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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 |
|---|---|
| F420.2.1 | Water-spirits live in castles of crystal under water. (Cf. F451.4.3.4.) Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 40 No. 23; Czech: Wiener 114, Gradl 33 No. 69; French: Sébillot France II 196, 200, 343. |
| F420.2.1.1 | Water-spirits' under-water castle is luxuriously furnished. Austrian: Mailly Niederöst. 33 No. 69, 48 No. 102; Czech: Wiener 114; German: Henne-Am Rhyn 114, Wiechert 73 No. 129. |
| F420.2.2 | Water-spirits live in village under water. Icelandic: Lagerholm 167—68, Boberg; Swiss: Frey 5. |
| F420.2.3 | Water-spirits have garden. German: Henne-Am Rhyn 117. |
| F420.2.4 | When water-spirits are outside their homes the seas are heavy. (Cf. F420.1.5.3.) *Fb "havfolk" I 569. |
| F420.2.5 | Water-spirits have hearth made of three human skulls. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F420.3 | Social life among water-spirits. |
| F420.3.1 | Water-spirits have family life under water. German: Schnetzler 289; French: Sébillot France II 346. |
| F420.3.2 | Water-spirits have likings and occupations like human beings. |
| F420.3.2.1 | Water-spirits dance. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F420.3.2.1.1 | Water-maidens dance at village fair. German: Janosch 9, Schöppner I 277 No. 235. |
| F420.3.2.2 | Water-women come to market and store. German: Zinck 12, Kahlo Nieders. 63 No. 107; French: Sébillot France II 344. |
| F420.3.2.3 | Water-women wash and hang up laundry on beach. German: Pröhle Deutsche Sagen 220 No. 173; French: Sébillot France II 200, 351f. |
| F420.3.2.4 | Water-spirits bake. German: Meier I 75 No. 82. |
| F420.3.2.5 | Water-spirits mend clothes. German: Bindewald 95, Kern 85 No. 11. |
| F420.3.2.6 | Water-maidens spin. German: Baader 100 No. 133, Lohre 50 No. 85. |
| F420.3.2.7 | Water-man cuts osier to make wicker basket. German: Kern 85 No. 11; Austrian: Calliano 107. |
| F420.3.3 | Water-spirits have kingdom under water: queen, king, attendants, vassals. German: Schnetzler 277 No. 10; Czech: Gradl 22 No. 69; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 40 No. 23. |
| F420.3.4 | Water-spirits have laws. |
| F420.3.4.1 | Water-spirits must be in water before midnight; delay is punished with death indicated by blood in water. German: Pfister 70, Meier 71 No. 79. |
| F420.3.4.2 | Water-spirits must be in water before dawn; delay is punished with death. (Cf. F451.3.2.1. and cross-references there given.) German: Schöppner I 221, 227; French: Sébillot France II 340. |
| F420.3.5 | Water-spirits visited by mortal. Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 46 No. 56. |
| F420.4 | Characteristics of water-spirits. |
| F420.4.1 | Water-spirits possess magic power. German: Weichert II 199 No. 182, Künzig Schwarzwald 168; French: Sébillot France II 197, 347, 410. |
| F420.4.1.1 | Protean transformation of water-spirit. Greek: Fox 87, 122 (Nereus, Thetis), Frazer Apollodorus II 67 n. 6; Slavic: Máchal 270. |
| F420.4.2 | Water-spirits have supernatural lapse of time: days seem like years. (Cf. F377.) |
| F420.4.3 | Water-spirits are cannibals: devour mortal victim, suck blood. German: Meier I 70 No. 6, Lohre 51 No. 87. |
| F420.4.4 | Water-spirits are grateful. Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn II (1893) 143ff., (1928) 101ff.; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 58 Nos. 495—500; German: Pfister 50; Austrian: Calliano I 141. |
| F420.4.5 | Water-spirits are jealous. Paul 14. |
| F420.4.6 | Water-man is rendered powerless if kept away from water. German: Kratzer 90 No. 34; French: Sébillot France II 352. |
| F420.4.6.1 | Water-women are powerless when their garments are taken. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 261. |
| F420.4.7 | Seeing and observing of water-spirits has fatal consequences. German: Knoop 150 No. 114, Pröhle Deutsche Sagen 150 No. 114; French: Sébillot France II 198, 345. |
| F420.4.8 | Water-spirits have treasures under water. German: Künzig Badische 48 No. 137, Stöber 87 No. 118; French: Sébillot France II 312, 410. |
