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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 ▲ |
|---|---|
| A714 | Sun from object thrown into sky. Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 54; Pelew Is. (Micronesia): Dixon 253; Cook Group: ibid. 37; Admiralty Is., Woodlark Is.: ibid. 112; Australian: ibid. 275. |
| A718 | Sun from transformation. |
| A718.4 | Sun from transformed maggots. Maori: Beckwith Myth 101. |
| A769.5 | Sun gives light to stars. S. Am. Indian (Viracocha): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 550. |
| T111.2.3 | Sun has a woman for his wife. S. A. Indian (Warrau): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 145. |
| A739.9 | Sun has weapons of iron to repel enemies. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 19. |
| A722.6 | Sun hidden at night because afraid to wander. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A737.8.1 | Sun hides face in shame: eclipse. Africa: Meinhof 207. |
| A734.1 | Sun hides in cave. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A734 | Sun hides. |
| A681 | Sun in the underworld. S. Am. Indian (Viracocha): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 550. |
| A722.13 | Sun is man during day. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 33. |
| A721.0.3 | Sun kept in a case. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A721 | Sun kept in box. Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 421. |
| A722.5.2 | Sun led through stream to cool off heat at night; otherwise might consume earth. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A736.7.1 | Sun marries woman. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 35. |
| A727.1 | Sun originally so hot that it threatens all life. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F961.1.5.2 | Sun reappears after being set. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| F961.1.1 | Sun refuses to shine when murder is done. *BP II 531 n. 1.—Icelandic: Boberg. |
| F961.1.2.1 | Sun returns to sunrise to help sick man. Irish myth: Cross. |
| E4 | Sun revived by own power after being killed by moon. S. A. Indian (Eastern Brazil): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (1) 434. |
| V222.13 | Sun sends shaft of heat to cook meat given persecuted saint. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A739.6 | Sun sets and refuses to rise: must be coaxed back from underworld. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R236.2 | Sun sets at high noon to hide fugitive. (Cf. F965.) Jewish: *Neuman. |
| F961.1.10 | Sun sets early to hide fugitive. (Cf. R310.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| F960.2.6.1 | Sun shines but two hours the day of hero's funeral. Jewish: Neuman. |
| F961.1.5 | Sun shines during night. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| F961.1.5.1 | Sun shines for twelve days and nights after death of holy person. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| A1052.2 | Sun shining at night as sign of Doomsday. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (M307.1). |
| A721.0.2 | Sun shut up in pit. India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| A736.1.1 | Sun sister and moon brother. Brother visits sister at night. She marks him to identify him. He flees and she follows with flaming brand. She is sun and he the moon.—*Rank Das Inzestmotiv 446ff.; Frazer Ovid III 31.—Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 196; Lappish: Friis Lappisk Mythologi 79; German: Hdwb. d. deutschen Aberglaubens I 642, II 1511; India: Thompson-Balys; Korean: Zong in-Sob 10 No. 3.—Eskimo: *Thompson Tales 273 note 6; S. Am. Indian (Chaco): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 366, (Manasi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 393, (Witoto, Shipaya, Canelo, Warrau, Arawak): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (3) 54; African (Baluga): Einstein 176. |
| A722.8 | Sun sits on back of a male buffalo. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A731.1 | Sun sits on throne. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A721.2 | Sun swallowed and spit out. In theft of sun, the raven (or devil) thus succeeds.—Dh III 113ff. |
| A1068 | Sun thrown on fire: period of darkness, rain. Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 83. |
| F961.1.2 | Sun travels from west to east. Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 164 n. 1; Jewish: Gaster Exempla 185 No. 2b, 201 No. 78, *Neuman. |
| F961.1.7 | Sun turned from one hour to another through the prayer of saint (Moses). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| A728.3 | Sun visits earth in form of black bull, caught by man, thus causing night. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F961.1.4 | Sun warns man of approaching assassin. Africa (Fang): Trilles 94. |
