prometheus Bound, lines 462-465, Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Africa: Stanley 43, 196, (Bushongo): Torday 242f., (Fang): Tessman 18f. |
| A1541.4.2 | Origin of dragon festival. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 238 No. 185. |
| B11.1 | Origin of dragon. |
| A1399.2 | Origin of dreams. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1514.1 | Origin of drinking ceremonies. Tonga: Gifford 35, 47, 72, 74. |
| A2824 | Origin of drum. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1386 | Origin of drunkenness. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1341.2 | Origin of duelling. 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. |
| A1453.3 | Origin of dyeing. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1439.2 | Origin of dyes. India: Thompson-Balys; Easter Is.: Métraux Ethnology 317. |
| A1316.4 | Origin of ears. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2182.3 | Origin of earth-worm. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1510 | Origin of eating customs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1517 | Origin of eating tabus. Tonga: Gifford 80; New Guinea: Ker 13, 52; Africa: Bouveignes 15. |
| A1195 | Origin of echo. Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 172. |
| A737.0.1 | Origin of eclipse of moon. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2686.4 | Origin of edible roots. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1465.2 | Origin of embroidery. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A978.3 | Origin of emeralds from marvelous vase broken into pieces. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2585.1 | Origin of enmity between serpent and man. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1337.3 | Origin of epilepsy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1599.2 | Origin of erection of monuments to mark boundaries. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1611.1.2 | Origin of Eskimo. Eskimo (East Greenland): Holm 57. |
| A1313.0.1 | Origin of eunuchs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A781.2 | Origin of Evening Star. Greek: Fox 247; Maori: Clark 50; Tonga: Gifford 110. |
| A1384.1 | Origin of evil inclinations: punishment for fall of man. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1384 | Origin of evil inclinations. |
| A1553 | Origin of exogamy and endogamy. |
| A1553.1 | Origin of exogamy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1315.6 | Origin of eyelashes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1316.3 | Origin of eyes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1316 | Origin of facial features. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F251 | Origin of fairies. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| A935 | Origin of falls (cataracts). Irish myth: Cross.—Malecite: Speck JAFL XXX 480; S. A. Indian (Chibcha): Kroeber BBAE CXLIII (2) 908; African (Upoto): Einstein 135. |
| A1578.1 | Origin of family crests. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII *235-238. |
| A1578 | Origin of family insignia. |
| A1382 | Origin of fear. |
| A1541.1 | Origin of feast for the dead. (Cf. A1543.1.)—Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 238. |
| A1541.2.1 | Origin of feast for Zise. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1535.4 | Origin of feast of Tara. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1541.2 | Origin of feasts in honor of certain god (goddess). Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1313.2 | Origin of female sex-organs. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 6 No. 22, XXXIII 52 No. 22; India: *Thompson-Balys; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 141 No. 14; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3040, Balys Legends Nos. 50-57; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 83f. Nos. 27, 29, 30; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 84 No. 22. |
| A1337.4 | Origin of fever. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1658.1 | Origin of fiana (bands of professional warriors). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1311.3 | Origin of fingernails. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1546.6 | Origin of fire worship. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1414.3 | Origin of fire—children strike rocks together, accidentally produce fire. Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 60. |
| A1414.2 | Origin of fire—found in person's own body. Australian, New Guinea, Torres Str., Massim (British New Guinea): Dixon 115 n. 47; Marquesas: Handy 13; S. Am. Indian (Warrau): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 146. |