| F420.4.9 | Water-spirit controls water-supply. India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Shangang): Bourhill and Drake 78ff. No. 8. |
| F420.4.10 | Water-spirits are prophetic. (Cf. F420.5.1.1.) Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 53 No. 31. |
| F420.5 | Deeds and actions of water-spirits. |
| F420.5.1 | Kind water-spirits. |
| F420.5.1.1 | Water-spirits protect and warn sailor against storm and in tempest. Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 58 Nos. 495—500; Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 46 No. 58; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 41 No. 29; Austrian: Gloning 37, Ebermann Donausagen 143 No. 88. |
| F420.5.1.1.1 | Water-spirits save shipwrecked people. Icelandic: Lagerholm 167—68, Boberg. |
| F420.5.1.2 | Water-spirits help poor. German: Schnetzler 273 No. 9, Haas Grimmen 36 No. 75. |
| F420.5.1.3 | Water-spirits help lovers. Gradl 22 No. 46, Richter III 152 No. 5. |
| F420.5.1.4 | Water-spirits work as servants for mortal for small compensation. German: Haas Grimmen 36 No. 75, Pröhle Deutsche Sagen 7 No. 9; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 55 No. 475. |
| F420.5.1.5 | Water-spirits work as servants for mortal but disappear when compensation is offered or origin suspected. *Krappe Bulletin Hispanique XXXIX 44; German: Pröhle Deutsche Sagen 220 No. 173, Meier I 68 No. 5; Czech: Wiener 45. |
| F420.5.1.6 | Water-spirits work at night in home of mortals. German: Schnetzler 294, Meier I 71 No. 79. |
| F420.5.1.7 | Water-spirits give gifts to mortals. (Cf. F342, F451.5.1.5.) |
| F420.5.1.7.1 | Water-spirits give money, gold, or precious stones. (Cf. F451.5.1.5.) German: Plöckinger 8, Kern 87 No. 11. |
| F420.5.1.7.2 | Seemingly worthless gifts of water-spirits turn to gold. (Cf. F451.5.1.4. and cross references there given.) German: Henne-Am Rhyn 119, Meier I 71, 79. |
| F420.5.1.7.3 | Water-spirits give magic gifts. Austrian: Calliano 236, Huber and Zaural 106. |
| F420.5.1.7.4 | Water-spirit returns to the woodchopper a silver axe in place of the one he has lost. Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 46 No. 65; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| F420.5.1.7.5 | Water-spirit gives mortal fish. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F420.5.1.8 | Water-spirits give advice. Austrian: Calliano I 68. |
| F420.5.1.9 | Water-spirits adopt human foundling. German: Schnetzler 264 No. 5. |
| F420.5.1.10 | Water-spirits save man from drowning. Icelandic: Þiðriks saga II 395, Lagerholm 166, Boberg. |
| F420.5.2 | Malevolent water-spirits. Icelandic: Grettis Saga ch. 65—66 in RSB VI (1897), Boberg. |
| F420.5.2.1 | Water-spirits lure mortal into water. Irish myth: *Cross Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn (1893) 163ff., (1928) 112ff. |
| F420.5.2.1.1 | Water-maiden enamors man and draws him under water. (Cf. F302.3.4, G264.) U.S.: Baughman; German: *Wehrhan 74, Nies 118 No. 86, Plöckinger 39 No. 31; Icelandic: Boberg; French: Sébillot France II 197, 342, 348, 411; Greek: Fox 110 (Hylas); India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F420.5.2.1.2 | Water-spirits lure children into water, offering objects. Austrian: Calliano II 24, Huber and Zaural 19; French: Sébillot France II 310, 343, 417; England: Baughman. |
| F420.5.2.1.3 | Hero drowned by water-spirits, who draw him down as he crosses ice. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 277 n. 23. |
| F420.5.2.1.4 | Water-goddess allows body of drowning person to come up three times. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F420.5.2.1.5 | Water-spirit drags children into river. England: *Baughman. |
| F420.5.2.1.6 | Water-spirit claims a life every seven years. England: *Baughman. |
| F420.5.2.2 | Water-spirits kidnap mortals and keep them under water. Irish: Beal VII 49; Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 46 No. 60; German: Paul 46, Brüger 130; French: Sébillot France II 342, 409, 410; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Werner 352; Japanese: Ikeda; Africa (Cameroon): Rosenhuber 46ff. |