| A1066 | Sun will lock moon in deep ditch in earth's bottom and will eat up stars at end of world. Africa (Fang): Einstein 36. |
| A722.11 | Sun worships God by night. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A736.1.2 | Sun-brother and moon-sister. Icel.: De la Saussaye 344; India: *Thompson-Balys.—N. A. Indian (Montagnais and Menominee): Alexander N. Am. 25. |
| A221 | Sun-father. *Fb "sol" III 457b.—Pawnee: Alexander N. Am. 81, 87; Zuсi: ibid. 187; S. Am. Indian (Guarani): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 93. |
| A1.1 | Sun-god as creator.—Egyptian: Müller 69; Persian: Carnoy 260. |
| A222 | Sun-god bitten by snake, leaves earth for heaven. Egyptian: Müller 80ff. |
| A220.0.1 | Sun-god commits adultery. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A220.0.2 | Sun-god couples with the moon. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A220 | Sun-god. **Frobenius Das Zeitalter des Sonnengottes (Berlin 1904); Smith Dragon viii; Montelius FL XXI (1909) 60; Krappe "The Anatolian Lion God" JAOS LXV (1945) 144—154; Krappe "Apollon" Studi i Materiali di Storia delle Religioni XIX—XX (1943—1946); *Koch Gestirnverehrung im alten Italien (Frankfurt a. M. 1933).—Greek: Gaster Thespis 127, 205, 339f., Fox 241 (Helios); Egyptian: Müller 24ff., 129 (Amon); Babylonian: Spence 109ff., 187, 189; Irish myth: Cross; Persian, Hindu: Keith 24—29, 232; Armenian: Ananikian, 11, 33, 37, 43; Finno-Ugric: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 223; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 422; Chinese: Ferguson 90; Russian: Máchal 273, 297, 299; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 735.—Navaho: Alexander N. Am. 165; Pima: ibid. 176; (Pawnee and Plains in general): ibid. 81, 87; Huichol: Alexander Lat. Am. 121. |
| A220.1 | Sun-goddess. Gaster Thespis 30f., 127, 205, 339; Japanese: Anesaki 225ff., *Ikeda, Beckwith Myth 102; Irish myth: Cross. |
| A728.1 | Sun-snarer: burnt mantle. A boy is angered because the sun burned his mantle. He makes a snare and catches the sun and delays him so that everything is burning up. A mouse finally gnaws the snare in two.—American Indian: *Thompson Tales 290 n. 65. Cf. Luomala. |
| A728.2 | Sun-snarer: fast sun. The sun goes too fast to dry clothing. The hero snares the sun's legs with a rope as he is climbing up from the underworld. He releases the sun upon the promise to go more slowly.—Polynesian: *Dixon 44ff. n. 26; Society Is., Samoan: ibid. 46; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 10, 227, 230; Marquesas: Handy 103. Cf. Luomala. |
| A153.3.2 | Sun, moon and wind dine with their uncle and aunt, thunder and lightning. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A700.8 | Sun, moon, and darkness as god's three children. African (Kamerun): Mansfield 234. |
| A1271.1 | Sun, moon, and stars bring forth first parents. Sun and moon beget son; morning and evening star beget daughter; these, the first parents, are at first without understanding, but it is awakened later by demigods.—Pawnee: Alexander N. Am. 110. |
| F961.0.3.1 | Sun, moon, and stars do not shine seven days, mourning Adam's death. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A700.5 | Sun, moon, and stars forged by smith. African (Togo): Einstein 14f. |
| A700.7 | Sun, moon, and stars nourished on fire. African (Fang): Einstein 33. |
| A736.7 | Sun's affection for human girl rouses moon's jealousy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A739.7 | Sun's all-seeing eye. Greek: Grote I 313. |
| A738.3 | Sun's healing powers. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A722.1 | Sun's night journey in golden goblet. Helios' chariot is conveyed eastward at night in a golden goblet (or bed).—Greek: Fox 243. Cf. A724. |
| A722.2 | Sun's night journey with reversed face. It returns from west to east by the same way that it came, but it turns its light side to the sky and leaves the earth in darkness.—Hindu: Keith 16. |
| A722.3 | Sun's night journey: in land of dead. Gaster Thespis 195; Egyptian: Müller 27, 84; Armenian: Ananikian 50; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A722 | Sun's night journey. Around or under the earth.—Armenian: Ananikian 50; S. Am. Indian (Munderucú): Horton BBAE CXLIII (3) 281. |
| A738.4 | Sun's power over plants. Jewish: Neuman. |
| F1011 | Sunbeam as support. |
| J1943.1 | Sundial covered in order to protect it. Christensen DF XLVII no. 46. |
| A2795 | Sundry characteristics of flowers. |
| A2793 | Sundry characteristics of grains and vegetables. |
| A2792 | Sundry characteristics of shrubs. |
