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.
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 ▲ |
|---|---|
| D1302 | Magic object teaches magic. |
| D1310.4 | Magic object tells how another fares. |
| D1612.4 | Magic object tells where it is hidden. MacCulloch Childhood 195f. |
| D1526 | Magic object thrown ahead carries owner with it. |
| D859.5 | Magic object to be chosen from among identical worthless objects. Insect helps in choice. East Africa: Torrend Zs. f. afrikan. u. ozean. Spr. I 247ff. |
| D805 | Magic object to be used only in extreme need. Italian: Basile introduction. |
| D871 | Magic object traded away. |
| D1500.3 | Magic object transfers disease to another person or thing. Kristensen Danske Sagn VI (1891) 345ff., (1936) 299ff., Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1311 | Magic object used for divination. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1594 | Magic object vitalizes. (Cf. D445.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D878 | Magic object voluntarily restored to giver. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D826.1 | Magic object vomited by conquered monster. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1500.2 | Magic object wards off disease. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1317 | Magic object warns of danger. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1322 | Magic object warns of death. |
| D1602.17 | Magic object when sold always returns to original owner. (Cf. D1605, D1602.11.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1662 | Magic object works by being stroked. |
| D1663 | Magic object works in contrary fashions. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1330 | Magic object works physical change. |
| D800 | Magic object. *Toldo Studien zur vgl. Littgsch. VIII 60ff.; *Siuts 89ff.; *Penzer I 25ff., V 3 n 1, IX 142; *Tibbals "Elements of Magic in the Romance of William of Palerne" MPh I (1903) 355 ff.; *Easter A Study of Magic Elements in the Romans d'Aventure (Dissertation, Baltimore 1906). |
| D832 | Magic objects acquired by acting as umpire for fighting heirs. When hero gets hold of objects he refuses to return it.—*Types 400, 518; *BP II 331ff.; Cosquin Indiens 371ff.; Saintyves Perrault 287ff.; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 97.—Icelandic: Boberg; India: *Thompson-Balys; Indonesian: DeVries Volksverhalen No. 104; Chinese: Chavannes 500 Contes III 259 No. 470; Africa: Frobenius Atlantis II 113, 175, III 336, IV 110. |
| D672.1 | Magic objects as decoy for pursuer. Date palms are dropped which are transformed into animals which the pursuer stops to pick up. S. A. Indian (Ceiuci): Alexander Lat. Am. 304. |
| D1606 | Magic objects automatically keep out of reach. Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 264, (Central Eskimo): Boas RBAE VI 622, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 183. |
| D1612.1 | Magic objects betray fugitive. Give alarm when fugitive escapes. Wesselski Theorie 34; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 331 n. 196b. |
| D803 | Magic objects created by deity. |
| D803.1 | Magic objects created by God on sixth day. (Cf. A0). Jewish: Neuman. |
| D812.13 | Magic objects gifts of magician. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1426.0.1 | Magic objects help hero win princess. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F166.4 | Magic objects in otherworld. Siuts 89ff. |
| D801.1 | Magic objects possessed by witch, sorcerer or evil dwarf. (Cf. F451.7, G234, D1711.) German: Grimm Nos. 53, 56, 60, 191. |
| F384 | Magic objects powerful against fairies. England: Baughman; Irish: Beal XXI 324. |
| D814 | Magic objects received from sun, moon, and stars, etc. Köhler-Bolte I 188. |
| D861.8.1 | Magic objects stolen from owner by his daughter, with whom he spends the night. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1266.1.1 | Magic ogam writing. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1382.4 | Magic oil prevents burning. (Cf. D1244.) Malone PMLA XLIII 406. |
| D925.0.1 | Magic oil-spouting fountain. Italian: Basile introduction. |
| D1242.4 | Magic oil. India: Thompson-Balys; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| D1375.3.1 | Magic ointment causes wings to grow on person. (Cf. D1244.) Chauvin V 41 No. 388; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1512.1 | Magic ointment cures ulcers. (Cf. D1244.) Chinese: Werner 276, 281f. |