| F420.5.2.2.1 | Water-spirit returns kidnapped man in return for release of his long hair. Victim's father has wound the hair around his fingers. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F420.5.2.2.2 | Mistreated boy sings unto water spirits to take him: waters rise up in tank to engulf him. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F420.5.2.3 | Water-spirit keeps souls of drowned persons in dishes in his home. German: Mailly Niederöst. 46 No. 101. |
| F420.5.2.4 | Water-spirits steal children and leave changeling. German: Kahlo Nieders. I 66 No. 111, Künzig Schwarzwald 171. |
| F420.5.2.5 | Water-spirits interfere with building bridges, dams. (Cf. F451.5.2.5.) German: Kratzer 93 No. 36, Ebermann Elbsagen 117 No. 67. |
| F420.5.2.6 | Water-spirits take revenge on mortals. |
| F420.5.2.6.1 | Water-spirits take revenge if yearly tribute is not given. German: Meier III 428 No. 121, Haas Pommersche 38 No. 78; French: Sébillot France II 338, 339; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn II (1893) 156ff., (1928) 108ff. |
| F420.5.2.6.2 | Water-spirits take revenge for trespassing on ground they claim as theirs. German: Siebert 186. |
| F420.5.2.6.3 | Water-spirits take revenge for being harmed. German: Schultze 140, Dumke 52; French: Sébillot France II 342. |
| F420.5.2.6.4 | Water-spirits avenge selves on mortal who fails to keep promise. German: Realis 163, Kurs 322; French: Sébillot France II 342. |
| F420.5.2.6.5 | Water-maidens avenge selves for scorned love. German: Nies 118 No. 86. |
| F420.5.2.6.6 | Water-spirits take revenge on mortals for pollution of water. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| F420.5.2.7 | Water-spirit turns boat in circle. German: Heese 116. |
| F420.5.2.7.1 | Water-spirit crushes boat. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| F420.5.2.7.2 | Water-spirit shakes ship. Icelandic: Ketils saga H. 116, Gríms saga L. 145, örvar-Odds saga 42, *Boberg. |
| F420.5.2.7.3 | Water-spirit wrecks ship. Icelandic: Lagerholm 164—65, *Boberg; S. A. Indian (Tiatinagua): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 447. |
| F420.5.2.7.4 | Water-spirit holds ship back. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| F420.5.2.8 | Water-spirit splashes passing people. Stöber 37 No. 53. |
| F420.5.2.9 | Water-spirits lead travelers astray. German: Hartmann 35, Schnetzler 269 No. 8. |
| F420.5.2.10 | Water-man sits on back of persons as heavy burden. German: Kern 89. |
| F420.5.2.11 | Water-spirits cause blindness. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| F420.5.2.12 | Water-spirit causes illness and death. Africa (Bakuba): Einstein 164. |
| F420.5.3 | Other actions of water-spirits. |
| F420.5.3.1 | Water-spirits sit on beach combing their long hair. Austrian: Mailly Niederöst. 47 No. 101; French: Sébillot France II 340, 346, 411. |
| F420.5.3.2 | Water-spirit calls human midwife. (Cf. F372.1, F451.3.5.5, F451.5.5.) German: Meier I 68 No. 2, Hessler 143. |
| F420.5.3.3 | Water-spirits call human godmother. (Cf. F451.5.6.) German: Künzig Schwarzwald 170, Meier II 69 No. 4. |
| F420.5.3.4 | Water-spirit flees if holy name, ceremony, or blessed object is used. German: Ebermann Donausagen 120 No. 75, Janosch 13; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn (1893) 163ff., (1928) 114ff. |
| F420.5.3.5 | Nix flees from benediction in church. English: Child I 366n. |
| F420.5.3.6 | Water-spirit demands food from those it takes across stream. Jamaica: *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 267 No. 76. |
| F420.5.3.7 | Water-spirits prophesies. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| F420.6 | Marriage of water-spirits. |
| F420.6.1 | Marriage or liaison of mortals and water-spirits. India: *Thompson-Balys, Penzer VII 240. |
| F420.6.1.1 | Water-man woos mortal girl. (Cf. F451.5.18.) England, Wales: Baughman; German: Pfister 53, Lohre 48 No. 80; India: *Thompson-Balys; S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| F420.6.1.2 | Water-spirit offers gift to mortal to win love. German: Pröhle Deutsche Sagen 213 No. 168, Henne-Am Rhyn 119 No. 347; S. A. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 686. |