| A2791 | Sundry characteristics of trees. |
| A2794 | Sundry characteristics of vegetables. |
| F499 | Sundry other spirits. |
| F993.1 | Sunken bell sounds at certain times. England, Wales: *Baughman. |
| F993 | Sunken bell sounds. *Sartori Zs. f. Vksk. VII 113, 270, VIII 29; England: Baughman; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 72 No. 610; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3610. |
| V115.1.1 | Sunken bell travels on sea bottom. Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 72 No. 609. |
| V115.1.3 | Sunken church bell cannot be raised. Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 73 Nos. 612—22. |
| D2136.2.2 | Sunken palace magically raised. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 30. |
| J2123 | Sunlight carried into windowless house in baskets. When this plan does not succeed, they gradually pull down the house to get light. Type 1245; *Fb "lys" II 483b; Clouston Noodles 58, 64; Christensen DF XLVII 215 No. 74, ibid. DF L 49. |
| F383.4.3 | Sunlight fatal to fairies. Maori: Clark 98. |
| F531.6.12.2 | Sunlight turns giant or troll to stone. Broderius § 7; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 277, 282, 285, Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 154, Arnason Legends of Iceland (London, 1864) I 124, Boberg. |
| F961.1.5.3.1 | Sunset delayed many hours. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| H1130 | Superhuman tasks. |
| Q143 | Superior rebirth as reward. India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 155, 167, 427, 1157, II 604, 671, 775, 904. |
| P552.2 | Superior troops distributed throughout army to prevent their soldierly qualities from being too obvious. Irish myth: Cross. |
| N3 | Supernatural adversary in gambling (witch or giant). Norse: Boberg. |
| D2192.1 | Supernatural agency moves new church foundation (or building materials) to another site, at night. England, Scotland: *Baughman. |
| F575.2.2 | Supernatural beauty of Jerusalem's inhabitants. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| F575.2.1 | Supernatural beauty of men in Messianic era. (Cf. A1095.) Jewish: *Neuman. |
| C905 | Supernatural being punishes breach of tabu. |
| B524.4 | Supernatural bird prevents mother from killing babe. Irish myth: Cross. |
| T540.1 | Supernatural birth of saints. *Toldo I 320 n. 2; Loomis White Magic 20; India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| H1233.4 | Supernatural creature as helper on quest. |
| D631.4 | Supernatural creatures change size at will. |
| H540.1 | Supernatural creatures propound riddles. (See also H541.1.1, H543, G681.) Child I 13ff., 484, II 495; Icelandic: *Boberg; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| N811 | Supernatural godfather. A king chooses as the godfather of his son the first man he meets. The godfather proves to be supernatural. *Type 652; *BP I 377ff., II 121ff., III 18. |
| T615 | Supernatural growth. (Cf. T585.) *Köhler-Bolte I 405, 544; *Child V 482 s.v. "growth"; Fb "pattebarn" II 792; Gaster Oldest Stories 130.—Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 26, *Cross; Welsh: MacCulloch Celtic 95; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 21, 74; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "croissance"; Greek: *Frazer Apollodorus I 175 n. 2, Fox 175; Persian: Carnoy 332; Babylonian: Spence 54; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Ferguson 30, Werner 306, *Coyajee JPASB XXIV 179; Japanese: Mitford 189ff., Ikeda; Philippine: Dixon 234, (Tinguian): Cole 30 n. 3, 53, 102; Eskimo (Greenland): Holm 47, Rasmussen I 234, 238, III 153; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 307 n. 112, (California): Gayton and Newman 69; S. A. Indian (Carajá): Métraux MAFLS XL 49, (Toba): ibid. 89, 98, 157, (Tupinamba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 132, (Cashinawa): ibid. 684, (Yurakare): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 144, (Karib): ibid. 147, (Uru-Chipaya): ibid. 109; Africa: Werner African 221, (Benga): Nassau 185 No. 24, (Basuto): Jacottet 118 No. 17, 70 No. 11, (Ekoi): Talbot 33, 127, 312, (Zulu): Callaway 8ff., 73, 110, (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 147 No. 29, (Boloki): Einstein 112, (Baluba): ibid. 183, (Fang): ibid. 57. |
| N810.4 | Supernatural helper comes from sky. Korean: Zong in-Sob 65 No. 35. |
| N819 | Supernatural helpers—miscellaneous. |
