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Aarne–Thompson–Uther index

About this index and how to read it

The ATU index classifies international folktales by type. Each row gives the type number, its title and summary, followed by the references it inherits: Arne Thompson is the earlier Aarne–Thompson type number, and Thompson lists the motif references from Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature associated with that type.

Cross-references inside a summary open the relevant tale-type or motif record. Thompson motif references in the final column are linked directly to the corresponding entry in the Stith Thompson Motif Index when that reference exists in the database. Any column heading can be clicked to sort by it, and clicking again reverses the order. Following a type number opens that type on its own page.

Tales of Magic 300–559

111 tale types

Sorted by summary, ascending

Showing 51–100 of 111 · Page 2 of 3

ATU Title Summary ▲ Arne Thompson Thompson
466 A Journey to the Other World No examples in the Database yet
476 Midwife (or Godparent, or Nurse) for the Elves No examples in the Database yet , 476*, 476** , B81.6., D475.1., F372.1.
500 Rumpelstiltskin No examples in the Database yet , 500 C432.1., D2183., H1021.8., H521., H914., N475., S222.1.
515 The Shepherd No examples in the Database yet
518 Big Fight over Magic Things No examples in the Database yet , 518 D1361.12., D1520.19., D1521.1., D832.
540 The Dog in the Sea No examples in the Database yet
485 Borma Jarizhka On instructions of the tsar the hero sets off to Babylon to get the crown. He steals the crown and burns the snakes which were sent after him. He comes to a one-eyed giant, blinds him, and escapes from the cave under the belly of the giant (Cf. Type…
531 Faithful Ferdinand On the advice of a jealous courtier the king assigns the hero difficult tasks, which he performs with the help of grateful animals. Bringing the beautiful bride for the king. I. The Hero's Horse and Magic Object. (a) The hero at his christening is… , 513C, 531 B211.1.3., B313., B341., B350., B401., E15.1., H1213.1., H1381.2.2.1., H911., J2411.1., K1934., NA
533 Repressed Bride On the journey to her wedding the princess is forced by her waiting-maid to change clothes and places with her. The princess's horse is killed, but through the speaking horsehead which hangs on the wall, the betrayal is revealed. Cf. Types 403, 450.… , 533 B133.3., B335., H13.2.7., K1816.5., K1911.1.1., K1933., K1934., K2252.
461 Three Hairs of the Devil Prophecy, Urias letter, and resultant marriage; cf. Type 930. I. Introduction. Prophecy that a youth is to become the king's son-in-law. Vain attempts to prevent the marriage. II. Quest for Devil's Hairs. (a) The hero is sent on a quest to hell to… , 461 A1111., G530.1., H1273.2., H1291., P413.1.1., Q521.5.
550 The Golden Bird Quest for the wonderful bird. With the help of an animal (wolf fox) the youngest brother succeeds. On his return he saves his brothers, who betray him. See analysis below: I a, b; II; III a, b; IV; V. ANALYSIS Types 550 and 551. I. Object of the… , 550 B184.1., B313., B435.1., B560., H1242., H1331.1., K1932., L13., L161., N711.3., W154.12.3.
310 Rapunzel Rapunzel. The hair ladder for the witch. The prince is blinded. I. Promise of Child. To appease a witch whom he has offended, a man promises her his child when it is born. II. The Hair Ladder. (a) The girl is imprisoned in a windowless tower which… , 310 D642.7.7., F555., F848.1.1., G204., G279.2.2., N455., R41.2.2., S221.1.1.
311 Rescue by the Sister Rescue by the Sister, who deceives the ogre into carrying the girls in a sack (chest) back to their home. Cf. Types 312, 1132.
  • I. The Forbidden Chamber. (a) Two sisters, one after the other, fall into an ogre's power, and are taken into a subterranean castle. (b) They are forbidden entrance into one room or (b1) to see souls in torment or (b2) to eat a human bone. (c) They disobey and an egg or key becomes bloody.
  • II. Punishment. The ogre kills them for disobedience.