| F420.6.1.3 | Mortal goes to home of water-spirits and marries. (Cf. F301.3.) German: Schultze 25; Czech: Wiener 118; French: Sébillot France II 409; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F420.6.1.4 | Water-maiden goes to home of mortal and marries. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| F420.6.1.5 | Water-maidens make conditions for lovers. German: Kurs 322; French: Sébillot France II 409; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F420.6.1.6 | Offspring of marriage between mortal and water-spirit. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| F420.6.1.7 | Water-spirit surprises and rapes a mortal woman. A son is born who is sleepless. Krappe Modern Language Review XXIV (1929) 200ff. |
| F420.6.2 | Love and marriage between water-spirits and other spirits. |
| F420.6.2.1 | Water-man marries fairy. German: Schnetzler 266 No. 6, Diezel 1. |
| F420.6.2.2 | Water-maiden marries giant. (Cf. F531.5.7.) German: Förstner Märchenwelt 111. |
| F420.6.2.3 | Water-maiden is wooed by dwarf. (Cf. F451.5.18.) German: Schöppner I 480 No. 467. |
| F420.7 | Miscellaneous motifs connected with water-spirits. |
| F420.7.1 | Visit to water-goddess's underwater home. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F421 | Lake-spirit. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 675; Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 143; N. A. Indian (Iroquois): Alexander N. Am. 28. |
| F421.1 | Lady of the Lake. A female lake-spirit. Krappe Bulletin Hispanique XXXV 112; Hindu: Tawney II 570. |
| F422 | Marsh-spirit. Meyer 104; *Fb "ellefolk"; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn II (1893) 3ff., 120ff., (1928) 5ff., 90ff., MacCulloch Eddic 224—25; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 40 No. 21. |
| F423 | Sea spirits. Norwegian: Solheim Register 17; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 675, 1160; Japanese: Anesaki 266ff.; Papua: Ker 25; Eskimo (Greenland): Holm 37, (Central Eskimo): Boas RBAE VI 621; S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| F423.1 | Nereid. A sea-maiden. English: Child V 490 s.v. "Nereid"; Germanic: Meyer Altgermanische 102; Greek: Fox 260, *Frazer Pausanias III 12; Hindu: Penzer VI 209 n. 1. |
| F424 | River-spirit. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 416; S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| F424.1 | Spirit of brook. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 201. |
| F425 | Fountain spirit. Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 53 No. 443; Japanese: Anesaki 267. |
| F426 | Spirit of water-fall. Icelandic: *Boberg; Germanic: Meyer Altgermanische 103. |
| F429 | Other water-spirits. |
| F429.1 | Spirit of tide-crack. Eskimo (West Hudson Bay): Boas BAM XV 497, (Mackenzie Area): Jenness 60, 510ff. |
| F430 | Weather-spirits. |
| F431 | Cloud-spirit. Meyer Altgermanische 100; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 38 No. 8. |
| F432 | Wind-spirit. German: Laistner I 4, Meyer Altgermanische 97; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 37 No. 6, 38 No. 7; Jewish: Neuman; Chinese: Werner 181; Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 147; N. A. Indian (Yukon): Alexander N. Am. 78. |
| F433 | Storm-spirit. Meyer Altgermanische 99; Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 64 No. 186; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 37 No. 4; Slovenian: *L. Kretzenbacher Germanische Mythen in der epischen Volksdichtung der Slowenen (Graz, 1941) 36-49. |
| F433.1 | Spirit of snow. Meyer Altgermanische 104; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| F434 | Spirit of thunder. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 37 Nos. 1, 2, 3; Chinese: Werner 199f.; Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 61f., (West Hudson Bay): Boas BAM XV 175. |
| F436 | Spirit of cold. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 38 No. 9; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 288 nn. 61, 61a. |