| D1346.8 | Magic ointment gives immortality. Burning at night and anointment with magic ointment by day. (Cf. D1244.)—Greek: Roscher Lexikon s.v. "Achilleus". |
| D1341.3 | Magic ointment makes person old. (Cf. D1244.) Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| D1380.21 | Magic ointment protects. (Cf. D1244.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1344.5 | Magic ointment renders invulnerable. (Cf. D1244.)—Greek: Roscher Lexikon I 24 s.v. "Achilleus"; Boberg. |
| D1505.6 | Magic ointment restores sight. (Cf. D1244.) Malone PMLA XLIII 410; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1359.1.1 | Magic olive branch makes woman master in household. (Cf. D954.)—Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 51 No. 340. |
| D950.9 | Magic olive tree. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| D1375.1.1.3 | Magic orange causes horns to grow on person. (Cf. D981.3.) Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "orange", "cornes". |
| D1375.2.1.2 | Magic orange removes horns from person. (Cf. D981.3.) Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "orange". |
| D981.3 | Magic orange. *Type 408.—Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "orange". |
| A511.1.4 | Magic origin of culture hero. |
| D1456 | Magic ornament provides treasure. |
| D1079.3 | Magic ornamental breastplate. (Cf. D1101.3.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1079 | Magic ornaments—miscellaneous. |
| D1070 | Magic ornaments. Tawney I 300, II 150; De Cock Studien 156; Encyc. Rel. Ethics III 392—472.—Jewish: *Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B172.8 | Magic osprey (transformed man) produces lightning. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B184.2.2.1 | Magic ox from unusual sexual union of animals. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B184.2.2 | Magic ox. (Cf. B154.)—Types 510, 511; cf. Wesselski Märchen before Grimm, introd.—French Canadian: Barbeau JAF XXXIX 16.—Icel.: Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman.—Africa (Kaffir): Theal 169, (Basuto): Jacottet 240 No. 35.—Cf. also the giant blue ox of Paul Bunyan (B871.1.1.). |
| B184.2.4 | Magic ox. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1283 | Magic packet. Chinese: Werner 230. |
| D1124.1 | Magic paddle. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1299.5 | Magic pair of spectacles. India: Thompson-Balys. D1300—D1599. |
| D1254.1.1 | Magic pair of sticks. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1472.1.5 | Magic palace supplies food and drink. (Cf. D1132.) Irish: Beal XXI 311; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 56 No. 408*A. |
| D1132 | Magic palace. Irish myth: *Cross; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 56 No. 408*A; English: Wells 145 (Parthenope of Blois); India: Thompson-Balys Tawney I 257. |
| D1154.3.2 | Magic palanquin. |
| D950.19 | Magic palm tree. Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q573.1 | Magic paralysis as punishment for opposition to holy person remitted. Cf. O'Grady Silva Gadelica II 28; Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q551.7.1 | Magic paralysis as punishment for opposition to holy person. (Cf. Q227, Q573.1, Q583.3.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q551.7.3 | Magic paralysis as punishment for quarrelsomeness. (Cf. Q306.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q573.2 | Magic paralysis as punishment for scorning of bishop remitted. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q551.7.2 | Magic paralysis as punishment for theft. (Cf. Q212.) *Loomis White Magic 98; Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q573 | Magic paralysis as punishment remitted. (Cf. Q551.7.) |
| Q551.7 | Magic paralysis as punishment. Loomis White Magic 98f.; Irish myth: Cross; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| D2072.2 | Magic paralysis by curse. Tawney II 467. |
| D2072.1 | Magic paralysis by Evil Eye. (Cf. D2071.) Fb "øje" III 1167b. —Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D2072.3 | Magic paralysis caused by saint. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2091.9 | Magic paralysis drawn down on foe. (Cf. D2072.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2072.0.5.3 | Magic paralysis of tongue of a talkative wife. *Loomis White Magic 126. |
