The Mythology and Folklore Database
J21 - Birth from eggs.




130 Myths, Legends and Folktales
127 Unique Narratives for Motif J21
45 Cultures & Traditions where J21 is told
218 Mythemes Indexed
0 Sub-Motifs of Motif J21


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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

Gods, ancestors of humans, and founders of dynasties are born from eggs.

Berezkin category: Avenger heroes: The amerinday cycle

This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part group 5, Origin of human beings, ethnic groups, etiology of human anatomy, strange body configuration, ways of behavior, marriages before the establishment of the present norms



Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns

MotifSimilarityMotif Summary
C797.86%Initially or after the flood, an earthen or stone barrier, the body of a character or creature prevents the flow of water. Later, this barrier is removed or destroyed.
G12A95.09%Cultivated plants arise from drops of blood or flow like blood from cuts on the body of a human or animal.
I8G95.01%A single giant holds up the earth or the sky.
I20C94.10%Dwarves live in an underground world that partly resembles the earthly world. If dwarves and humans meet, it happens underground.
B2E94.00%The Earth or the world as a whole is a male character (alone or alongside a female character).
I8E193.13%The sky or earth is supported by four objects or beings located at the four cardinal points (either four groups of beings, or four at the corners and a fifth in the centre). Th A841. See motifs 8A, 8D.
I85C192.98%In the sky there is a vessel, a box or an indescribable container for storing rain (rain clouds).
F2392.88%Blood spilled during sexual intercourse or artificial defloration at the time of creation is the reason why menstruation occurs to this day.
I792.77%The reptile produces rain and thunderstorms.
A32A92.35%The figure or imprint of a rabbit or hare is visible on the lunar disc.

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Map of Motif Dispersal

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This motif has been recorded in 45 traditions: Fang (Pangwe), Eton, Bafia, Batanga, Benga, Bube (Bubi), Buheba, Yaunde (Ewondo), Yebekolo, Koko, Bulu, Beti (Beti-Bulu), Sekiani, Eghap, Mandingo (Manden, incl San, Samo), Kagoro, Bambara (Bamana), Malinke, Kassonke, Diula, Northern Gur (Oti-Volta): Mamprussi, Dagomba, Dagari (Dagara; incl Lodaga), Bassari, Mosi, Nankanse, Konkomba, Moba; Ditammari, Nyende, Bulsa (pl Builsa, Bulo), Melanesians of Admiralty Islands (incl Manus); Seimat (Western Islands), Fataluku, Mindanao and Sulu: Blaan (Bilaan), Bagobo, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Hiligáynon, Binukid, Magindaan (=Magindanao: main Muslim population), Mandaya, Mansaka, Manobo (Agusan, Ata, Dibabawon, Sarangani, Ilianen), Maranao, Samal, Subanon (=Subanun), Subanen, Tboli, Karen, Pa-O, Padaung, Kayah, Shan, Ahom, Khampti, Palaung (De Ang, Deang), Northern Munda of Kharwar branch: Birhor, Ho, Mundari, Kol, Asur (including Agaria, Kol, Birjhia), Bhumij, Chin-Naga: Ao, Mao, Sema, Zeme, Kolren, Kom, Lhota, Rengma, Angami, Kabui, Tangkhul, Koirenf, Garo (Atchik), Kachari (Bodo, incl. Lalung), Dimasa, Tripuri, Riang (of Tripura), Khami, Riga, Mori, Mikir (Karbi), Miao (Hmong) and Yao of Southern China, Koreans, Western Sami, Bashkirs, Mari (Cheremis), Mordvins, Komi (Zyrians and Permyaks), Central Yakuts (Sakha), Southern and Central; Ryukyu Islands: Yaeyama, Miyako, Okinawa, Lower Chinook (Chinook proper), Yana, Chemehuevi, Cahuilla, Cupeño, Luiseño, Juaneño, Western Mexico Nahuatl, Nahuan groups of Puebla and Huasteca after AD1900, Chontal, Tequistlatec, Sicuani, Trio, Wayana, Aparai, Kofan, Shuar, Achuar (Shiwiar), Aguaruna, Huambiza, Karijona, Barasana, Taibano, Macuna, Letuama, Tanimuca, Ufaina, Yahuna, Witoto, Ocaina, Chacobo, Rikbaktsa, Caduveo, Mbaya, Papua-New Guinea Southern Lowland Papuan groups (Trans New Guinea and unclassified): Gimi, Kiwai, Bina, Mawabula, Mawatta, Keraki, Gambadi (incl. Kwavaru), Purari River delta, Masingara, Wiram (=Suki), Ngain, Daga, Elema


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