| F437 | Spirit of warmth. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 38 No. 10; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 288 nn. 61, 61a. |
| F438 | Spirit of earthquake. |
| F438.1 | Spirit of earthquake lives underground (below earth). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F438.2 | Spirit of earthquake has very long mouth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F439 | Other weather-spirits. |
| F439.1 | Rainbow spirit. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 135, 152. |
| F439.1.1 | Rainbow draws to itself fisherman and his boat. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 37 No. 5. |
| F439.1.2 | Rainbow spirit as helper on journey. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 515f. |
| F439.1.3 | Rainbow spirit as messenger. Greek: Fox 241 (Iris); Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 521. |
| F440 | Vegetation spirits. *Kittredge Gawain 195ff.; Frazer Golden Bough XII 510 s.v. "Vegetation"; Irish myth: *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F440.1 | Green vegetation spirit. *Kittredge Gawain 195ff.; *Fb "grön" I 504. |
| F441 | Wood-spirit. *Type 667*; *Hdwb. d. Märchen I 198a; *Mannhardt I 87ff., 311ff.—Irish myth: Cross; U.S.: Baughman; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 204f., 226; Swedish: G. Granberg Skogsrеet (Stockholm, 1934); Finnish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 177, 185; Estonian: *Loorits Grundzüge I 521f., 546f., 559ff.; Germanic: Meyer Altgermanische 94; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 40 No. 22; Slavic: Máchal 261ff.; Persian: Carnoy 298; S. A. Indian (Warrau): *Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880, (Tapirapé): Wagley-Baldao ibid. (3) 178, (Pilcomayo, Chaco): Belaieff ibid. (1) 379; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 247, 251. See also F200—F399 (Fairies and Elves), F420 (Water-spirits), F461 (Dwarfs) and F460 (Mountain-spirits) for many common motifs. |
| F441.1 | Schrätel. An elf-like, male, malevolent wood-spirit. *Type 1161 (Schrätel instead of ogre in many versions); *Taylor MPh XVII 305ff.; *Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. XXXIII—XXXIV 33ff. |
| F441.2 | Tree-spirit. Norse: MacCulloch Eddic 207; Finnish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 188; Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas II 203; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 211, II 44, 67, 126, 507, 574, 675, 811, 820, 898, 1014, 1158, Jataka Index s.v. "Spirits"; India: *Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Anesaki 267, 340; S. A. Indian (Caviсa, Tumapasa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 448. |
| F441.2.0.1 | Tree-spirit persuades man to spare tree. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| F441.2.1 | Wood-nymph. Type 480; Roberts 121; Swedish: Hartmann 26, 27; Slavic: Máchal 262ff.; Armenian: Ananikian 84. |
| F441.2.1.1 | Wood-nymph comes to the fire to warm. Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn II (1893) 38ff., (1928) 26ff.; Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 44 No. 56**; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 49 No. 398. |
| F441.2.1.2 | Wood-nymph with breasts so long that she throws them over her shoulder. (Cf. F232.2, F460.1.2, G123.) Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn II (1893) 120ff., (1928) 90ff.; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 321 No. 58. |
| F441.2.1.3 | Wood-nymph wooes and then deserts man. Norse: MacCulloch Eddic 205. |
| F441.2.1.4 | Tree maidens bathe at midnight in lake. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F441.2.2 | Dryad. Female spirit dwelling among trees. Greek: Fox 270; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 564. |
| F441.2.3 | Hamadryad. Female spirit of a particular tree. Greek: Fox 270. |
| F441.2.3.1 | Man marries tree maiden. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F441.2.3.1.1 | Man marries spirit of willow tree. She must part from him when tree is cut down. Japanese: Anesaki 333. |