  • III. Rescue by youngest sister. (a) The youngest sister finds the bodies and (b) resuscitates them by putting their members together or (c) otherwise, and hides them.
  • VI. Carrying the Sacks. (a) The girls are put into sacks and the ogre is persuaded to carry the sacks home without looking into them.
  • V. Disguise as Bird (a) The youngest sister leaves a skull dressed as a bride to deceive the ogre. (b) She smears herself with honey and feathers and escapes as a strange bird.
  • VI. Punishment of the Murderer. Rescue by the Sister, who deceives the ogre into carrying the girls in a sack (chest) back to their home.
    • Cf. Types 312, 1132.    		 , 311 C611., C913., G561., K525., R11.1.1., R157.1.1.
    403 The White and the Black Bride Strawberries under the snow, etc. The real daughter bride of the king. A child born. The stepmother throws the child into the water, etc. , 403 D1454.2., D161.2., D1860., D1870., H1023.3., K1911., M431.2., Q261., S31., S432.
    450 Brother and Sister The boy is turned into a roe by the cruel stepmother. Lives with his sister in the forest. The king marries the sister. Her stepmother usurps her place as wife. Disclosure, punishment, and reunion. Cf. Types 403, 480, 533. I. Cruel Stepmother. A… , 450 D114.1.1., D150., D555., D688., H13., K1911.1.2., N711.1., P253.2., S31.
    363 The Vampire The bridegroom eats corpses in three churches [E251.3.1, G20]. He appears to his bride in the form of her father, her mother, etc. [D40, D610] and when she tells about his habit he devours her. 363 G20.
    312 The Bluebeard The brother rescues his sisters. See analysis of Type 311 (I a, b, c; II; III a) for introduction.The youngest sister threatened with death for disobedience asks respite for prayer. Her brother with the aid of animals kills the ogre (cf. Type 300)… , 312, 312D C611., C920., F611.1.1., G551.1.1., K555., T511.3.3.
    315 The Treacherous Sister The children promised to the water-spirit. The maiden wife of the water-spirit (devil). At his advice she feigns sickness and sends her brother for a remedy (or the like) [K2212.0.2]. Imprisoned animals break loose and save the boy. See analysis… , 315, 315A B524.1.1.1.1., F615., G346., K2212.0.2.0.2., L161., R111.1.1., R251.
    470 Friends in Life and Death The deceased friend followed into the other world. Cf. Type 471. I. The Visit to the Other World. (a) Two friends pledge themselves never to part. One of them dies. (b) The living friend invites the dead to visit him on Christmas and goes with him… , 470, 470*, 470A C13., D2011., E238., F116., F171.1., F171.2., M253.
    300 The Dragon-Slayer The Dragon-Slayer. Rescue of the princess. I. The Hero and his Dogs, II; The Sacrifice, III. The Dragon, IV. The Fight, V. The Tongues, VI. Impostor, VII. Recognition. , 300 B11.10.10., B11.11.11., B11.2.3.1.2.3.1., B312.2.2., D1975., D1978.2.2., H105.1.1., H151.2.2., H83., K1932., T68.1.1.
    325 The Magician and his Apprentice, The father put to a test recognizes his son. The son as horse, ring, etc. rescues himself from the power of his master. I. Learning Magic. (a) A father gives his son to a magician to teach, (b) but must be able to recognize him in his animal form at… , 325, 325* D1711.0.1.0.1., H161., L142.2.2.
    555 The Fisherman and his Wife, The fish fulfills all the wishes of the wife of a poor fisher. I. The Wishes Obtained. (a) A poor fisher catches a fish who is a transformed monster and puts him back in the water; in gratitude the fish grants all the wishes of the wife; - or (b) a… , 555 B170., B375.1., C773.1., D1761.0.1., J514., Q338.
    426 Snow White and Rose Red The girls let the bear into the hut. They rescue an ungrateful dwarf from death. The bear kills the dwarf. The bear changes into a prince who has been enchanted by the dwarf. , 426 D763., F451.5.2.1.
    519 Brunhilde The helper in the suitor test. Cf. Type 513A. I. The Suitor. A prince with his extraordinary companion woos a bride who is beautiful, strong, and warlike, and who will have as husband no man who is not her equal in strength. II. Suitor Tests. (a) The… , 519 D1500.1.18., H345., H345.1., H345.2., K1844.1., Q451.2., R169.4., T173.1., T58.
