The Mythology and Folklore Database
K107A2 - Shepherdess instead of princess.




8 Myths, Legends and Folktales
8 Unique Narratives for Motif K107A2
6 Cultures & Traditions where K107A2 is told
42 Mythemes Indexed
9 Sub-Motifs of Motif K107A2


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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 nobleman (king) is forced to promise his daughter or son to a demon (monster, predatory beast). He tries to replace her or him with other girls or boys, but this does not work.

Berezkin category: Adventures: Acts of heroes

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


K10 has 9 other sub-motifs


K10.  A monstrous bird (bat) attacks people, heroes engage in battle with it. See motifs K10A – K10G.
K10a.  Heroes kill a dangerous bird; during or before the battle, they hide in a shelter (hut, cage, vessel, sack, well) or cover themselves with an object that protects the body.
K10b.  A huge bird carries away to its nest a cage, bag or other container in which people are located. See motif 10A.
K10c.  The hero (twins) is weighed down with the blood-filled intestines of an animal. A bird pierces them with its claw, blood flows, the bird thinks its prey is dead, and brings the man to its nest. He kills the adult bird and either kills or transforms the chicks. Cf. motif M91A.
K10d.  A flying monster carries the hero away to a distant island. The hero kills the monster and uses a boat, bridge or rope made from part of the monster's body to return.
K10e.  In the bird's habitat, the hero finds the people it has kidnapped and helps them return home.
K10f.  The character turns the children of a flying monster into ordinary eagles or owls.
K10g.  Finding himself in the nest of a giant bird on a tree or rock, a man descends to the ground with the help of an adult bird (attaching its feathers or wings to himself), and more often - a chick (grabbing its legs, sitting on the chick, attaching its feathers or wings).
K10h.  A bird carries a woman or boy to its nest, feeds them, but does not let them go. The captive runs away.
K10i.  The tree opens its trunk and hides the hero fleeing from a man-eating bird. The monster that flies in after him is held tightly by the tree, which squeezes its trunk again.

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Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns

MotifSimilarityMotif Summary
L72E1100.00%In order to destroy the obstacles created by the hero, the pursuer uses tools. Before continuing the chase, he is forced to spend time taking them home or hiding them, otherwise animals and birds will steal them.
N3899.97%The character asks others which key is better - lost and found or new. This refers to a forgotten and newfound marriage partner (less often a direct question is asked about this).
J51A99.89%To climb a rock or tower, one must stick bones into it and climb them like a ladder.
I13899.89%The glass mountain (tower, bridge) is mentioned as an unusual (inaccessible) locus.
H7G99.87%A person sees many burning candles or lamps. When one of them burns out, someone dies.
L4B99.85%The character learns about the violation of the prohibition to enter a certain room, as evidence of this has been preserved on the body of the heroine (hero) or on an object in her (his) hands (often blood on a key or an apple).
K131A99.80%Several animals (often a lion, a falcon, an ant) argue (usually over prey or habitat). The hero resolves their dispute, and they grant him the ability to take on their form (to possess their qualities).
B11799.79%A document issued to animals (usually dogs) is lost through the fault of a cat (swallowed by a cat, burned, gnawed by mice). Since then, dogs and cats (usually also cats and mice) have been at enmity.
K32J99.78%Upon learning from a young man that he has a beautiful sister, the ruler wants to marry her. The bride is replaced by an ugly woman. Usually, the ruler accuses her brother of deception and throws him into prison. The deception is revealed.
B42Q99.76%Ursa Major – chariot, cart.

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Map of Motif Dispersal

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This motif has been recorded in 6 traditions: Ireland, England, British, Bretons, Scotland, Scots, Picts, Scotti, Scottish, Latvians, Norwegians, Icelanders


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