| D2072 | Magic paralysis. Person or thing rendered helpless. (Cf. D1410.) *Type 952; *BP III 453; Chauvin V 16 n. 2; Tawney I 408, 417, 458; *Fb "stjæle" III 575a; Kittredge Witchcraft 201f. nn. 104—110; Alphabet 624; *Loomis White Magic 56f.—Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 242, Boberg; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 300 No. 10; Missouri French: Carrière; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1402.3 | Magic part of animal kills. |
| D1751 | Magic passes from body to body. Jewish: Neuman; India: Tawney I 417. |
| D1031 | Magic pastry (bread, cake, etc.). |
| D1346.6.1 | Magic peach gives immortality. (Cf. D981.2.)—Chinese: Werner 270, Eberhard FFC CXX 210. |
| D1338.3.2 | Magic peach gives immunity from age. (Cf. D981.2.) —Chinese: Werner 270. |
| D1349.1.1 | Magic peach produces immunity from hunger and thirst. (Cf. D981.2.)—Chinese: Werner 270. |
| D1349.2.1 | Magic peach produces immunity from old age. (Cf. D981.1.) —Chinese: Werner 270. |
| D950.3 | Magic peach tree. Chinese: Werner 173. |
| D981.2 | Magic peach. Chinese: Werner 270, Eberhard FFC CXX 210. |
| D1375.1.1.2 | Magic peaches cause horns to grow on person. (Cf. D981.2.) Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "cornes". |
| D1375.1.1.6 | Magic pear causes horns to grow on person. (Cf. D981.6.) *Aarne MSFO XXV 121. |
| D1375.2.1.3 | Magic pear removes horns from person. (Cf. D981.6.) Aarne MSFO XXV 121. |
| D950.5 | Magic pear tree. Fb "pæretræ"; cf. Type 1423; *Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Birne". |
| D981.6 | Magic pear. (Cf. D1375.1.1.6, D1375.2.1.3.) Aarne MSFO XXV 121; Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Birne". |
| D1541.2.2 | Magic pearl draws storm away. (Cf. D1071.) Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 221. |
| D1500.1.9.2 | Magic pearls cure disease. Africa (Dahome): Einstein 31. |
| D1382.1 | Magic pebble prevents burning. (Cf. D931.) Southern Paiute: Lowie JAFL XXXVII 144. |
| D1472.1.2.3 | Magic pebble provides food. (Cf. D930.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1564.1 | Magic pebble splits wood. (Cf. D931.) Southern Paiute: Lowie JAFL XXXVII 143 No. 15. |
| D931.2 | Magic pebble. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1349.1.2 | Magic perfume produces immunity from hunger and thirst. (Cf. D1245.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1245 | Magic perfume. *Chauvin V 10 No. 7, 60 No. 19 n. 1. |
| T175 | Magic perils threaten bridal couple. The perils are various—magic horse, poison, enchanted clothes, etc. *Type 516; **Rösch FFC LXXVII 123ff.; Italian: Basile Pentamerone IV No. 9; India: *Thompson-Balys; Korean: Zong in-Sob 155 No. 68. |
| D2064.0.3 | Magic pestilence. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1541.2.1 | Magic pestle draws storm away. (Cf. D1254.3.) Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 221. |
| D1254.3 | Magic pestle. Chinese: Eberhard 221; Africa (Tim): Frobenius Atlantis XI 224ff. No. 38, (Fang): Einstein 151. |
| F585.2 | Magic phantom army. Created out of puffballs and withered leaves. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1282.1.2 | Magic phylactery. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1379.4 | Magic picture causes people to wet the bed. (Cf. D1379.4.) Chinese: Graham. |
| D1500.2.3 | Magic picture prevents disease. (Cf. D1266.2, D1586.1.) Alphabet No. 471; Chinese: Werner 139. |
| D1266.2 | Magic picture. Hdwb. d. Abergl. I 1282 s.v. "Bild"; Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Bild".—Irish: O'Suilleabhain 33; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Jewish: Neuman; Chinese: Werner 139, Graham, Eberhard FFC CXX 233f. |
| B192.1 | Magic pig burned to prevent resuscitation. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B511.2.1 | Magic pig heals wound its skin touches. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B511.2.2 | Magic pig heals wounds by licking. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B184.3.2.2 | Magic pig turns water into wine for nine days. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B184.3.2 | Magic pig. |
| D1503.2 | Magic pigskin heals wounds. (Cf. D1025.1.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1025.1 | Magic pigskin. Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 40; *Cross. |