| N810 | Supernatural helpers. Irish myth: *Cross; Missouri French: Carrière; Spanish: Espinosa II Nos. 111f., Espinosa Jr. Nos. 117, 138, 140, 149, 202—204; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| F2.1 | Supernatural husband takes mortal wife with him to heaven. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B162.1 | Supernatural knowledge from eating magic fish. (Cf. B175.)—*Nutt FLR IV 1ff.—Irish myth: Cross; Icel.: *Boberg; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| F377 | Supernatural lapse of time in fairyland. Years seem days. *Hartland Science 161—195; Jacobs's list s.v. "Time flies"; *Child I 321 n.; *Burnham PMLA XXIII 394 n. 2; Fb "glemme" IV 181a.—Irish myth: *Cross; England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales: Baughman; Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 585; India: *Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Anesaki 265, Ikeda; Koryak: Jochelson JE VI 280; Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 157, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 185, (Smith Sound): Kroeber JAFL XII 177. |
| F377.1 | Supernatural lapse of time in paradise. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| T91.3.1 | Supernatural lover performs girl's work. Jamaica: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 267 No. 78. |
| Q147 | Supernatural manifestations at death of pious person. Irish: Cross, Beal XXI 317, O'Suilleabhain 46; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 1 Nos. 1—3; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. No. 186. |
| Q550.1 | Supernatural manifestations at death of wicked person. Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 1 Nos. 7, 8, 9. |
| N819.4 | Supernatural medicine-man as helper. S. A. Indian (Tupenamba): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 168. |
| Z216 | Supernatural origin of hero: magic conception. (Cf. T510.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D2146.1.1.2 | Supernatural person (adulterer) causes sun to stand still for nine months. (Cf. T481.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| F345.2 | Supernatural person (poet) reveals marital infidelity. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| N810.5 | Supernatural person disguised as servant as helper. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| K2035 | Supernatural personages seen in dreams advise opposing kings how each can overcome the other. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| K3.2.1 | Supernatural substitute in tournament for pious warrior. Tupper and Ogle Walter Map 36. |
| N278 | Supernatural voice points out criminal. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 352; *Wesselski Mönchslatein 182 No. 140. |
| R227.3 | Supernatural wife finds garment stolen from her by husband and leaves him. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| T111.0.2 | Supernatural wife summoned by bell. Italian: Basile Pentamerone I No. 2. |
| M272 | Supernatural woman promises to return if she gives birth to a boy. Chinese: Graham. |
| V222.1.0.1 | Supernaturally bright light marks sleeping infant saint. Irish myth: Cross. |
| T554.11 | Supernaturally impregnated woman gives birth to dragon. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 102 No. 60. |
| K839.6 | Supernaturals tricked into (fatal) exposure to daylight. Marquesas: Beckwith Myth 257. |
| K455.2 | Supper won by disguising as an invited guest. Jamaica: *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 234. |
| K455.1 | Supper won by trick: the mutual friend. A parasite makes the host believe him to be a friend of a certain guest and the guest to think him a friend of the host. *Chauvin VI 132 No. 285. |
| 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. |
| V224.5 | Supply of lime for building church miraculously renewed for saint. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q65.1 | Supplying food to ungrateful stepmother rewarded. (Cf. Q151.2.) Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 129 No. 23. |
| A849 | Support of the earth—miscellaneous. |
| A840 | Support of the earth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A665 | Support of the sky. |
| P236.2 | Supposed chest of gold induces children to care for aged father. They think that the chest of stones contains the inheritance. *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 435; Scala Celi 98b No. 528; Dunlop-Wilson II 185f.; von der Hagen II lviii No. 49; Hdwb. d. Abergl. IV 1290. —Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 2452*; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 116 No. 980A; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; Palestine: Schmidt-Kahle Volkserzählungen aus Palästina II No. 123; India: *Thompson-Balys; Indonesia: Jeynball Catalogus Maleische en Sundaneesche Hss. 173, ibid. Supplement Catalogus Javaansche en Madoereesche Hss. 22. |