| A1414.4 | Origin of fire—gift from god (supernatural person). India: Thompson-Balys.—Maori: Clark 42; Isabel Is.: Beckwith Myth 504; Hawaii: ibid. 499; S. Am. Indian (Sherente): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (1) 515, (Cashiba): Steward-Métraux ibid. (3) 595, (Chamacoco): Métraux ibid. (1) 368, (Warrau): Kirchoff ibid. (3) 880, (Caviсa, Tumupasa): Métraux ibid. 448, (Chiriguano): *Métraux RMLP XXXIII 171, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 54; Africa: Bouvergnes 14f., (Bushongo): Torday 237, (Congo): Weeks 205f. |
| A1414.1 | Origin of fire—rubbing sticks. Greek: Fox 192 (Hermes); Jewish: Neuman.—Kaffir: Kidd 253 No. 13; Marquesas: Handy 13. |
| A1414 | Origin of fire. **Frazer Fire.—Irish myth: Cross; Persian: Carnoy 284.—Micronesian: Dixon 254f.; N. A. Indian (Kaska): *Teit JAFL XXX 443, (Tahltan): Teit JAFL XXXII 219, (Sinkyone): Kroeber JAFL XXXII 347, (Shasta): Frachtenberg JAFL XXVIII 210, (Calif. Indian): Gayton and Newman 63; Aztec: Alexander Lat. Am. 93; S. Am. Indian (Jibaro, Peru): Karsten (rev. JAFL XXXII 446), (Tropical Forest): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (3) 55, (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 158, 171. |
| A1271 | Origin of first parents. |
| A2834 | Origin of fish drug. S. Am. Indian: Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 253. |
| A1457.6 | Origin of fish ponds. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 19. |
| A1457.5 | Origin of fish-traps. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 194f. |
| A2305.1 | Origin of fish's flat body. (See A2231.9.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 89 No. 119a. |
| A2315 | Origin of fish's scales. |
| A1457.4 | Origin of fishing stations. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 19, 22f. |
| A1457 | Origin of fishing. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Cubao): BBAE CXLIII (3) 798. |
| A2684.1 | Origin of flax. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 112. |
| A2032.3 | Origin of flea: from squirrel. (Cf. A1710.).—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 93 No. 105. |
| A1414.5 | Origin of flint and tinder. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2815 | Origin of floating webs in summer. *Dh II 254. |
| A2126.0.1 | Origin of flounder from Virgin Mary's half-eaten fish. (See A2305.1.2.)—*Dh II 1ff.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 21 No. 116, XXXIII 55 No. 116; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 91 No. 91; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 149 No. 64; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3180, Legends No. 282. |
| A2126 | Origin of flounder. |
| A2305.1.2 | Origin of flounder's flat body. (See A2126.)—*Dh I 248, 290, II 1ff., 269, III 35. |
| A2650 | Origin of flowers. (See A2617.1, A2621.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1117 | Origin of foam on waters. West Indian: Parsons JAFL XXXII 443. |
| A1420.1 | Origin of food from body of slain food-goddess. (Cf. A2611.1). Japanese: Anesaki 232, Ikeda. |
| A2657 | Origin of forget-me-not. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 255*. |
| A925.3 | Origin of foul odor of sea. Jewish: Neuman; Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 3/1110). |
| A925.4 | Origin of fresh water welling up in sea. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 96. |
| A2162 | Origin of frog. Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 55 No. 11; Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 38 No. 55 (Cf. A1710).—Lithuanian: Balys Legends Nos. 127fl, 202; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Naskapi: Speck JAFL XXVIII 74. |
| A1135.3 | Origin of frost. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 22; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2687 | Origin of fruits. |
| A1547 | Origin of funeral customs. Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A1547.1 | Origin of funeral sacrifices. (Cf. A1545.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1465.3.1 | Origin of gadaba ornaments. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1535.3 | Origin of games (fair) at Telltown (Tailtiu). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1535.2 | Origin of games and fairs. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1468 | Origin of games of skill (indoor). |
| A2691.3 | Origin of ganja. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1611.5.3 | Origin of Germans. Jewish: Neuman. |
| F531.6.1 | Origin of giants. (Cf. F531.5.7.1.2.) Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 275. |
| A2033.1 | Origin of gnats in Lapland. Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 39 No. 60. |
| A119 | Origin of gods—miscellaneous. |
| A1433.1 | Origin of gold coins. Surinam: Penard JAFL XXX 248. |
| A1447.3 | Origin of goldsmith work. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2321.1 | Origin of goose's crest. Dh III 18. |
| A2686.7 | Origin of gourds. S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 473. |
