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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 |
|---|---|
| H105.5.4 | Abandoned son shows claws and tail of tiger to which his parents have exposed him. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H105.6 | Identification between lovers by matching claw and leg of dragon. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H105.7 | Sex organs of enemy as proof of slaying. Jewish: Neuman. |
| H106 | Identification by severed limbs. (Cf. also H105.) |
| H106.1 | Identification by severed hand. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H106.2 | Severed head as proof of killing. Type 507B (H. C. Andersen Rejsekammeraten); Icelandic: *Boberg; Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| H110 | Identification by cloth or clothing. |
| H111 | Identification by garment. *Types 301, 510B, 451; English: Wells 116 (Sir Eglamour of Artois), 126 (Lai le Freine); Italian Novella: *Rotunda; Africa (Benga): Nassau 229 No. 34. |
| H111.1 | Identification by royal garments. Burton Nights S VII 108; English: Wells 126 (Lai la Freine). |
| H111.2 | Identification by feather cloak. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 420, 479. |
| H112 | Identification by scarf. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "foulard". |
| H113 | Identification by handkerchief. *Types 300, 301; *Hartland Perseus III 206ff.; Missouri French: Carrière; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "mouchoir"; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H114 | Identification by glove. English: Wells 134 (Sir Degare); Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H115 | Identification by veil. *Hartland Perseus III 206. |
| H116 | Identification by girdle. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| H117 | Identification by cut garment. Garment is cut and fragment taken as token. *Types 304, 851; *BP I 197, II 505; *Hartland Perseus 208ff.; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H118 | Identification by shred of garment of rescued princess used as bandage for wound. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H119 | Identification by cloth or clothing—miscellaneous. |
| H119.1 | A piece of cloth on one's back as a guarantee against his being eaten on the way. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H119.2 | Needle left in garment of husband by abducted wife as sign. Chinese: Graham. |
| H120 | Identification by tokens—miscellaneous. |
| H121 | Identification by cup. English: Wells 158 (Amis and Amiloun); Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| H125 | Identification by weapons. Icelandic: Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H125.1 | Identification by sword. Irish myth: Cross; Greek: Fox 100 (Theseus). |
| H125.2 | Identification by spear. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 416. |
| H125.3 | Identification by war-club. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 508. |
| H125.4 | Recognition by dart. Maori: Beckwith Myth 482. |
| H126 | Identification by coat of arms. English: Wells 117 (Sir Torrent of Portyngale). |
| H131 | Identification by axe. Recognition by axe which man bears. Fb "økse" III 1171b. |
| H132 | Recognition by knife. Man who is werwolf recognized by knife which was carried away by the wolf. Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 46 No. 74; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 131 No. 74. |
| H133 | Recognition by calabash. Slave recognizes calabash and knows that girl lives. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 27. |
| H134 | Recognition through books. French Canadian: Sister Marie Ursule. |
| H135 | Leaf (chip) sent down stream as a warning to one below. (Cf. H35.4.) Child I 40b, 487a; *Schoepperle Tristan and Isolt 301ff.; Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H135.1 | Recognition by trimmed leaf thrown from tree hiding place. India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Africa (Nyanja): Rattray Some Folk-Lore Stories (London, 1907) 149ff. No. 24, (Chaga): Stamberg ZsES XXIII 296ff. |
| H135.2 | Milk poured into stream as signal. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H142 | Recognition by token—mouth-harp left by bed. Chinese: Graham. |
| H145 | Identification by magic hand. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H147 | Recognition by tobacco-pipe. Chinese: Graham (H107). |
| H150 | Circumstances of recognition. Missouri French: Carrière. |
| H151 | Attention drawn and recognition follows. |
