Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
L84 — Unsuitable axes.
Source data for narratives and traditions is drawn from Berezkin’s Analytical Catalogue. If you use this data, please acknowledge and link to it: Ю.Е. Березкин, Е.Н. Дувакин. Тематическая классификация и распределение фольклорно-мифологических мотивов по ареалам. Аналитический каталог.
Summary of motif
OverviewThe character attempts to chop down a tree with an axe made of obviously unsuitable material. Cf. motif K27g5.
Berezkin category: Adventures: Monsters and evil spirits
This is of motif type Adventures and tricks and is part of group 10, Adventures.
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| I37G | 97.09% | A tree mushroom is a step, a platform; an object that helps or hinders movement; provides shelter or refuge. See motif I37. |
| F34 | 94.47% | A woman takes a large land animal as her lover. Her husband, brother or (adopted) children kill or maim the lover and (sometimes) the woman herself. Sometimes there is mention of a group of women and their husbands. (Unlike motif K102, "The Demon's Mistress," the lover is not dangerous to the hero and plays a passive role, and the woman, if she becomes hostile and dangerous, does so only after the lover's death. Unlike motif K76, the woman and her husband/lover of non-human nature are clearly evaluated negatively). |
| I70 | 94.15% | Trees or reeds grow on the back or head of a reptile. |
| L89 | 93.99% | One person, wishing to harm another, secretly gives him certain food to eat or a certain object to use. As a result, the other person dies (usually undergoing a metamorphosis). Cf. motif K82a. |
| M73A | 93.85% | Two (animal) persons compare their feces (with different purpose). One of them gets to exchange them |
| K19A | 91.20% | A man marries a star woman. |
| M29L | 91.09% | See the motives in square brackets. |
| M5 | 90.79% | Once in a situation where his life depends on the will of a demon or animal, the hero feels like insulting or hitting him. See M1 motif. |
| K27I | 90.78% | Task: to drain a large body of water. |
| E5D | 90.00% | The first people to arrive on earth and settle within a limited space are threatened by a predator or monster. |
See the 100 most similar distributions →
Map of motif dispersal
DistributionDrag the map to pan, use the scroll wheel to zoom — choose a texture or projection below
Cite this map
Distribution of the traditions attesting motif L84, ‘Unsuitable axes.’, as recorded in the Berezkin–Duvakin Analytical Catalogue of Folklore Motifs (16 traditions mapped). Geolocation and cartography by Jonathan Fielder-White, Folklore Database, release 1.26206.1 (25 July 2026), https://www.folkloredatabase.com/motif/L84 (accessed 8 August 2026). Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Traditions
16 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 16 traditions: Geez, Tigrai, Tigre, Ainu, Menominee, Osage, Iowa, Pawnee, Sicuani, Warao, Waiwai, Trio, Colorado (Tsachila), Napo (Quijo), Kanelo (“Jungle Kechua”), Shuar, Achuar (Shiwiar), Amahuaca, Cashinahua, Sharanahua, Yaminahua, Yawanahua, Capanahua), Rikbaktsa, Caraja
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0009-0006-1672-4451
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