| J2311.5.1 | Supposed dead man on bier threatens his bearers. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2311.12 | Supposed dead man roused with whip. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| M300.4 | Suppression of prophecy. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A101.1 | Supreme god as creator. (cf. A0). Lowie Primitive Religion 85; Goldenweiser Early Civilization 97; Oldenberg Die Religion des Veda 278.—Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 326; Armenian: Ananikian 20; India: Thompson-Balys; Tarascan: Alexander Lat. Am. 85. |
| A101 | Supreme god. One god chief of all other gods. (Often not worshipped as other gods are.)—Durkheim 274, 409ff.; Leroy La raison primitive 125ff.; Holmberg Gudstron 61ff.; C. Koch Der römische Juppiter.—Semitic: Smith Semites@3 529; Jewish: Neuman; Greek: Fox 153, *Grote I 57f.; Assyrian: Spence 206ff.; Babylonian: ibid. 199ff.; Hindu: Keith 21f.; India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 148, 309; Siberian: Karjalainen FFC XLIV 259, 268ff.; Armenian: Ananikian 11, 14, 37; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 61; Chinese: Ferguson 50, Eberhard FFC CXX 115 No. 70.—Indonesian: Kruyt Archipel 465ff.; Maori: Clark 32; Tahiti: Henry 121, 128; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 45.—African: Frobenius Atlantis X 82, Werner African 123ff.; N. A. Indian: Alexander N. Am. 80, 82, 187, 284 n. 28; So. Am. Indian (Guarani): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 93; Africa (Fang): Trilles 130, (Luba): Donohugh V 180. |
| R4 | Surprise capture. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| J2613 | Surrender to the rake. Fool steps on a rake and falls down crying, "I surrender!" *BP II 555. |
| R75 | Surrendering. |
| K401.2.3 | Surreptitious transfer of stolen object to innocent person's possession brings condemnation. India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 349, 892. |
| P312.3 | Surviving blood brother to watch three nights in grave-mound. Icelandic: Egils saga ok Asm., Lagerholm 28 (cf. introd. xxiv—xxix). |
| A1029.6 | Survivors of flood establish homes. S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 170f. |
| J1153.1 | Susanna and the elders: separate examination of witnesses. Testimony as to exact circumstances of her deed does not agree. Witnesses discredited. **W. Baumgartner Susanna, die Geschichte einer Legende (Archiv f. Religionswiss. XXIV 259—80); *Chauvin VI 193 No. 362; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas I 361f., Neuman. |
| Q243.0.2 | Suspected incontinence unjustly punished. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| P16.4.1 | Suttee. Wife burned with dead king. *Penzer IV 255 ff., 264; **Zachariae Zs. f. Vksk. XIV 198ff., 302ff., 395ff., XV 74ff.; Chauvin VII 20; Mansikka FFC XLIII 330ff.; Hert Die Indogermanen II 440, 490ff.; Grimm Deutsche Rechtsalterthümer I 622; Hoops' Reallexikon IV 556ff.; Schreuer Zs. f. Vgl. Rechtswissenschaft XXXIV 19ff. —Icelandic: *Boberg; Slavic: Máchal 233; India: *Thompson-Balys; Melanesia: Codrington 288ff.; Africa: Frobenius Atlantis VII 106, 227. |
| J622.1.1 | Swallow advises hen against hatching out serpent's eggs. She is hatching her own destruction. Wienert FFC LVI 63 (ET 255), 147 (ST 516); Halm Aesop No. 342. |
| B291.1.11 | Swallow as messenger. Chinese: Eberhard 58. |
| U27 | Swallow killed in court house by snake laments injustice in house of justice. Wienert FFC LVI 50 (ET 100), 140 (ST 464); Halm No. 418. |
| A2214.1 | Swallow thrown on his tail: cause of split tail. (Cf. A2378.5.1.)—Dh II 126, III 419.—Aarne FFC VII 16 No. 85; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 87 No. 85. |
| A2431.3.5 | Swallow's nest. (See A2221.2.4.)—Dh III 5, 200, 415ff.; Sébillot RTP III 156; Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 16 No. 87. |
| B784.1.5 | Swallowed blackbeetle reproduces inside person's body. England: Baughman. |
| F921 | Swallowed person becomes bald. Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: Neuman; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 132, 437; Tuamotu: ibid. 503; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 322 n. 159b. |
| F921.1 | Swallowed person becomes boneless. S. A. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 686. |
| F922 | Swallowed person bereft of clothing. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| F912.3 | Swallowed person eats on swallower's liver (heart) until disgorged. (Cf. F914, F915.1.) India: Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 140. |
| X1723.1 | Swallowed person is discovered in animal's stomach still alive. U.S.: *Baughman. |
| F912.3.1 | Swallowed person tickles serpent's throat and is disgorged. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2221.2.4 | Swallows lift Christ's crown of thorns from his brow: why their nests are not destroyed. (Cf. A2431.3.5.)—Fb "svale" III 660b; Sébillot RTP III 156. |