| H151.1 | Attention drawn by magic objects: recognition follows. *Type 707; *BP II 380ff.; Italian: Basile Pentamerone Introduction; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H151.1.1 | Attention drawn by playing marbles with remarkable jewel. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H151.1.2 | Attention drawn by gold and silver decorated mouse: as princess turns after it, suitor recognizes her. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H151.1.3 | Recognition by ability to perform marvels. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H151.2 | Attention drawn by helpful animal's theft of food from wedding table; recognition follows. *Type 301, 900; BP I 443ff.; *Philippson FFC L 53; *Fb "mad" II 525a. |
| H151.3 | Recognition when parents come to son (priest, pope) to be confessed. *Type 933; *Köhler-Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. VI 173 (to Gonzenbach No. 85); *Baum PMLA XXXI 562 n. 59; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| H151.4 | Recognition by cup in sack: alleged stolen goods. Cup is placed in the sack of Joseph's brethren, they are accused of theft; this gives occasion for recognition. *BP I 489; *Fb "sæk" III 720b, "bæger" IV 83a; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Italian: Basile Pentamerone IV No. 10; Jewish: *Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H151.5 | Attention attracted by hints dropped by heroine as menial: recognition follows. *Type 510; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H151.6 | Heroine in menial disguise discovered in her beautiful clothes: recognition follows. *Type 510; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H151.6.1 | Enchanted heroine seen temporarily disenchanted: recognition follows. Italian: Basile Pentamerone II No. 6. |
| H151.6.2 | Recognition because of imperfection of disguise. Type 510; German: Grimm No. 152. |
| H151.7 | Hero's power to transform girl to carnation brings about recognition. *Type 652. |
| H151.8 | Husband attracted by wife's power of healing: recognition follows. *Type 712. |
| H151.9 | Abandoned child joins parents in game: recognition follows. Oceanic (New Zealand, Melanesia): Dixon 42 n. 10. |
| H151.9.1 | Abandoned child recognized in game. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H151.10 | Combat of unknown brothers brings about recognition. Dickson 108 n. 18; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H151.11 | Hero is served at table by his unknown son: recognition of his wife follows. English: Wells 130 (Emare). Cf. Chaucer's Man of Law's Tale. |
| H151.12 | Geese tell of beauty of their mistress and bring about recognition. *Type 533; Köhler-Bolte I 347; Italian: Basile Pentamerone IV No. 7. |
| H151.13 | Disguised hero's golden hair discovered by spying princess. Type 314. |
| H151.14 | Tears fall on person below and indicate presence of those above (on cliff, tree, etc.). |
| H151.14.1 | Recognition by tear falling from tree where girl has been abandoned. India: *Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 77. |
| H151.15 | Seller of trinkets tells of heroine's address of son as "tiger's son" and brings about recognition of true bride. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H152 | Recognition through accidental encounter. |
| H152.1 | Poor people given alms: one of them recognized. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H152.1.1 | Woman entertains every traveler in the hope of finding her husband. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H152.2 | Impoverished husband in service of wife recognized. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H152.3 | Abandoned wife recognized among workers. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H153 | Outcast wife (children) builds castle identical with king's, invites him, and is recognized. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H154 | Recognition of abandoned child when parent comes to him for relief from famine. Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H155 | Abandoned queen invites all to forest, gives appropriate food to her persecutors, and is recognized. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H157 | King finds note with children in casket floated down river identifying them as his. (Cf. S141.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 526. |
| H161 | Recognition of transformed person among identical companions. Prearranged signals. *Type 313, 325; *BP II 29, 516ff.; *Fb "hest" I 598b; *Köhler to Gonzenbach II 246.—Missouri French: Carrière; Hindu: Keith 142; India: *Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 340 n. 224. |
| H161.0.1 | Recognition of person among identical companions. Irish myth: *Cross; Chinese: Graham. |
| H162 | Recognition of disguised princess by bee lighting on her. Fb "bi" IV 36b; Italian Novella: Rotunda; India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| H162.1 | Insect points out deity by settling where he is. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 18. |