| D1531.2 | Magic pill gives power of flying. (Cf. D1243.) Chinese: Werner 185. |
| D1652.1.8 | Magic pill on which one feeds self for years. (Cf. D1243.) *Chauvin VIII 133 No. 126. |
| D1585.1 | Magic pill saves corpse from corruption. (Cf. D1243.) Chinese: Werner 266. |
| D1243 | Magic pill. *Chauvin VIII 133 No. 126; India: Thompson-Balys, Meyer Hindu 193, Penzer II 183 n. 1, III 75f, VII 40 n. 1, 41ff., 222f.; Chinese: Werner 134, 159, 184f., 275ff., Eberhard FFC CXX 162. |
| D1313.16 | Magic pillar of fire indicates direction. (Cf. D1271.)—Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1154.5 | Magic pillow. Papua: Ker 109. |
| D1347.3.1 | Magic pills insure birth of twin sons. (Cf. D1243.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1402.25 | Magic pills kill. (Cf. D1243.) |
| D1402.25.1 | Magic pills reduce snake to ashes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1361.22.1 | Magic pills render invisible. (Cf. D1243.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H411.5 | Magic pin as chastity test. If it floats, woman is chaste. (Cf. D1182.) Chauvin VII 168; RTP XIV 598. |
| D1182 | Magic pin. *Type 400; *Basset 1001 Contes I 143. |
| D1224 | Magic pipe (musical). *Aarne MSFO XXV 117; *Fb "rotte" III 83a, "ønske" III 1178b; *Type 570, 515*; Penzer III 187.—English: Child I 47; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "pipe"; N. A. Indian (Central Algonquin): Skinner JAFL XXVII 98. |
| D1441.1.2 | Magic pipe calls animals together. (Cf. D1224.) *Types 515*, 570; *Fb "rotte"; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1415.2.4 | Magic pipe causes dancing. (Cf. D1224.) Penzer III 187. |
| D1427.1 | Magic pipe compels one to follow. Pied Piper of Hamelin. (Cf. D1224.) *Fb "rotte" III 83a; *Chauvin VIII 155 No. 157; *Wehrhan Die Sage 51; *Dickson Studies in Philology XXIII (1926) 327f.; Zs. f. Vksk. XXIV 78; Solymossy Hongaarsche Sagen (Zutphen, 1929) 32, 375 No. 11; England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| D1426.3 | Magic pipe compels woman to come to man. (Cf. D1224, D1427.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1421.1.12 | Magic pipe summons genie. (Cf. D1224.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1643.4 | Magic pipe travels about. (Cf. D1224.) Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 540. |
| D1526.3 | Magic pistol forces one to run behind the ball. (Cf. D1096.2.) Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "pistolet". |
| D1096.2 | Magic pistol. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "pistolet". |
| D1472.1.13 | Magic pitcher supplies drink. (Cf. D1171.4.) Penzer V 3 n. 1; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1171.4 | Magic pitcher. *Chauvin V 230 No. 130; Penzer V 3 n. 1; Chinese: Graham. |
| D2091.2 | Magic plague of frogs drawn down on foe. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1413.19 | Magic plain to which one sticks. (Cf. D937.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D937 | Magic plain. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1314.7 | Magic plant (flower) shows location of treasure. (Cf. D965, D975.) —*Norlind Skattsägner 19ff.—Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3646. |
| H411.3 | Magic plant as chastity test. (Cf. D965.) Chauvin VII 168; Penzer I 168. |
| D1389.13 | Magic plant banishes fear. (Cf. D965.) Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| D1310.4.2 | Magic plant bears fruit to indicate that heroine is ready to marry. (Cf. D965.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1367.1 | Magic plant causes insanity. (Cf. D965.)—Chauvin VII 19 No. 373D n. 1; Fb "vild" III 1052b. |
| D1375.4.1 | Magic plant causes tail to grow. |
| D1463 | Magic plant furnishes treasure. Africa (Bulu): Krug 120. |
| D1518.4.1 | Magic plant heals broken bone. (Cf. D1500.1.4.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1503.10 | Magic plant heals wounds. (Cf. D965.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1402.1 | Magic plant kills. (Cf. D965.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1501.3 | Magic plant makes childbirth easy. (Cf. D965.) Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 331. |
| D1585.2 | Magic plant saves cut-off limbs from corruption. (Cf. D965.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D974 | Magic plant-sap. Dh II 154. |