| A2221.2.4.1 | Swallows put on mourning at crucifixion: have never taken it off. Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 37 No. *243. |
| A2231.2.2 | Swallows torment Christ on cross: lose voice. (Cf. A2422.9.)—Fb "svale" III 660b. |
| J652.2 | Swallows warn other birds against roosting in tree with glue. They disregard and are caught. Wienert FFC LVI 62 (ET 249), 118 (ST 277); Halm Aesop No. 417; Dh IV 274ff. |
| F494.1.1 | Swamp spirit guards buried treasure. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H411.17 | Swan as chastity test. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| B242.1.9 | Swan as king of birds. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 8. |
| B582.2.3 | Swan as matchmaker. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B143.0.1 | Swan as prophetic bird. Fb "Svane" III 663; Handwb. d. Abergl. VII 1403.—Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 262. |
| 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. |
| N572.2 | Swan maidens as guardians of treasure. *Norlind 71f. |
| B752.1 | Swan song. Swan sings as she dies.—Fb "svane" III 663b. |
| V331.9 | Swans (transformed children) do not suffer in harsh weather after conversion to Christianity. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| B558.2 | Swans harnessed to chariot. Chauvin V 230 No. 130.—Greek: Sappho "Ode to Aphrodite" (Team of sparrows).—Hindu: Keith 108, Penzer VIII 151f. |
| B768.3 | Swans live on pearls. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F989.16.2 | Swarms of birds darken sun and moon. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| F989.16.1 | Swarms of quails serve as food for Israelites. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A137.3.1.1 | Swastika (hooked cross). Irish myth: Cross. |
| M119.6 | Swearing by "the Seven Things which they serve." Irish myth: *Cross. |
| M119.2 | Swearing by (clan) gods. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| M119.8.2 | Swearing by life of father. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| M119.8.1 | Swearing by one's father and mother. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| M116.1 | Swearing by saint's bachall. Irish myth: Cross. |
| M116.2 | Swearing by saint's bell. Irish myth: Cross. |
| M119.1 | Swearing by the elements: sun, moon, stars, wind. Irish myth: *Cross; Greek: Argonautica III 689, Odyssey V 185. |
| M118 | Swearing on a skull. Irish myth: Cross. |
| M119.5 | Swearing on a stone. (Cf. M114.2.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| M116.0.1 | Swearing on hand of king. Irish myth: Cross. |
| M114.4 | Swearing on sacred relics. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| M110.1 | Swearing while one knows that his oath is rendered valueless. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1500.1.36 | Sweat used in medicine. Irish myth: Cross. |
| J1822 | Sweeping with a stick instead of a broom. Köhler-Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. VI 63 (to Gonzenbach No. 13). |
| F162.1.2.1 | Sweet and bitter fountain in otherworld garden. Patch PMLA XXXIII 620 n. 65, Other World 266; Irish myth: *Cross. |
| F962.7.1 | Sweet dew. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| A661.0.8 | Sweet odor in heaven. Irish myth: Cross. |
| C941.2 | Swelling of limbs from breaking tabu. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2212.5 | Swift when only a calf. A numskull who rides an ox to a tournament is ridiculed. He says, "He is swifter than a horse. You should have seen him run when he was only a calf." Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 228 No. 73. |
| A671.2.4.12 | Swift, flaming winds in hell. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B184.1.1.3 | Swiftest horse on earth. Irish myth: Cross. |
| J1821 | Swimming (fishing) in the flax-field. Peasants go to visit the sea. They see a waving flax-field, and, thinking it is the sea, jump in to swim. *Type 1290; *BP III 205; Köhler-Bolte I 112; Christensen DF XLVII 195 no. 20; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "lin", "pêche"; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q491.1.1 | Swindler buried on dungheap. (Cf. Q274.) Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 143 No. 1720. |
| E411.5 | Swindler cannot rest in grave. Fb "gjenganger" I 443b; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 47 No. 326A*; England: *Baughman. |
| Q274 | Swindler punished. (Cf. Q414.0.6.1, Q456.0.2, Q491.1.1, Q557.3.) |
| J1521 | Swindler's plans foiled. |