| H162.2 | King selected by having a cricket light on his head. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| H162.3 | Recognition of disguised princess by bull. Africa (Madagascar): Renel I 144ff. No. 26, 148ff. No. 27. |
| H163 | Recognition of own cow in herd of twenty thousand. Hornet helper. Africa: Werner African 154. |
| H165 | Father recognizes son after having thrown him in oven. Marquesas: Beckwith Myth 482. |
| H171 | Animal (object) indicates election of ruler. *Egerton JAOS XXXIII 158; *Chauvin VI 75 No. 239; Irish: Beal XXI 309. |
| H171.1 | King selected by elephant's bowing to him. *Penzer V 175ff.; *Hartland Ritual and Belief (1914) 290ff.; *Christiansen FFC XXIV 124; Paris Zs. f. Vksk. XIII 6 n. 8.—India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H171.1.1 | Elephant raises girl three times to be king's wife. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H171.2 | Bird indicates election of king (pope). *Type 671; *BP I 325; Fb "pave" II 793a; *Loomis White Magic 66; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H171.3 | Horse indicates election of emperor. *Howey Horse in Magic and Myth 157; Penzer IV 104, V 176; Herodotus II cap. 84—87; Herbert III 210; Oesterley No. 270. |
| H171.4 | Man before whom riderless car stops chosen king. *Penzer V 175ff. |
| H171.4.1 | Man before whom oxen stop chosen king. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H171.5 | Stone of destiny (Lia Fáil). Roars out under rightful king. (Cf. H71.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H171.6 | Pope selected by chair moving toward candidate. Irish: O'Suilleabhain 27 (b). |
| H172 | Animal will serve only certain man. |
| H172.1 | Horse will permit only certain man to ride him. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H173 | Disguised man recognized by dog. Greek: Fox 139; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H173.1 | Chieftain recognized by faithful swineherd. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H173.2 | Chieftain recognized by former captive. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H173.3 | Animal first to recognize his returned master. *Boje 105, 108ff.; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H175 | Recognition by "force of nature". Unknown member of family immediately and magically recognized. *Dickson 16f., 69 n. 17; Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 86. |
| H175.1 | Recognition of son by gushing up of milk in mother's breasts. *Cosquin études 199ff., 238; *Chauvin V 13 No. 8; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H175.2 | Child mystically recognizes woman as his mother. Chinese: Graham. |
| H175.3 | Sick prince's pulse beats violently when his loved one passes by. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H175.4 | Fire issues spontaneously from fireless hearth when man approaches. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H175.5 | Ghost of unknown child passes over heads of parents and bursts in a spray of blood. Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 183. |
| H181 | Recognition by unmasking. *Type 900; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H182 | Beating brings about outcry and recognition. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H183 | Identification by nurse. Long-missing person identified by his childhood nurse. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| H184 | Recognition by miraculous sight of seer (saint). Irish myth: Cross; Greek: Fox 119 (Cassandra). |
| H186 | Hero spits twice at his wife as sign of recognition. Chinese: Graham. |
| H187 | Recognition by servant: saves master from death. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| H188 | Princess appears before crane (who had demanded her in marriage) and is recognized by him despite loathly disguise. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H192 | Recognition by supernatural manifestation. Jewish: Neuman. |
| H192.1 | Recognition of man acceptable to God: knife leaps into his hand. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| H210 | Test of guilt or innocence. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H210.1 | Guilt or innocence of souls tested by bridge. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H211 | Criminal detected by having child hand knife to him. *Type 950; Köhler-Bolte I 202. |
| H215 | Magic manifestation at execution proves innocence. Types 451, 710; Irish: Beal XXI 316; German: Grimm Nos. 3, 6, 120; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| H215.1 | Sword magically changed to wood when executioner is to decapitate innocent person. Chauvin V 173 No. 96 n. 1. |
| H215.2 | Gallows rope breaks when innocent person is hanged. Irish: O'Suilleabhain 44. |
| H215.3 | Grass refuses to grow: indication of innocence of man hanged there. (Cf. E631.2, F974.) U.S., Wales: *Baughman. |