    532 The Speaking Horsehead The helpful horse. The hero is driven from home by his stepmother [S31]. He acquires a helpful horse which advises him [B401] to dress in poor clothing [K1816] and to answer all questions with "I don't know" [C495.1]. He takes service as gardener to… 532* B411.2.
    459 The Make-Believe Son (Daughter) The king turns out his eldest queen because she is childless. The maidservant informs the king that the queen has borne (a) a son or (b) a daughter but that the king must not see it. The queen is supplied a house and food. After some years the king…
    410 The Sleeping Beauty The king's daughter falls into a magic sleep. A prince breaks through the hedge surrounding the castle and disenchants the maiden. I. The Wished-for Child. A frog announces the birth of the much desired daughter of the king. II. The Fairies' Gifts.… , 410 B211.7.1., D1364.17., D1967.1., D1978.5., F361.1.1., G269.4., M341.2.13., M370., N711.2.
    314 The Golden-Haired The Magic Flight. From the ogre's house. The fugitives throw magic objects behind them which become mountains, wood, or sea; or they change themselves into various animals or objects. , 314 B316., C495.1.1., C912., H56., H75.4.4., K1816.1.1., L113.1.0.1.1.0.1., T55.1.1., T91.6.4.6.4.
    313 The Magic Flight The Magic Flight. From the ogre's house. The fugitives throw magic objects behind them which become mountains, wood, or sea; or they change themselves into various animals or objects. , 313 D1611., D2003., D2006.1.1., D2006.1.4.1.4., D671., D672., H335.0.1.0.1.
    304 The Trained Hunter The magic gun; the rescued princess; the impostor. (Often combined with Types 300, 302, 400, 554, 555, 675 or 950.) I. The Magic Gun. A youth receives a magic gun, (a) from a green clad huntsman or (b) from an old woman. II. Killing of Giants. (a)… , 304 F661.1.1., H81., H81.1.1.1.1., K912., N711.2.2.
    442 The Old Woman in the Wood The maiden disenchants [D700] a prince whom an evil woman [G263] has transformed into a tree [D215]. She gets the magic ring [D1076] from the old woman's house. Marriage [L162]. , 442 D1076., D431.2., L162.
    437 The Supplanted Bride (The Needle Prince) The maiden finds a seemingly dead prince whose body is covered with pins and needles and begins to remove them, or she must weep a jug full of tears or spend three sleepless nights by the coffin [D762, D759.7]. As the task is almost completed she…
    332 Godfather Death The man as doctor. Death at the feet of the sick man (the bed or the sick man turned around). I. Death as Godfather. (a) A poor man chooses death as godfather, (b) since he considers him juster than either God or the Devil. II. Death's Gifts. (a)… , 332 D1825.3.1.3.1., J486., K557.
    331 The Spirit in the Bottle The man frees the evil spirit from the bottle and receives in reward a wonderful remedy or the power to turn iron into silver (gold). He tricks the spirit into the bottle again. (Often combined with Types 330 or 332.) , 331 K717., R181.
    516 The Petrified Friend The picture of the princess. She is carried off on a ship. The conversation of the ravens. The true servant transformed to stone. Brought back to life. I. The Prince Falls in Love. (a) A prince becomes enamored of a faraway princess by seeing her… , 516, 516C B211.3., C423.4., C961.2., D766.2., H1515., K1332., N342.1., N451., P361., S268., T11.3., T172.2.
    401 The Princess Transformed into a Deer The prince a-hunting. Disenchants princess by spending three nights in a deserted castle. Quest for departed wife, as in Type 400. Cf. Type 400 (I e, II b, c, III i, V, VI).
    502 The Wild Man The prince sets the prisoner free. The latter becomes his servant and helper. (The Ride on the Glass Mountain; cf. Type 530. Rescue of the Princess from the Dragon, cf. Type 300. Service as Shepherd; War or Other Adventures). The youth wins the… , 502 G671., R222.
    430 Prince Donkey The prince transformed to an ass. Plays a lyre and is entertained at king's court. Becomes husband of a princess who disenchants him. For analysis see Type 425 (I a, II b). , 430 641.4., D721.3., T554.