| D965 | Magic plant. *BP I 128; Fb "blad" IV 44a, "vild" III 1052b; *Chauvin II 193 No. 12, V 14 No. 9; VI 73f. No. 239.—Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "herbe"; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 312 n. 2, Fox 263; Jewish: Neuman; Babylonian: Spence 158, 160, 178; India: Thompson-Balys, Penzer; Chinese: Werner 299. |
| D1375.4.1.1 | Magic plantain causes four tails to grow. (Cf. D965.11.) —Africa (Ibo, Nigeria): Thomas 126. |
| D965.11 | Magic plantain. Ibo (Nigeria): Thomas 126. |
| D1472.1.20 | Magic plate supplies food. (Cf. D1172.1.) Fb "tønde" III 934b; India: *Thompson-Balys |
| D1172.1 | Magic plate. *Fb "tønde" III 934b. |
| D1157 | Magic platform. *Chauvin V 230 No. 130. |
| D1209.3 | Magic plow. Fb "plov"; Irish myth: Cross. |
| D981.7 | Magic plum. (Cf. D1375.1.1.7.) Aarne MSFO XXV 121. |
| D1375.1.1.7 | Magic plums cause horns to grow on person. (Cf. D981.7.) *Aarne MSFO XXV 121. |
| D1064 | Magic pocket. Chauvin VI 104 No. 270 n. 2. |
| D1402.15.2 | Magic poem (satire) causes death. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1402.15 | Magic poem (satire) causes king to waste away. (Cf. D1275.4.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1402.15.1 | Magic poem (satire) causes man to melt. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1445.4 | Magic poem (satire) kills animals. (Cf. D1275.4.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1563.2.3 | Magic poem (satire) makes land sterile. (Cf. D1275.4.) Irish myth: Cross (D1563.7). |
| D1403.1 | Magic poem (satire) raises blotches on face. (Cf. D1275.4.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1275.4 | Magic poem (satire). |
| D1403.1.1 | Magic poem causes deformity. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1380.14 | Magic poems protect. (Cf. D1275.4.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1083.1 | Magic poignard (dagger). *Basset 1001 Contes I 143; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "poignard". |
| D981.12 | Magic pomegranate. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1500.4.3 | Magic pond causes disease. (Cf. D921.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1503.7.1 | Magic pool of milk heals wounds. Irish myth: Cross. |
| C916.3 | Magic porridge-pot keeps cooking. Against command, mother of owner bids pot to cook. It fills house with porridge and will not stop until ordered by mistress.—*Type 565; BP II 438ff.; *Aarne JSFO XXVII 67, 80; *Christensen Molboerne 177. |
| D1412.2 | Magic pot draws person into it. (Cf. D1171.1.) N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 321 n. 157. |
| D1452.2 | Magic pot furnishes money. (Cf. D1171.1.) Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 151; Ibo (Nigeria): Thomas 119. |
| D1472.1.9 | Magic pot supplies food and drink. (Cf. D1171.1.) *Types 565; BP II 438; *Fb "potte" II 867a.—India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 106; Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 40f. No. 4. |
| D1401.4 | Magic pot with demons who beat owner's enemy. (Cf. D1171.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1171.1 | Magic pot. *Types 565, 591; *Fb "potte" II 866f.; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys, Penzer I 26ff; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 107, 272; Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 220 No. 33, (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 40f. No. 4. |
| T591.1.1 | Magic potion as remedy for impotence. Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 87 n. 3. |
| D1502.4.1 | Magic potion cures leprosy. (Cf. D1242.2.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1503.13 | Magic potion heals wounds. (Cf. D1242.2.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1515.4.6 | Magic potion mixed with brains of deceitful person as cure for snakebite. (Cf. D1242.2.) Africa (Timne): Schlenker Collection of Timne Traditions (London, 1861) 87ff., (Hausa): Tremearne FL XXII 464ff. No. 50. |
| D1242.2 | Magic potion. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Юorsteinssaga Vikingssona (FAS II) 394, Flateyarbуk I 279, *Boberg; English: Wells 80 (Sir Tristrem), 145 (Parthenope of Blois), Child V 305b; Greek: Fox 200 (Phaon), *Grote I 219; Africa (Hottentot): Bleek 55 No. 24. |