| H215.4 | Ineradicable handprint as indication of innocence. (Cf. D1654.3.) U.S.: Baughman. |
| H216 | Indications of innocence. |
| H216.1 | Garden filled with flowers on innocent girl's approach. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H216.2 | Voice from heaven testifies to innocence of accused. (Cf. F966.) Jewish: *Neuman. |
| H216.3 | Church door opens magically, as proof of priest's innocence. Irish: O'Suilleabhain 29. |
| H217 | Decision made by contest. India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda; Korean: Zong in-Sob 195; Philippine: Fansler MAFLS XII 137. |
| H217.1 | Decision of victory by single combat between army leaders. (Cf. H218.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H217.2 | Decision by single combat or holmgang of who is to marry girl. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H217.3 | Holmgang to decide owner of gold. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H217.4 | Holmgang to decide who is to be king. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H218 | Trial by combat. Guilt or innocence established in judicial combat. Thien Motive 41f.; *Schoepperle II 338ff.; Dickson 74, 77 n. 38, 78 n. 40, 130f., 153, 174, 226; *Ashdown Modern Lang. Review XVII 113ff.; Bell ibid. XVIII 22ff.; *Boje 88; *Hibbard 35ff., 132 n. 11.—Irish myth: *Cross; English: Child V 490 s.v. "ordeal", Wells 97 (Chevalere Assigne); Icelandic: *Boberg; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; Jewish: Neuman; Hindu: Tawney I 396. |
| H218.0.1 | Vindication by champion. Usually noble lady or king accused. Child II 34—48, 508a, 510b. See also most references to H218. |
| H218.1 | Judicial combat interrupted by friends of loser. *Dickson 79 n. 40. |
| H218.2 | Wrestling to test legitimacy of son. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H220 | Ordeals. Guilt or innocence thus established. **Patetta Le Ordalie (1890). *Hdwb. d. Abergl. III 994ff.; Penzer VIII 196 n.; Keith Encyc. Relig. Eth. s.v. "ordeal"; Basset RTP XVII 397, 597, XIX 156ff., XXIII 182.—Irish: *Cross, Beal XXI 317; English: Child V 490 "ordeal"; Icelandic: Boberg; West Indies: Flowers 455. |
| H221 | Ordeal by fire. Suspected person must pass through or jump over fire to determine guilt or innocence. Basset RTP VI 631; Scala Celi 6b, 46b Nos. 38, 259; Herbert III 605f., Alphabet Nos. 69, 221, 434; *Gaster Exempla 191 No. 28.—Irish: O'Suilleabhain 71; English: Child V 490 s.v. "ordeal"; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Hindu: Keith 128; S. A. Indian (Brazil): Ehrenreich Int. Cong. Americanists XIV 661; Am. Negro (Georgia): Harris Nights 248 No. 42; Jamaica: *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 238 No. 9. |
| H221.1 | Ordeal by burning coal. Basset RTP VII 284; Jewish: Neuman. |
| H221.1.1 | Ordeal: carrying live coals in robe or cloak without harm to garment or bearer. *Loomis White Magic 34. |
| H221.1.2 | Sanctity of person tested by survival in burning house. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H221.1.3 | Sanctity of books tested by throwing them into fire. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H221.2 | Ordeal by hot iron. *Penzer VIII 195 n. 3, 196 n.; Basset RTP VII 284, 615, VIII 20, 431, 561; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Spanish Exempla: Keller; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H221.2.1 | Ordeal: virgin to pull on hot iron and name men. Only with guilty will she and he be burnt. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H221.2.2 | Ordeal by red-hot iron applied by druids. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H221.3 | Ordeal by burning oil. Basset RTP VII 282, VIII 20; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 22. |
| H221.4 | Ordeal by boiling water. Basset RTP VII 281, 616, VIII 561; Irish: *Cross, O'Suilleabhain 50, Beal XXI 318; Icelandic: Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H221.5 | Ordeal by spitting. Extinguishing fire is proof of innocence. England: *Baughman. |
| H222 | Ordeal by water. Guilt or innocence shown by ability to swim. *Kittredge Witchcraft 232ff., 536ff.; Penzer VIII 195f.; Basset RTP VII 285; *Fb "svømme" III 695b, "vand" III 999b, "vandprøve" III 1005b; Loomis White Magic 41.—Irish myth: *Cross; Greek: Frazer Pausanias III 388; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3664; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; West Indies: Flowers 456. |
| H222.0.1 | Ordeal by water applied by druids. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H222.1 | Legitimacy of children tested by dipping them in river. English: Child I 271 n. |