| A1582 | Origin of government. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1435.3 | Origin of grass huts to replace caves as dwellings. Papua: Ker 135. |
| A2683 | Origin of grass. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1541.1.1 | Origin of grave-digging Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1611.5.1 | Origin of Greeks. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2755.3.2 | Origin of gum in myrrh tree. (Cf. A2731.2.)—Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 86 n. 2. |
| A1611.2 | Origin of Gypsies. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 5 No. 12; Irish: Beal XXI 304, 325f. |
| A1135.4 | Origin of hail. S. Am. Indian (Aymara): Tschopik BBAE CXLIII (2) 571. |
| A1315 | Origin of hair and beard. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2322 | Origin of hair and mane. Dh III 34f. |
| A1315.4 | Origin of hair around mouth and eyes. Original dispute between Hair and Stomach. Stomach compelled to stay on inside of man. Hair stands on guard at mouth and eyes to see that Stomach does not escape.—Ekoi: Talbot 394. |
| A1541.3.1 | Origin of Hallowe'en as a mystic night. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1541.3 | Origin of Hallowe'en. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1311 | Origin of hands and feet. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1461.2.1 | Origin of harp. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1388 | Origin of hatred. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2311.4 | Origin of hedgehog's skin. (See A2210, A2220.1.)—Dh III 7.—Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3127, Legends No. 228. |
| A2662 | Origin of hellebore. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 259*. |
| A2684.2 | Origin of hemp. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A925.1 | Origin of high sea waves. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 13/441). |
| A962.8 | Origin of hills and ridges: pieces of shattered god's head. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2813 | Origin of honey. Chauvin VII 59 No. 77 n. 1.; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Icel.: Boberg. |
| A2321.2 | Origin of hoopoe's crest. Dh III 18. |
| A2145.0.1 | Origin of horned serpent. N. Am. Indian (Creek): Swanton BBAE LXXXVIII 32f. |
| A1535.6 | Origin of horse-racing. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1459.1.5 | Origin of horse-whips. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A942 | Origin of hot springs (geysers). Jewish: Neuman. |
| F482.6 | Origin of household spirits. England: *Baughman. |
| A1545.5 | Origin of human sacrifice. India: *Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 370. |
| A1312 | Origin of human skeleton. |
| A1481 | Origin of human wisdom. It is kept hidden by monster and is later stolen. It escapes and spreads through the world. (Cf. A1111, A1421.)—Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 33 No. 2. |
| A1345 | Origin of hunger. Greek: Grote I 7; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Liberian: Bundy JAFL XXXII 421f.; Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 216, 221. |
| A1520 | Origin of hunting and fishing customs. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1458 | Origin of hunting. India: Thompson-Balys; New Hebrides: Codrington 368; S. Am. Indian (Yagua): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 736, (Toba): Métraux ibid. (1) 368, MAFLS XL 3. 84. |
| A775 | Origin of Hyades. Greek: Fox 46, 248ff., Frazer Apollodorus I 321 n. 5; African: Werner African 229; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 365, MAFLS XL 21. |
| A1464.2 | Origin of hymn. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1337.8 | Origin of illness from fire and cold. Africa (Togo): Einstein 5f. |
| A1618 | Origin of inequalities among men. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2002 | Origin of insects from various experiences of saint. Dh I 192f. |
| A2005 | Origin of insects: God throws sand on lazy shepherds. (Cf. A1716.1). —Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 150 No. 70. |
| A2006 | Origin of insects: monstrous births from brother-sister incest. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2003 | Origin of insects: released from sack. God places them in a sack and gives it to hare to carry to stream. He must not look in the sack. When he does so the insects escape. The hare laughs and this is the cause of his split lip.—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 93 No. 104; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3131, Legends Nos. 232—244. |
| A1616.2 | Origin of Irish language. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1432.1 | Origin of iron. Finnish: Kalevale rune 9; India: Thompson-Balys; Jewish: Neuman; Africa (Bushongo): Torday 235. |
| A955.3.2 | Origin of island's position. Mono-Alu, Farau: Wheeler 70. |
| A955.3 | Origin of island's shape and position. |
| A955 | Origin of islands. |