| F441.2.3.2 | Tree-spirit in elder tree. England: Baughman. |
| F441.3 | Wild man as wood-spirit. *Hdwb. d. Abergl. IX Nachträge 968—980, 984f.; Dickson 114 n. 37; Irish myth: *Cross; Norse: MacCulloch Eddic 280. |
| F441.4 | Form of wood-spirit. |
| F441.4.1 | Wood-spirit gigantic with one eye in center of forehead. Cheremis: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 182. |
| F441.4.2 | Wood-spirit without hands, feet, or mouth. Africa (Kpelle): Westermann Zs. f. Afrikan. ozean., u. ostasiat. Spr. VII 161 No. 29a. |
| F441.4.3 | Forest spirits brighter than moon. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F441.4.4 | Forest-spirits with wings and with backward-pointing fingers and toes. (Cf. F401.9, F451.2.2.1.) Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 14, 46. |
| F441.4.5 | Wood-spirits with such heavy eyebrows they must lie on backs to see upwards. (Cf. F571.1.) S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| F441.4.6 | Wood-spirits with teeth on stomach. S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| F441.5 | Size of wood-spirit. |
| F441.5.1 | Wood-spirit tiny. (Cf. F239.4.3, F535.) S. A. Indian (Pitcomayo-Chaco): Belaieff BBAE CXLIII (1) 379. |
| F441.5.2 | Wood-spirit gigantic. (Cf. F232.6, F531.) S. A. Indian (Pitcomayo-Chaco): Belaieff BBAE CXLIII (1) 379. |
| F441.6 | Deeds of wood-spirits. |
| F441.6.1 | Wood-spirits responsible for sickness and failure. S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| F441.6.2 | Wood-spirits transform men into animals. S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| F441.6.3 | Sexual relations with wood-spirit fatal. S. A. Indian (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| F441.6.4 | Wood-spirit calls after one in woods (Hehmann). **E. Rath Der Hehmann (Wien, 1953). |
| F442 | Pan. Wood-spirit (demigod) part goat and part man. Greek: Fox 267. |
| F442.1 | Mysterious voice announces death of Pan. *Taylor Washington University Studies X (Humanistic Series) 3ff.; *Fb "röst"; *Boberg Sagnet om den Store Pans Død (København 1934); Boberg Noch einmal die Sage vom Tode des Grossen Pan (Ciassica et Mediaevalia III 119—132).—Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 45 No. 50; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3908; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 123 No. 45. |
| F443 | Echo as wood-spirit. |
| F443.1 | Echo as wood-spirit kidnaps and crazes man. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F445 | Field-spirits. Meyer Altgermanische 108, Meyer Germanen 209ff.; Finnish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 246; Slavic: Máchal 267ff.; Africa (Cameroon): Gantenbein 68. |
| F445.1 | Crop-spirits. Wehrhan 75f. |
| F445.1.1 | Tobacco-spirit. S. A. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 684. |
| F447 | Flower-spirits. Japanese: Anesaki 342ff. |
| F450 | Underground spirits. (Cf. F200—F399, Fairies and Elves.) Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 4ff., (1928) 9ff.; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 228ff.; Finnish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 178; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 45ff.; Persian Carnoy 298. |
| F450.0.1 | Voetter (generalized underground spirit). Scandinavian: *Hartmann 30—32. |
| F450.1 | Helpful underground spirit. |
| F450.1.1 | Helpful spirit warriors dwell in rocks and hills. N. A. Indian (Cherokee): Alexander N. Am. 68. |
| F450.1.2 | Underground spirit instructs a smith. (Cf. F451.3.4.2.) Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 126 No. 57. |