| H222.2 | Ordeal by holy water. If simpleton closes his eyes to holy water he is possessed; if he laughs he is merely an idiot. U.S.: Baughman; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| H222.3 | Guilt or innocence shown by effect of enchanted water. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H222.4 | Sanctity of books tested by throwing them into water. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H223 | Ordeal by poison. Penzer VIII 196 n.; Basset RTP VI 631, VII 278, 616; Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| H224 | Ordeal by crocodiles (snakes). Judgment depends on whether person is devoured or rejected by crocodiles. Basset RTP VII 286; English: Child V 490 "ordeal." |
| H224.1 | Ordeal by kissing poisonous serpents. Irish: O'Suilleabhain 46. |
| H225 | Ordeal by rope-walking. Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 182, (Ekoi): Talbot 402; Jamaica: *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 238 No. 9. |
| H225.1 | Ordeal: walking on ladder of knives. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 22. |
| H225.2 | Ordeal: walking on eggs. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 22. |
| H226 | Ordeal by balance. Defendant is weighed twice. He must be lighter second time. *Penzer VIII 195 n. 3. |
| H227 | Ordeal: carrying murdered man's blood. Must not spill it. Fb "blod" IV 47b. |
| H228 | Ordeal by creeping under a sod partially detached from the earth without its falling down. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H232 | Ordeal by bread and cheese. Declaration: if I am not innocent may I choke on bread and cheese. Kittredge Witchcraft 237f., 543 nn. 85—91; England: *Baughman. |
| H233 | Ordeal: taking stone out of bucket. Color indicates guilt or innocence. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H233.1 | Ordeal: names of suspected persons are placed in chalice on altar: the one to whom the lot falls is guilty. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H234 | Scales test: weighing witch against Bible. England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| H235 | Ordeal: cock under pot crows when guilty person touches pot. England: *Baughman. |
| H236 | Ordeal by exposure. (Cf. S141, S331.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H240 | Other tests of truth. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H241 | Worn-out shoes as proof of long journey. *Köhler-Bolte I 574f.; Fb "sko" III 288b; Icelandic: Saga och Sed 1940 p. 35, *Boberg; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. No. 114. |
| H242 | Credential tests: proof that messenger comes from certain person. Africa (Fjort): Dennett 75 No. 16. |
| H242.1 | Riding speckled horse as credential test. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H243 | Nature fruitless if false judgment is passed. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H244 | Person magically disfigured when he speaks falsely. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H245 | Casting lots as truth test. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H245.1 | Incantation which when recited over certain "lots" causes them to distinguish between guilt and innocence. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H248 | Test of death: to see whether person is dead or feigning. English: Child V 3, 6, 498 s.v. "tests"; Africa (Mpongwe): Nassau 16ff. Nos. 1, 3, 3 version 2; (Basuto): Jacottet 14 No. 1. |
| H248.1 | Sham-dead person tested by hot lead poured on hand. *Wesselski Märchen 197. |
| H248.2 | Sham dead tested by stinging insects down back. Africa (Yaunde): Heepe 253ff. No. 31. |
| H248.2.1 | Crocodile masking as dead obeys suggestion that he make flesh quiver. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H248.3 | Sham dead tested by pricking. Italian Novella: Rotunda; Jewish: Neuman. |
| H248.4 | Test of death by putting burning wood in the mouth of fallen warriors. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H248.5 | Sham dead detected by batting eyes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H251 | Test of truth by magic object. |
| H251.1 | Bocca della Veritа. Person swearing oath places hand in mouth of image. If oath is false the hand is bitten off. *Bolte Reise der Söhne Giaffers 216; *Pauli (ed. Bolte) Nos. 8, 206; *Krappe Nuovi Studi Medievali II fasc. I (1925); *Spargo Virgil the Necromancer 207ff.; English: Child I 269, 270 n., cf. Alphabet No. 418; Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| H251.1.1 | Oath of truth before magic lion. If oath is false perjurer is dismembered. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H251.2 | Stone of truth. When one stands on it he must utter truth. Fb "sten" III 554b; *Loomis White Magic 132.—Irish: Plummer clvii, *Cross. |
| H251.2.1 | Stone cannot be moved by one who speaks falsehood. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H251.2.2 | Magic stone detects perjury: sheds water. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H251.2.3 | Stone on which saint was born pours forth water when perjury is committed under it. "But if (the) oath be true, the stone remains in its proper nature." Irish myth: Cross. |