| D1555.2 | Magic powder causes earth to open up. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1551.4 | Magic powder causes waters to divide. (Cf. D1246.) Cape Verde Islands: Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 214 No. 73. |
| D1323.13 | Magic powder gives clairvoyance. (Cf. D1246.)—Type 726. |
| D1610.0.1 | Magic powder makes objects speak what owner wants them to. (Cf. D1246.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1246 | Magic powder. Type 726*; Chauvin VI 8 No. 273.—India: Thompson-Balys. Tawney I 378; Chinese: Werner 375; Cape Verde Islands: Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 214 No. 73; Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 142 No. 20. |
| D1721.2 | Magic power acquired by eating fish which have eaten dead magician's flesh. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1736.1 | Magic power acquired by sacrificing. (Cf. D1766.2.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1719.9 | Magic power at certain time. |
| D1786 | Magic power at cross-roads. *Fb "korsvej" II 277f; *Frazer Golden Bough XII 232 s.v. "cross roads"; *Penzer III 37f.; Finnish: Kalevala rune 8. |
| D1719.9.2 | Magic power at Passover. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1791 | Magic power by circumambulation. (Cf. G224.8, D1272.) *Fb "rundt" III 96b; Frazer Golden Bough X 233ff.; *Penzer X 109 s.v. "circumambulation"; Cowell Jataka index s.v. "rightwise"; Cosquin études 356ff.; *Saintyves Essais 196ff.—Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1733.2 | Magic power by crawling through ear of magic horse. (Cf. B181.) Köhler-Bolte I 406. |
| D1733.3.1 | Magic power by fasting. (Cf. G224.16, P623.) Kittredge Witchcraft 128, 450f. nn. 26—27 passim; Irish myth: *Cross; England: Baughman. |
| D1733.1 | Magic power by jumping into fire. Africa (Mpongwe): Nassau 76 No. 15. |
| D1733.6 | Magic power by magic songs. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 299. |
| D1734.1 | Magic power by rubbing talisman. *Type 561. |
| D1733.4 | Magic power by sitting in certain seat. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1718.1 | Magic power contained in stick and water. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1725.1 | Magic power from Angel of Death (Cf. 1724.). Jewish: Neuman. |
| B500 | Magic power from animals.—Type 675; Fb "ønske" III 1179a.—Italian Novella: Rotunda; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Missouri French: Carrière; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 317 n. 146c; Africa (Angola): Chatelain 71 No. 3. (Cf. B100—B199 Magic animals.) |
| D1726.1 | Magic power from celestial maiden. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1766.4.1 | Magic power from christening a cock. Kittredge Witchcraft 148, 467 nn. 89—90. |
| D1766.4 | Magic power from christening an animal. |
| D1799.1 | Magic power from cleansing. (Cf. D1081, D1610.9, V1.8.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1724 | Magic power from Death. Death as godfather. (Cf. D1725.1.) *Type 332; *BP I 377ff.—Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| D1726 | Magic power from deity. Irish myth: Cross; Greek: Grote I 105; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1721.1.2 | Magic power from demon. Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen II 51. |
| D1721.1 | Magic power from devil. Kittredge Witchcraft 45, 399 n. 175; Dickson 213 n. 145.—Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 47 No. 325*A. |
| D1721.0.1 | Magic power from donning magician's clothes. (Cf. D1052.) N. A. Indian (Seneca): Curtin-Hewitt RBAE XXXII 131 No. 20. |
| D1723 | Magic power from fairy. Type 403; Irish myth: Cross; Scotch: Macdougall and Calder 251; Italian: Basile Pentamerone. I No. 3, Rotunda. |
| D1736 | Magic power from great piety. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1739.2 | Magic power from heavenly voice. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1721 | Magic power from magician. *Type 325; *Chauvin II 151 No. 11; *Fb. "sorte skole" III 469a.—Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 49, 296; English: Wells 43 (Arthour and Merlin); Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 49 No. 87; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Werner 383. |
| D1737.1 | Magic power from mother. Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 93. |
