The Mythology and Folklore Database
A2A1 - The moon shone like the sun.
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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
At first, the moon was as bright and hot as the sun.Berezkin category: The Sun and Moon
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part group 1, Sun and Moon
A2 has 12 other sub-motifsA2. There was a time when several, i.e. more than two, suns shone in the sky at the same time. A2a. The world was or will be (almost) burned when several suns lit up or will light up simultaneously; or destructive heat (or light) once emanated from one sun. A2a1. At first, the moon was as bright and hot as the sun. A2b. In addition to the current sun and/or moon, other suns and moons shone in the sky, which were then destroyed. See motif A2A. A2b1. Two or more suns shine in the sky. When the extra ones are destroyed, there is a danger that the last one will be destroyed along with them and darkness will ensue. A2c. The extra suns that existed in the past or may appear in the future are the children of the Sun-father. See motif A2A. A2c1. The Sun is going to have children. One of the animals warns that if the Sun has children, the world will burn. The Sun has to (refuse marriage and) remain childless. A2c2. The catastrophe threatening the earth is associated with the appearance of not only several suns, but also several moons. A2c3. In extraordinary circumstances, the moon or sun are not round, but have corners and edges. A2d. Other suns illuminate other levels of the universe or will shine sequentially in the future. A2e. The sun and/or moon – severed heads of anthropomorphic beings. A2F. Suns grow on tree branches. A2G. At different times throughout the day, different suns shine in the sky. Click here if would you like to see a distrbution map combining all of A2's motifs? |
Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns
| Motif | Similarity | Motif Summary |
|---|---|---|
| A2A | 94.59% | The world was or will be (almost) burned when several suns lit up or will light up simultaneously; or destructive heat (or light) once emanated from one sun. |
| B43 | 94.58% | Elements of the landscape or parts of the universe are created from the body of the original being. |
| J47B | 93.93% | When a character runs away from a pursuer, a strong rope (chain, etc.) is lowered (thrown) to him. A rotten rope is lowered to the pursuer, it breaks, and the pursuer crashes (drowns). |
| C8 | 93.85% | At the beginning of time or as a result of a catastrophe, the only human couple is a brother and sister (less often a mother and son, father and daughters). They marry and give birth to people. |
| M30D | 93.10% | To get into the air, a character without wings (usually a turtle or a frog) grabs a stick with the ends held in their beaks by two birds. |
| K56D1 | 92.86% | A pumpkin or watermelon (grown from gifted seeds) given to a person turns out to contain treasures. |
| I74 | 92.62% | Stars – (bright) stones, sequins, beads. |
| B3D | 92.23% | The earth is obtained by a worm; it arises from worm excrement, extracted from the worm. |
| M29O1 | 92.21% | As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the monkey dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. |
| B116B | 91.94% | A book containing sacred knowledge falls into the water at a crossing or gets wet in some other way. After that, the book disappears or the text becomes unreadable. Either the book is ruined (damaged) when it is dried. Or it is ruined while left unattended on the shore while the people who kept it are swimming; or it burns, although traces remain. |
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Map of Motif Dispersal
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This motif has been recorded in 28 traditions: Berbers of southern Tunisia and adjacent part of Libya (Matmata and Ghadames areas), Yao, Makua, Melanesians and Papuans of Central Solomons: Vella la Vella (Bilua language), Shortland islands (Mono language), San Cristobal, Saint Georgia, Eddystone, Vangunu, Southern Solomons: southern part of Santa Ysabel (Bughotu), Guadalcanal, San Cristobal, Malaita, Ulawa, Alor, Solor, Wetar, Atauru, Dusun, Murut, Kelabit, Tombonuwo, Bajau, Tidong, Southern Taiwan: Rukai, Paiwan, Puyuma, Saaroa, Ketangalan, Central Taiwan: Bunun (Vonum), La'arua, Tsou, Kanabu, Kanakanabu, Northern Taiwan: Atayal (Tayal; Taruko (Toda, Taokas, Torok, Taroko), Pazeh, Sedeq (Sediq, Seedeq, Sazek), Saisiyat (Saixia), Karen, Pa-O, Padaung, Kayah, Thai of Vietnam, Tai Lue, Khao (Kho, Tai Don, White Tai), Tai Dam (Black Tai), Nung; Zhuang, Buyi; Shui, Stieng, Chrau, Sre (Koho), Maa, Mnong, Wa (incl Kawa), Bulang, Eastern Arunachal Pradesh: Abor (incl Minyong, Shimong, Padam, Pasi, Panggi), Apa Tani (Apatani), Bori, Bugun, Dafla (=Nyishi, Nisi, Nishing, incl Tagin), Gallong (=Galo, Adi), Mishmi, Northern Naga: Konyak, Lungshang, Wancho, Nokte, Moclum, Lunshan, Chang, Maring, Naga of Myanmar, Rawang, Dulong; Anong, Drung, Bhils (incl Barela-Bhilala), Miao (Hmong) and Yao of Southern China, Lepcha, Byelarusians, Belarusians, Tabasaran, Aghul, Bashkirs, Udeghe, Yupa (Yukpa), Sicuani, Cuiva, Ese’ejja, Russian Federation