| H251.3 | Other magic object tests truth. |
| H251.3.1 | Tree tests perjury. Irish: Plummer cliii, Cross. |
| H251.3.2 | Thief detected by psalter and key. Closed Bible with key inside at magic text loosely held by diviner and client. Name of suspected thief on end of key. As verse is spoken, if name is that of thief, book and key will turn around. Kittredge Witchcraft 196 nn. 65—82. |
| H251.3.3 | Thief detected by sieve and shears. Sieve put on open shears and then grasped by two fingers so as to balance. Charm recited. If sieve trembles when name is called, that person is guilty. Kittredge Witchcraft 198ff. nn. 83—94; England: Baughman; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn VI (1900) 389ff., (1936) 188ff. |
| H251.3.4 | Stick with money in it breaks and betrays thief who swears his innocence. Hdwb. d. Märchens I 248a; *Zachariae Zs. f. Vksk. XXXIII 78; Chauvin II 129; BP IV 323, 389; Jewish: Gaster Exempla No. 121, *Neuman. |
| H251.3.5 | Oath taken before image. If oath is false the image turns around (or changes color). Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| H251.3.6 | Chain around neck tests truth. Tightens when wearer speaks falsehood. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H251.3.7 | Magic object cast on water sinks if person is guilty. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H251.3.8 | Magic object clings to hand of guilty person. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H251.3.9 | Magic spring detects perjury: disfigures perjurer. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H251.3.9.1 | Magic spring detects parricide and idolatry. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H251.3.9.2 | Well rises for sheep only for rightful owner. Jewish: Neuman. |
| H251.3.10 | False judgment by judge causes fruit to fall. Just judgment by judge causes fruit to be perfect. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H251.3.11 | Pig that can be boiled only after four true stories are told. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H251.3.12 | Truth-testing vessel. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H251.3.13 | Magic cup as test of truth and falsehood. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H251.3.14 | Calumniated princess' dead body fails to rot; accuser repudiated. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H252 | Act of truth. Person asserts a thing as true declaring: "If my words are true, may this or that happen." W. J. Rees Lives of the Cambro-British Saints 193; J. P. Collier Old Shakespeare Society XIV 82; Alphabet Nos. 35, 486; *Burlingame Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (July 1917) 429ff.; Fb "ildebrand" II 13.—Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys, *Penzer II 31ff., III 179ff., IV 239 n. 3; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 23, 96, 151, 490, 531, 707, 832, II 412, 473, 614, 679, 816, 841, 933, 1060, 1098, 1153, 1258. |
| H252.0.1 | Test: telling true stories. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H252.1 | Placing hand on genitals as test of truth. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H252.2 | Amount of blood in spittle as test of complete subjection. Incomplete till all is blood. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H252.3 | If oath is false, fruit will fall. (Cf. H251.3.10.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H252.4 | Oath taken on boy's head: boy to die if false. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H252.4.1 | Act of truth: boy falls dead though what has been said is the truth; when lie is told he is resuscitated. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H252.4.2 | Women swear falsely by their husbands and children, who immediately fall dead. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H252.5 | Act of truth: island sinks into sea, after hanging of man who has appealed to God to cause the phenomenon as indication of his innocence. (Cf. F948.) U.S.: *Baughman. |
| H252.6 | Act of truth: cursed church clock never runs correctly. England: Baughman. |
| H253 | Oaths before gods as test of truth. Chinese: Werner 403. |
| H255 | Test: which of twins is elder. Younger unthinkingly hands chopsticks to elder and thus betrays his junior rank. Burmese: Scott Indo-Chinese 356. |
| H256 | Test of innocence: apple and gold offered. Innocent person takes apple. Hdwb. d. Märchens I 93a; BP I 203, III 236. |
| H256.1 | Test of child's innocence: onyx stone and coal of fire offered. (Cf. H501.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| H257 | Holiness of saint tested: asked to perform miracles. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H257.1 | Grade of holiness tested: one whose candle burns down first. *Loomis White Magic 129. |
