The Mythology and Folklore Database
J8 - Feathers at the crossroads.




23 Myths, Legends and Folktales
12 Unique Narratives for Motif J8
16 Cultures & Traditions where J8 is told
42 Mythemes Indexed
0 Sub-Motifs of Motif J8


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 Motif Summary  -   Motifs with Simlar Dispersals  -    Map of Myth Distribution   -   List of Traditions  -   Myths



Source Data from Berezkin's Analytics Catalogue, if using this data please acknowledge and link to it here:
Ю.Е. Березкин, Е.Н. Дувакин. Тематическая классификация и распределение фольклорно-мифологических мотивов по ареалам. Аналитический каталог.



Summary of Motif

A woman or girl sets out in search of a husband (fiancé, etc.). Bird feathers left on the trail, at a crossroads or near a dwelling mark the right or wrong path. See motif J7.

Berezkin category: Avenger heroes: The amerinday cycle

This is of motif type Adventures and tricks and is part group 10, Adventures



Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns

MotifSimilarityMotif Summary
K699.11%A vine or rope emerges from tears, snot, urine, saliva, and chewed substance. See motif K1A.
C1398.69%During or before the onset of a global catastrophe (flood, darkness) or (surui) at night, household items and/or stones, trees, domestic animals, and cultivated plants turn into wild birds and animals or come to life.
I5498.30%Inside a snake or other aquatic creature are aquatic animals or live fish; an aquatic monster gives birth to fish, is the master of fish; turns into many fish.
L1197.98%Everyday objects take the form of fish, invertebrates, reptiles, dangerous predators, or objects that transform into these animals under special circumstances.
F1997.44%After copulating with a frog, a man's penis is crippled (unless otherwise stated: it becomes long, see motif F18A).
M9A97.44%A character who eagerly sucks honey from a hollow and/or gets stuck in a hollow turns into a tree frog. See M9 motif.
F3797.41%To summon her lover, the character taps on a calabash placed on the water.
B5697.34%The crocodile/caiman is left without a tongue after swallowing or losing the fire (which it previously possessed); something associated with heavenly fire (lightning, sunbeams, etc.) emerges from the crocodile's severed tongue.
K13B97.27%A man crosses a body of water on the back of a caiman. The caiman bites off his leg. The cripple undergoes a metamorphosis, turning into a constellation or an animal.
M297.27%The hero descends from a tree or rock on the back of an animal or on the backs of animals.

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Map of Motif Dispersal

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This motif has been recorded in 16 traditions: Thompson (Nlaka'pamux), Lower Chehalis, Upper Chehalis, (Lower) Cowlitz, Quinault, Sicuani, Yanomamo (Yanoama): Yanomam, Yanomami, Napo (Quijo), Kanelo (“Jungle Kechua”), Shuar, Achuar (Shiwiar), Aguaruna, Huambiza, Barasana, Taibano, Macuna, Desana, Siriano; Tatuyo, Bara, Tuyuca, Tariana, Yagua, Tupinamba, Suruí, Gaviâo, Zoro, Arua, Cinta Larga, Paresi, Caraja


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