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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 title, ascending

Showing 101–111 of 111 · Page 3 of 3

ATU Title ▲ Summary Arne Thompson Thompson
431 The Waldhaus Three maidens one after the other sent into the wood. Kind and unkind. Animals disenchanted. (Cf. Type 480.) Their clue of grain (lentils) is eaten by birds [R135, R135.1]. They come to a house where they find an old man [D1890], a cock [D166.1.1], a… , 431 D1890., L162., L54., Q2.
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.
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.
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.
463 The Witch in the Stone Boat No examples in the Database yet
428 The Wolf A maiden in the service of a witch. Assigned seemingly impossible tasks, among others to deliver to another witch a letter with instructions to kill the maiden. A wolf helps her to escape. The wolf is thereby disenchanted and becomes a prince who…
424 The Youth Wed to a She-Devil No examples in the Database yet
534 The Youth Who Tends the Buffalo Herd Cf. Types 181, 510C, 511A. I. The youth and the Wild Buffaloes (Cows). A youth cares for wild buffaloes which he comes upon in the forest and is befriended by them [B395, B396, N832.1, B537]. (a) The youth is lost or abandoned. (b) A tiger carries a…
326 The Youth Who Wanted to Learn What Fear Is Various episodes: in the church tower, under the gallows, etc. Cf. Types 1159, 1160.
  • I. Quest: To Meet Fear. A youth who does not know what fear is goes out to find it.
  • II. Experiences. He tries various frightful experiences: (a) playing cards with devil in church; (b) stealing clothes from a ghost; (c) staying at night under a gallows, (d) in a cemetery, or (e) in a haunted house where a dead man's members fall down the chimney; (f) vanquishing ghost like cats; (g) playing ninepins with a reassembled dead man; (h) being shaved by barber-ghost; (i) cutting devil's finger nails.
  • III. Learning Fear. After his wedding he learns fear when cold water is thrown on him or eels are put down his back while he is asleep.
    		•  , 326, 326A*, 326B* H1376.2.2., H1411., H1441., K335.1.10.1.10.
    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.
    321 Won Back the Eyes from the Witch A boy takes service with a blind couple. Warned not to let goats (sheep) wander beyond certain point, he does so and there defeats the witch who has stolen the blind couple's eyes. He restores the eyes. [D2161.3.1.1]. 321 D2161.3.1.1.3.1.1.

    Showing 101–111 of 111 · Page 3 of 3





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