| K1675 | Swindlers allowed to hide money: proves to be basket of stones. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D733.2 | Swine bridegroom. Bride disenchants him by her love. He returns to original form. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| F989.7 | Swine kick trees to cause fruit to fall. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B783 | Swine maddened by smell of oak forest. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D2089.3.1 | Swine magically kept from fattening. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B290.1 | Swine march like soldiers. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| D1449.3 | Swine summoned out of magic harp. (Cf. D1231.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| V1.8.4 | Swine worship. Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 109, *Boberg. |
| A132.7 | Swine-god. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| L113.1.1 | Swineherd as hero. (Cf. P412.2.) Hdwb. d. Märchens I 186b n. 109; Irish myth: *Cross: |
| F111.0.2 | Swineherd finds terrestrial paradise while looking for lost sow. England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| R131.3.4 | Swineherd rescues abandoned child. Irish myth: *Cross; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| P412.2 | Swineherd. (Cf. L113.1.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| G327 | Swinging ogre. Girls who swing their lovers over pit, cut rope, and later devour them. Montaignais: Speck JAFL XXXVIII 15. |
| T24.2.2 | Swooning for fright that lover shall be killed. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| T24.2 | Swooning for love. *Type 516; *Rösch FFC LXXVII 98; India: *Thompson-Balys; Hindu: Penzer II 10 n.; Chinese: Graham. |
| W121.8.1 | Swooning from cowardice. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F1041.21.7 | Swooning from grief. Icelandic: *Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q552.13.0.2 | Sword (of fire) from heaven drawn upon sinners. Jewish: Neuman. |
| T135.3.1 | Sword and shield as proxy at wedding ceremony. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H435.1 | Sword as chastity index: will not spot while woman is faithful. (Cf. D1081.) English: Child I 268. |
| F833.3.1 | Sword as mirror. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q114.3 | Sword as reward. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| F152.1.6 | Sword bridge to otherworld. Hibbard Romanic Review IX (1913) 166; Patch PMLA XXXIII 635ff., Other World 374 s.v. "bridge"; Irish myth: *Cross; Welsh: MacCulloch Celtic 197. |
| 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. |
| F833.5.1 | Sword cuts cloth etc. as well as steel and stone. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| F833.5 | Sword cuts everything. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| F833.3 | Sword extraordinarily bright, sharp. Herrmann Saxo 306 n. 2; Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| N511.1.0.2 | Sword hidden by old man. Herrmann Saxo II 306. |
| N513.2 | Sword hidden under water. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| F997.1 | Sword is spoken to as to human being. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| 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. |
| T645.1 | Sword left for posthumous son to kill father's murderer. Krappe Balor 35; Marie de France "Yonec". |
| D2072.0.1 | Sword made magically helpless. Fb "sværd" III 690a; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: Neuman. |
| H215.1 | Sword magically changed to wood when executioner is to decapitate innocent person. Chauvin V 173 No. 96 n. 1. |
| 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. |
| T351 | Sword of chastity. A two-edged sword is laid between the couple sleeping together. *Type 303; *BP I 554, IV 202; *Cox Cinderella 488 n. 21; *Huet Romania XXXVI 50; *Chauvin V 62 No. 19 n. 2, VIII 194 No. 235 n. 1; *Fb "sværd" III 690a; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 104a; Gaster Exempla 242 No. 330; *Hibbard 69 n. 8; Tardel Untersuchungen zur mittelhochdeutschen Spielmannspoesie (Schwerin, 1894) 22 n. 2; Thien 24; Gunter Die christliche Legende des Abendlandes 21; *Schoepperle II 430ff.; Köhler-Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. VI 76 (to Gonzenbach No. 40); Child V 497 s.v. "sword". Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Italian: Basile Pentamerone I No. 9, *Rotunda; Jewish: *Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F833.2 | Sword of Damocles. Sword hung on thin thread immediately above person. *BP I 366; *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 735a; Olrik Sakses Oldhistorie II (1894) 256; Icelandic: Boberg. |
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