The Mythology and Folklore Database
A32C1 - Predatory beast on the moon.




43 Myths, Legends and Folktales
42 Unique Narratives for Motif A32C1
21 Cultures & Traditions where A32C1 is told
62 Mythemes Indexed
19 Sub-Motifs of Motif A32C1


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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

The figure or imprint of a predatory mammal (fox, wolf, dog, coyote, jaguar, lion) is visible on the lunar disc. Either this animal is associated with the moon, belongs to it. See motif A34.

Berezkin category: The Sun and Moon

This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part group 2, Moon spots, stars, constellations


A32 has 19 other sub-motifs


A32.  A figure or imprint of some creature or object is visible on the lunar disc. Statistical calculations also include motifs A32A – A32J (a rabbit, frog, predatory animal, human, tree, etc. are visible on the moon).
A32a.  The figure or imprint of a rabbit or hare is visible on the lunar disc.
A32b.  The figure or imprint of a toad or frog is visible on the lunar disc; the moon is associated with this animal.
A32b1.  A woman sits (jumps) on the face (back) of the Moon Man and is now visible in the silhouette of the moon spots.
A32c.  The figures of a man and a dog are visible (or should have been visible) on the lunar disc.
A32c1.  The figure or imprint of a predatory mammal (fox, wolf, dog, coyote, jaguar, lion) is visible on the lunar disc. Either this animal is associated with the moon, belongs to it. See motif A34.
A32d.  The figure or imprint of an anthropomorphic creature is visible on the lunar disc.
A32d1.  Cain and Abel are associated with the moon, usually distinguishable (both or only Cain) in the silhouette of lunar spots.
A32d2.  A man with a pitchfork in his hands can be seen in the silhouette of the moon's spots.
A32dd.  The lunar disc shows the figure or imprint of an anthropomorphic character carrying a bundle of wood or brushwood.
A32de.  A headless man is visible on the lunar disc.
A32e.  On the lunar (rarely: solar) disc, a character holding an object or animal is visible. See motif A32D.
A32f.  On the lunar disc, a character is visible who has gone to fetch water and/or is holding a vessel for liquid in his hands. See motif A32D.
A32g.  On the lunar disc, a character can be seen holding onto a tree or bush and ending up on the moon with them. See motif A32D.
A32h.  A tree, bush, branch, snag, etc. are visible on the lunar disc. See motif A32G.
A32i.  A shepherd (shepherd and girl, shepherd and his flock, dogs) can be seen on the lunar disc.
A32j.  A shaman with a tambourine ascends to the moon and remains there, visible in the silhouette of the lunar spots.
A32k.  A character, discernible in the silhouette of the moon's spots, first headed for the sun and only then reached the moon, or the Sun and the Moon argued over who he should belong to.
A32l.  The silhouette of a certain character is visible on the solar disc. Or it is said that the character fell into the sun and remained there.
A32m.  The moon is called the "Gypsy sun".

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Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns

MotifSimilarityMotif Summary
D4E99.27%The thief or giver of fire, light or sun is a coyote or fox (indicated in square brackets). See motif 4A.
B28D98.93%Not understanding who they are dealing with, the characters respond to the wandering Transformer that they are preparing weapons to kill so-and-so or a hiding place to escape from so-and-so. The Transformer kills them himself or turns them into animals.
M7198.72%A character (usually carried away by a river or fallen from a height) turns into a piece of wood. Someone is picking it up. The character then takes on his true form, usually in the absence of the hosts.
H20A98.53%A woman or several women keep fish or water in some kind of container; a man releases all the fish into rivers or the sea, releases the water. See motif H20.
A42A98.46%Having risen into the sky, the character unsuccessfully performs the role of the sun and as a result falls or is thrown down to earth.
H24E98.46%Having brought the seeds of humanity into our world, the character drops or prematurely opens what he has brought. (Sometimes this explains the inequality of people and disorder in society).
F6098.38%A girl or woman falls ill. A character comes to heal her. The treatment consists of him copulating with her or attempting to do so.
J5398.26%The children of a character associated with a hoofed animal (deer, antelope) come into conflict with an enemy associated with a predator or a larger hoofed animal. They kill his children and/or run away from him. See motif J52.
B1G98.11%Four brothers change the world, freeing it from monsters, transforming its inhabitants and obtaining valuable resources (water, fire, cultivated plants, etc.). Usually one of the brothers is the leader, and the others help him. All four often have a common name.
J53A198.11%The children of the murdered man kill the murderer's children, luring them to a place where they perish from heat or smoke.

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Map of Motif Dispersal

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This motif has been recorded in 21 traditions: Akkad, Assyria, Babylonia, Greeks (modern), Balkarians, Serbs, Monte Negro, Balkarians, Karachays, Balkar, Bashkirs, Thompson (Nlaka'pamux), Hupa, Chilula, Pomo, Chemehuevi, Cahuilla, Cupeño, Luiseño, Juaneño, Diegueño: Ipai, Tipai, Kamia (Kumeai), Cocopa, Paipai, Yuma proper (Quechan), Mohave, Maricopa, Seri, Pima, Huichol, Tequistlatec, Yuracare, Bolivian Guarani: Chiriguano (including assimilated Chane Arawaks), Pauserna (=Guarasu), Guarayu, Tapiete


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