| A1611.5.2 | Origin of Italians. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1337.5 | Origin of itch. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1319.10 | Origin of itching. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1375 | Origin of jealousy and selfishness. Irish myth: Cross; Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 112 No. 19. |
| A1546.4 | Origin of Jewish worship. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A782 | Origin of Jupiter (planet). Africa: Werner African 229; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 19. |
| A1556.4 | Origin of jus primae noctis. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1580.1 | Origin of justice. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2686.3.1 | Origin of kava plant. Tonga: Beckwith Myth 101, Gifford 72, 75. |
| A1583 | Origin of kingdom. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2321.5 | Origin of kingfisher's crest. Dh III 19. |
| A1653.1 | Origin of kings (from god(s)). Icel.: Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 241 (Rigsthula), Snorra Edda Prologue. |
| A1312.1 | Origin of knee-caps. A stone that magically joins self to woman's body.—Ekoi: Talbot 394. |
| F456.1.1 | Origin of knockers or spriggins. |
| A2755.4 | Origin of knots in wood. (See A2738.)—Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2658 | Origin of lady-slipper (calceolaria hybrida). Flemish: DeMeyer XXXVII 92 No. 256*. |
| A920.1 | Origin of lakes. Fb "sø" III 731a.—Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 135 (cf. A911), Cross; Indo-Chinese: Scott Indo-Chinese 291 (cf. A901).—Tahltan: *Teit JAFL XXXII, 219f.; Malecite: Speck JAFL XXX 481. |
| A1547.3 | Origin of lamentations for the dead. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1482 | Origin of language. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1399.1 | Origin of laughter. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1589 | Origin of laws—miscellaneous. |
| A1585 | Origin of laws: division of property in a family. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1580 | Origin of laws. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1377 | Origin of laziness. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 238f. |
| A1453.4 | Origin of leaf-dress. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2092.1 | Origin of leaf-scorpion. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2182.2 | Origin of leech. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1337.6 | Origin of leprosy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A114.1.1.2 | Origin of lesser gods from spittle of great god. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 82. |
| A1614.6 | Origin of light and dark skin color. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1412 | Origin of light—miscellaneous. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1412.2 | Origin of light: souls of dead in heaven. Eskimo (Cape York): Rasmussen III 48. |
| A1141.8 | Origin of lightning—other motifs. S. Am. Indian (Toba, Mataco, Chamacoco): Métraux MAFLS XL 27f., (Huamachuco): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 151. |
| A1141 | Origin of lightning. Jewish: Neuman.—Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 113; Liberia: Bundy JAFL XXXII 422f.; Nootka: Sapir JAFL XXXII 354; Eskimo (Cape York): Rasmussen III 61, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 175, (Central Eskimo): Boas RBAE VI 600. |
| A1464 | Origin of literary arts. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2171.3 | Origin of lobster. Tahiti: Henry 339. |
| A2062 | Origin of locust. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 90 No. 125b.—Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 76. |
| A1554 | Origin of love-songs. China: Eberhard FFC CXX 118. |
| A1614.1.1 | Origin of luchrupain (leprechauns, dwarfs, pygmies) from curses of Ham. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1547.2 | Origin of lute-playing at funerals. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1343 | Origin of lying. Greek: Grote I 7; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 113, 911; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1461.2 | Origin of lyre. Hermes makes it from a tortoise.—Greek: Fox 192, Frazer Apollodorus II 9 n. 2.—Finnish: Kalevala rune 40 (from bones of a pike); cf. rune 44. |
| A778.0.1 | Origin of Magellanic Clouds. Tonga: Gifford 105, 109; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 21f., 47, (Chiriguano): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 483. |
| D953.1 | Origin of magic twig. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2313.2 | Origin of magpie's feathers. Exchanges with dove. See A2247. |
| A2685.1.1 | Origin of maize. India: Thompson-Balys; S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 172, (Tembé): Métraux ibid. 140, (Kaigua, Apapocuva-Guarani): Métraux ibid. 136, (Tenetehara): Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 148. |