| D1739.1 | Magic power from overheard talk of spirits. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1722.1 | Magic power from prophet. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1721.1.4 | Magic power from rakshasi. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1766.2.2 | Magic power from sacrificing a cock. Kittredge Witchcraft 94, *424 nn. 132, 133. |
| D1722 | Magic power from saint. (Cf. D1713, V223.4.1.) Irish: Plummer clxxxv, Cross. |
| D1766.2.3 | Magic power from shedding blood. (Cf. D2136.8.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1726.2 | Magic power from stone idol. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1728 | Magic power from superhuman race. (Cf. D1719.3.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1733.5 | Magic power from swooning. Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 400. |
| D1561.2.3 | Magic power in chain. Lost when chain is stolen. (Cf. D1078.) Wesselski Märchen 174 No. 64. |
| D1737 | Magic power inherited. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1727 | Magic power learned from giant (as foster-father). Icelandic: Bárdar saga Snæfellsáss ch. 2 (ed. Vigfússon 1860) 2, Boberg. |
| D1741.5 | Magic power lost by being frightened. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| C947 | Magic power lost by breaking tabu. India: Thompson-Balys; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1741.1 | Magic power lost in sleep. Penzer VIII 25 n. 2. |
| D1741.2 | Magic power lost with loss of blood. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1745.1 | Magic power not effective on men born on certain day. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1732 | Magic power obtained by meditation. Penzer VI 2. |
| D1725 | Magic power obtained from angels. Jewish: Neuman, Penzer VI 63. |
| D1721.0.2 | Magic power obtained secretly from magician's friends. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1714.1 | Magic power of chaste woman. Penzer I 166, III 171 n. 1; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1717 | Magic power of children. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1715 | Magic power of dying man's words. *Type 960; BP II 531; Krappe Science 216—217.—Icelandic: Völsunga saga ch. 33 (31). |
| D1719.5 | Magic power of fairy. (Cf. A1611.10.1.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1922 | Magic power of hearing. Irish: Plummer clxxi, *Cross. |
| D1713 | Magic power of hermit (saint, yogi). (Cf. P426.2.) **Loomis White Magic; *Plummer passim; Dickson 121 n. 66; Penzer VI 201ff., VII 73, 113f.; *Barry JAFL XXVIII 195; **Toldo Studien zur vgl. Littgsch. I-IX passim; Günter; Irish: *Cross, Beal. XXI 328, O'Suilleabhain 85; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys (D1711.14, D1711.16.); Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 210, 286. See V220 for cross-references concerning magic powers of saints. |
If you wish to get access to data for projects and research, then please contact us, we do our best to help
How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. https://folkloredatabase.com
0009-0006-1672-4451
Please cite the relevant sources, catalogues, and classification systems, including the Folklore Database, Berezkin-Duvakin Catalogue, ATU, Thompson, alongside the page accessed and the last time accessed. Please respect copyright and licenses.
Editorial annotations and database enhancements © Jonathan Fielder-White licensed under CC BY 4.0. Berezkin-Duvakin derived narrative and metadata licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Full rights information can be found here.
All rights are reserved in the database structure, selection, arrangement, metadata, classifications, software, interface design, and original editorial content.
Important: The Folklore Database expressly reserves all rights in relation to text and data mining, automated extraction, scraping, machine learning, dataset creation, and the training, development, validation, or improvement of artificial intelligence technologies or systems. No part of this website or database may be scraped, copied, reproduced, harvested, downloaded in bulk, or otherwise used for AI training or commercial data extraction without prior written permission.
Designed and Developed by Jonathan Fielder-White.
© 2024–2026 Crecganford / Jonathan Fielder-White. All rights reserved.