    434 The Stolen Mirror. The princess as doctor cures the lovesick prince. A youth receives magic power from his teacher. Through its use he goes to a distant land where he steals from a beautiful princess her mirror an her picture. He returns home and takes sick from love.… , 434 D700., H1233.1., H1385.5., T24.1.
    559 The Princess’ Laugh The princess made to laugh. Making an absurd parade. Later forcing the noble suitor out of his bridal bed. Cf. Types 571-574, 621. I. Making Princess Laugh. (a) A princess has been offered to the man who can make her laugh. (b) The hero accomplishes… , 559 B571., B582.2., F591., H341., H982., L161., T171., T68.
    306 The Twelve Dancing Princesses The princess's nightly visits to the supernatural being. A youth who follows her and wins her hand. Cf. Type 507. I. Princess as Prize. (a) A princess is offered to the man who can find why her shoes are danced to pieces each morning. II. Discovery… , 306 D1980., D2131., F1015.1.1.1.1., H508.2.2., H80., K625.1.1., L161.
    408 The Three Lemons The quest for the Orange Princess. The false bride. I. The Old Woman's Curse. A young prince insolently throws a stone and breaks an old woman's oil jar. She utters a curse: he is to fall in love with the three oranges (lemons, pomegranates,… , 408 D610., D721.5., J1791., K1911.2.2., K1911.3., S375.
    480 The Kind and the Unkind Girls The real daughter and the stepdaughter by the spring, or the rolling cake. Cf. Types 403, 510A. I. Kind and Unkind Girls. (a) A real daughter and a stepdaughter or two sisters or (c) other girls, one kind and one unkind, go from home, the kind girl… , 480 D1860., H934.3., H935., L211., N791., Q2., Q41., Q41.2., S31.
    514 The Shift of Sex The sister becomes a soldier in place of her brother. Marries the daughter of the king [K1837, K1322]. She is driven away and rescued by her companions. The change of sex in the ogress' house [D11]. Marriage with the princess [L161]. , 514, 514** D11., F954., K1825.1., K1837., K2111., L162.
    451 The Nurse looking for her Brothers, The twelve brothers are changed into ravens. Cf. The Speechless Princess, Types 705, 710. I. The Brothers and their Sister. (a) Seven (twelve) brothers have a younger sister. (b) The parents have promised the death of the brothers if a daughter is… , 451  D161.1., D753.1., D758., K2116.1.1., P253.0.5., P253.2.
    333 Little Red Riding Hood The wolf or other monster devours human beings until all of them are rescued alive from his belly. Cf. Types 123, 2027, 2028.<br /> I. Wolf's Feast. (a) By masking as mother or grandmother the wolf deceives and devours (b) a little girl (Red Riding Hood)… , 333, 333A F913., J21.5.5., K1044., K2011., Q426., Z18.1.1.
    471 The Bridge to Another World The youngest of three brothers crosses into the other world and sees extraordinary things which are later explained. I. The Quest. Three brothers one after the other set out to search for their lost sister. (b) On the way they are appointed to herd… , 471, 471A D2011.1., E481.2.1., F171., F171.0.1., F171.3., F171.5., H1251., H1385.6., R155.1.
    402 The Animal Bride The youngest of three brothers succeeds best in the quests set by his father. He brings the best cloth, the most beautiful bride, etc. The mouse (cat) who has helped him changes herself into a beautiful maiden. , 402, 402A* D711., D735., H1210.1., H1242., H1301.1.
    551 The Water of Life The youngest succeeds with the help of an eagle (dwarf) and various magic objects. The brothers gain possession of the remedy. The princess searches for the father of her child. For analysis see Type 550: I b, (c); II; III c, d; IV; V b. , 551 H1210.1., H1242., H1321.1., H1381.2.1., H80., H81.1., K1932., K2211., L161., N711.3., N825.2., T475.2., W154.12.3.
    316 The Mermaid in the Pond The youth promised to the nix is pulled into the water by her. I. Promise to the Water-Nix. A boy is unwittingly promised to a waternix. II. Grateful Animals. A youth receives from grateful animals the power of transforming himself into their… , 316 F420.1.2.1.2., F420.5.2.2.5.2.2., R152., S240.

    Showing 51–100 of 111 · Page 2 of 3





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