| H261 | Gold in the Bible. A man professes to be a great Bible reader. King leaves a piece of money in the Bible. On his next visit it is still there. Anderson FFC XLII 361. Cf. Type 1453. |
| H263 | Test of sin. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H263.1 | Exposure in boat as test of sin. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H264 | Footsteps in manure (dust) as proof that dead man has walked. Chinese: Graham. |
| H300 | Tests connected with marriage. |
| H301 | Excessive demands to prevent marriage. *Chauvin V 63 No. 19 n. 1; Irish myth: Cross; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| H305 | Task: to win ogress' daughter for a bride. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H310 | Suitor tests. A suitor is put to severe tests by his prospective bride or father-in-law. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; English: Wells 16 (Guy of Warwick); Welsh: MacCulloch Celtic 187; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 324 n. 170, 328 n. 186; S. A. Indian (Tropical Forests): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (3) 55, (Carib): Alexander Lat. Am. 264; Africa: Werner African 153f., (Benga): Nassau 227 No. 34. |
| H310.1 | Tests for hero, husband of supernatural (divine) wife. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H310.2 | Brother unwittingly qualifies as bridegroom of sister in test. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H311 | Inspection test for suitors. Suitors for princess's hand must present themselves for public inspection. (Cf. H362, T55.7.) Types 314, 502; BP III 111; Krappe Revue Hispanique LXXXI 5ff.; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 104, *Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H312 | Physical and mental requirements for suitors. Penzer III 66; Irish myth: *Cross; Cape Verde Islands: Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 106 n. 1. |
| H312.1 | Successful suitor to be without blotches. Africa (Mpongwe): Nassau 69 No. 15; Jamaica: *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 272 No. 85. |
| H312.2 | Successful suitor must have gold teeth. *Fb "tand" III 771a; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. No. 93; Italian: Basile Pentamerone III No. 1. |
| H312.3 | Suitors chosen with feet as only part seen. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H312.4 | Successful suitor must have whitest hands. Blacksmith qualifies because of frequent washing of hands. Herbert III 86. |
| H312.4.1 | Successful suitor must have the prettiest hands; not whitest, but dark with scars and gold rings. Köhler-Bolte I 90; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H312.5 | Successful suitor must have cheeks like blood, skin like snow and hair like a raven. (Cf. Z65.1.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H312.6 | Suitor test: correct wearing of clothes. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H312.7 | Suitor test: to be able to go through a wall. Chinese: Graham. |
| H312.8 | Bridegroom-to-be has to have three pecks, three quarts of gold and an animal with a horn on his head pointing to the sky, and a large red hair. Chinese: Graham. |
| H313 | Suitor test: obedience and humility before bride. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H313.1 | Princess will marry whoever will give her anything she wishes for a month. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H313.2 | Fairy will marry king only if he will either cut off son's head or give up fasting on eleventh day. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H314 | Suitor's sincerity tested. Chinese: Werner 272. |
| H314.1 | Suitor's sincerity tested by reporting girl's death. All but one make excuses for not helping with funeral. Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 85 No. 14. |
| H314.2 | Suitor's sincerity tested by seven years' banishment. Heptameron No. 24. |
| H315 | Suitor test: to whom the princess turns. Rival suitors sleep with princess. The one she turns to is to have her. They vie in enticements. *Type 621, 850; Köhler-Bolte I 428f. |
| H315.1 | Suitor test: to make the princess fall in love with him. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H315.2 | Suitor contest: bride offered to suitor giving the token of the greater love. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| H316 | Suitor test: apple thrown indicates princess's choice. (Often golden apple.) *Type 502; *BP III 111; Cosquin Contes Indiens 317ff.; Chauvin VI 3, *201, VIII 151, *Galtier RTP XIV 65; Fb "guldæble" I 516a; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 93a. |
| H316.1 | Orange (lemon) thrown to indicate princess's choice. Cosquin Contes Indiens 317ff. |
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