| F451 | Dwarf.1 (Underground spirit.) The dwarf, especially in Northern Europe, is considered an underground spirit. He is to be distinguished from the other conception of dwarf, viz., a very small person, pigmy, or thumbling (F535). Types 480, 403B; *Roberts 123; **Lutjens Der Zwerg in der deutschen Heldendichtung des Mittelalters (Breslau, 1911); *Wehrhan 67; *Thien 42; *Gould Scandinavian Studies and Notes IX 190; *De Boor Der Zwerg in Skandinavien (Mogk Festschrift 536); *Ritchie Zwerge in Geschichte u. überlieferung (Globus LXXXII 101); *Tegethoff Schweiz. Archiv f. Vksk. XXIV 147; Jensen Zs. f. Vksk. II 407; *Hdwb. d. Abergl. IX Nachträge 1008—1120. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 264ff., 287; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892, new series 1928); Norwegian: Solheim Register 18; French: F. Wolgemuth Riesen u. Zwerge in der altfranzösischen erzählenden Dichtung (Tübingen, 1906); Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 326; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 356 n. 287a. See also F200—F399 (Fairies and Elves), F420 (Water-spirits), and F460 (Mountain-spirits) for many common motifs. |
| F451.0.1 | Luchrupáin (leprechauns) (as fairies). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| F451.1 | Origin of dwarfs. *Fb "dværg" I 220b; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 264f., Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 3ff., (1928) 7ff. |
| F451.1.1 | Dwarfs originate from maggots in flesh of giant. Norse: De la Saussaye 318. |
| F451.1.1.1 | Dwarfs originate from the blood and bones of giant. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 264. |
| F451.1.2 | Murderer's children become dwarfs. *Fb "dværg" I 220b. |
| F451.1.3 | Dwarfs came after giants had almost died out. German: Haas Grimmen 46 No. 54. |
| F451.1.4 | Dwarfs came into the land 1000 years before mortals came. German: Haas Grimmen 46 No. 54. |
| F451.1.5 | Dwarf as reincarnation. |
| F451.1.5.1 | Dwarf as reincarnation of rat. Korean: Zong in-Sob 64. |
| F451.2 | Appearance of dwarf. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271, *Boberg. |
| F451.2.0.1 | Dwarfs are ugly. German: Haas Greifswald. 38 No. 41. |
| F451.2.0.2 | Dwarfs are grown over with moss. German: Pröhle 113 No. 298. |
| F451.2.0.3 | Dwarfs walk stooped. German: Findeisen 39 No. 43. |
| F451.2.0.4 | Dwarfs appear nodding and anxious to speak. German: Bindewald 84. |
| F451.2.0.5 | During the day dwarfs appear in form of toads or other vermin. German: Haas Greifswald. 36 No. 39, 38 No. 40. |
| F451.2.0.6 | Dwarfs are pale. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| F451.2.1 | Body of dwarf. |
| F451.2.1.1 | Dwarfs are small. (Cf. F239.4.3, F441.5.1.) German: Eckart 20, Bindewald 56, 83f, 87, 188, Findeisen 3 No. 5, 39 No. 43, Pröhle Unterharzische 113 No. 298. |
| F451.2.1.2 | Dwarf with body like tailless hen. Tobler 59. |
| F451.2.1.3 | Dwarf with small body and large head. *Fb "dværg" I 220b; Zs. f. d. Phil. XXVI 12f. |
| F451.2.1.4 | Hunchback dwarf. (Cf. F420.1.4.4.) Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 63 No. 9. |
| F451.2.2 | Feet of dwarf. |
| F451.2.2.1 | Dwarf's feet twisted backward. Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 322 No. 86. |
| F451.2.2.2 | Dwarf with bird feet. (Cf. F401.3.5. and cross-references.) *Gaster Germania XXV 290ff.; Tobler 60; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271. |
| F451.2.2.3 | Dwarfs with goat feet. (Cf. B24, F442.) Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271. |
| F451.2.3 | The beards of dwarfs. |
| F451.2.3.1 | Long-bearded dwarf. (Cf. F451.6.1.) *Type 426; Köhler-Bolte I 545; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "nain"; Missouri French: Carrière. |
| F451.2.3.1.1 | Dwarfs have long beards in three strands. Tegethoff Schweiz. Archiv f. Vksk. XXIV 148. |
| F451.2.3.2 | Dwarfs have gray beards. German: Eckart 22, Kahlo Harzes 55 No. 92, Bindewald 56. |
| F451.2.4 | The hair of dwarfs. |
| F451.2.4.1 | Dwarfs have coarse hair. German: Eckart 20, Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 II. |
| F451.2.4.2 | Dwarfs have silvery white hair. German: Bindewald 56. |
| F451.2.5 | Face of dwarf. |
| F451.2.5.1 | Dwarfs have old face. Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 30 No. 263; German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 II. |
| F451.2.6 | Other bodily characteristics of dwarfs. |
| F451.2.7 | Dress of dwarf. |