| A1313.1 | Origin of male sex-organs. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 6 No. 21, XXXIII 52 No. 21; India: Thompson-Balys; Jewish: Neuman.—Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 141 No. 14; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3040, Balys Legends Nos. 50-57; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 83f. Nos. 28-30; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 84 No. 21.—Plains Ojibwa: Skinner JAFL XXXII 283; Plains Cree: Skinner JAFL XXIX 351. |
| A1319.14 | Origin of man's skin. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2664 | Origin of mandrake. (See A2611.5.) |
| A2685.5 | Origin of manioc. S. Am. Indian (Paressi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 360, (Mataco): Métraux MAFLS XL 128. |
| A2093 | Origin of mantis. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2330.4 | Origin of marks on tiger's face. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1555 | Origin of marriage. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 7 No. 26, XXXIII 52 No. 26; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 84 No. 26; Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| A1465.6 | Origin of masks. Africa (Bushongo): Torday 250; (Bakuba): Einstein 163f. |
| A1487.2 | Origin of medical books. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| A1562 | Origin of medical treatment during pregnancy. |
| A1438 | Origin of medicine (healing). Greek: Fox 279ff.; Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 70f.; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 202, 205f.; Jewish: Neuman; Chinese: Ferguson 14; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 116f., 119; N. A. Indian (Joshua): Frachtenberg JAFL XXVIII 230; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 3, 69; (Manasi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 393. |
| A1438.1 | Origin of medicine: shaman sent down by the Creator equipped with it. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2687.2 | Origin of melons. S. Am. Indian (Mataco): MAFLS XL 128. |
| A1355.1 | Origin of menstruation—Eve and the serpent. It is a punishment because Eve had intercourse with the serpent.—Dh I 211; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1355.2 | Origin of menstruation—Virgin Mary's garment. She hides her garment and a maiden finds it.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 6 No. 24; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1355.1.1 | Origin of menstruation: punishment because Eve ate forbidden fruit. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1355 | Origin of menstruation. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 6 No. 25, XXXIII 53 No. 25; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A1370 | Origin of mental and moral characteristics. |
| A1465.3.3 | Origin of metal ornaments. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1447 | Origin of metal-working. Hebrew: Genesis 4:22; Greek: Fox 171; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A788 | Origin of meteors. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 24, (Viracocha): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 551. |
| A1442 | Origin of milling. (Cf. A1446.5.3.) Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A978.1 | Origin of minerals from body of dead culture hero. Persian: Carnoy 294. |
| A978 | Origin of minerals. |
| A1448 | Origin of mining. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2170 | Origin of miscellaneous animal forms. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1134 | Origin of mist (fog). India: Thompson-Balys; Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 176. |
| A1129.2 | Origin of monsoon: from chewed skin and spit of pair of divine friends eating guavas. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A743.1 | Origin of moon from shell. Nauru (Pleasant Is.), Micronesia: Dixon 250. |
| A781.1 | Origin of Morning Star. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 466; Chinese: Graham.—Maori: Clark 50; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 23, (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| A2034 | Origin of mosquitoes. India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda; Hatt Asiatic Influences 89f.; Eskimo (Ungava): Turner RBAE XI 264; S. Am. Indian (Tucuna): Nimuendajú BBAE CXLIII (3) 294; N. Am. Indian (Kaska): Teit JAFL XXX 445. |
| A2656.1 | Origin of mossrose. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 254* |
| A967 | Origin of mounds. Tonga: Gifford 121. |
| A965 | Origin of mountain chain. |
| A969.7 | Origin of mountains as punishment. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A925.5 | Origin of mournful sound of sea. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 21. |
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