| F451.2.7.1 | Dwarfs with red heads and red caps. (Cf. F236.3.2, F460.1.4.2.) Fb "rød" III 116b, "rød dreng" III 117b; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 30 No. 263. |
| F451.2.7.2 | Dwarf clad in green. (Cf. F420.1.6.6.3.) English: Wells 134 (Sir Degare); Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn I (1892) 6ff., (1928) 11ff. |
| F451.2.7.3 | Dwarfs referred to as "gray", not specifying whether as to dress or hair. (Cf. F236.1.4, F420.1.6.6.2.) Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271; German: Schöppner I 169 No. 163, I 354 No. 351, Bindewald 83, 84, 188. |
| F451.2.7.4 | Dwarfs clad in white. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 266; German: Kahlo Harzes 69 No. 109. |
| F451.2.7.5 | Dwarfs wear red coats. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 272, *Boberg; German: Kapff 45, Schöppner I 354 No. 351. |
| F451.2.7.6 | Dwarfs wear peculiar caps. (Cf. F451.2.7.1.) German: Kapff 45. |
| F451.2.7.7 | Dwarf king wears costly crown. German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 II. |
| F451.2.7.8 | Dwarf clad in brown. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 266. |
| F451.2.7.9 | Dwarf clad in black. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 266, 268. |
| F451.2.7.10 | Dwarfs clad in motley. German: Grimm No. 163. |
| F451.2.8 | Voice of dwarfs (echo). Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 269, *Boberg. |
| F451.3 | Characteristics of dwarfs. |
| F451.3.1 | Power of dwarf in his belt. *Fb "bælte" IV 84a. |
| F451.3.2 | Dwarf rendered powerless. |
| F451.3.2.1 | Dwarfs turn to stone at sunrise. Hdwb. d. Märchens I 433a nn. 86—91; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 10, 197, 269, 270. |
| F451.3.2.1.1 | Dwarf prevented from getting into his stone before sunrise till he promises to do what hero demands (especially forge weapons). (Cf. D451.3.4.2, D451.4.1.12, F451.5.2.13.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| F451.3.2.1.2 | Dwarf otherwise caught and thus forced to procure what hero demands. Icelandic: Völsunga saga ch. 14, Þiðriks saga I 34—38, Boberg. |
| F451.3.2.2 | Dwarfs must return to spirit world by 1 a.m. German: Eckart 69, Winckler 56 No. 57. |
| F451.3.2.3 | Dwarfs cannot harm mortal with circle drawn around him. German: Eckart 69. |
| F451.3.2.4 | Dwarf can be killed only with snowball. Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 248. |
| F451.3.3 | Dwarf as magician. Dickson 219 n. 8; Icelandic: *Boberg; German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 137 II. |
| F451.3.3.0.1 | Dwarf can take what shape he wants. Icelandic: Völsunga saga ch. 14 (Andvari), Zs. f. d. Phil. XXVI 12—13, Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 307ff., Boberg. |
| F451.3.3.1 | Dwarfs turn peas into gold pieces. German: Karstens-Goslar 102. |
| F451.3.3.2 | Dwarf turns gold into lead. German: Förstner Kyffhäusersagen 22. |
| F451.3.3.3 | Dwarfs transform people (animals). German: Ey 9, Kahlo Harzes 30 No. 51. |
| F451.3.3.4 | Dwarfs free mortals from enchantment. German: Bindewald 56, 142, Findeisen 39 No. 43. |
| F451.3.3.5 | Dwarfs bewitch cows to give no milk. German: Karstens-Goslar 103. |
| F451.3.3.5.1 | Dwarfs bewitch people. Icelandic: Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 300, *Boberg. |
| F451.3.3.6 | Dwarfs fly through air. German: Pröhle Unterharzische 171 No. 453. |
| F451.3.3.7 | Dwarfs predict. Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; German: Pröhle Harzsagen No. 155, Bindewald 188. |
| F451.3.3.8 | Dwarfs made invisible by magic caps. (Cf. F451.5.1.7., F455.5.3.) Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 269; German: Eckart 7, 27, 79, Pröhle Harzsagen Nos. 220, 220 I, 229, Sieber 62, Pröhle Unterharz. 145 No. 368. |
| F451.3.4 | Dwarfs as workmen. Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 54 Nos. 52, 53. |
| F451.3.4.0.1 | Dwarf workmen heard at night. Dutch: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 55 No. 61. |
| F451.3.4.1 | Dwarfs as artificers. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 123, 265ff., *Boberg. |
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