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Stith Thompson Motif Index
About this index and how to read it
Stith Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature classifies recurring narrative elements in folktales, myths, legends, ballads and related traditional narratives. Each entry below gives Thompson's motif reference and the description recorded in the index.
The index is large, so this browser displays 250 entries per page. You can search by motif reference or by words in the description, restrict the results to one of Thompson's main letter categories, and click motif references mentioned inside descriptions to follow cross-references. Individual motif pages also show any ATU tale types whose concordance explicitly cites that Thompson reference.
All
A
Mythological Motifs
B
Animal Motifs
C
Motifs of Tabu
D
Magic
E
The Dead
F
Marvels
G
Ogres
H
Tests
J
The Wise and the Foolish
K
Deceptions
L
Reversals of Fortune
M
Ordaining the Future
N
Chance and Fate
P
Society
Q
Rewards and Punishments
R
Captives and Fugitives
S
Unnatural Cruelty
T
Sex
U
The Nature of Life
V
Religion
W
Traits of Character
X
Humor
Z
Miscellaneous Groups of Motifs
| Thompson reference | Description ▲ |
|---|---|
| A2691.3 | Origin of ganja. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1611.5.3 | Origin of Germans. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2033.1 | Origin of gnats in Lapland. Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 39 No. 60. |
| A119 | Origin of gods—miscellaneous. |
| A1433.1 | Origin of gold coins. Surinam: Penard JAFL XXX 248. |
| A1447.3 | Origin of goldsmith work. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2321.1 | Origin of goose's crest. Dh III 18. |
| A2686.7 | Origin of gourds. S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 473. |
| A1582 | Origin of government. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1435.3 | Origin of grass huts to replace caves as dwellings. Papua: Ker 135. |
| A2683 | Origin of grass. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1541.1.1 | Origin of grave-digging Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1611.5.1 | Origin of Greeks. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2755.3.2 | Origin of gum in myrrh tree. (Cf. A2731.2.)—Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 86 n. 2. |
| A1611.2 | Origin of Gypsies. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 5 No. 12; Irish: Beal XXI 304, 325f. |
| A1135.4 | Origin of hail. S. Am. Indian (Aymara): Tschopik BBAE CXLIII (2) 571. |
| A1315 | Origin of hair and beard. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2322 | Origin of hair and mane. Dh III 34f. |
| A1315.4 | Origin of hair around mouth and eyes. Original dispute between Hair and Stomach. Stomach compelled to stay on inside of man. Hair stands on guard at mouth and eyes to see that Stomach does not escape.—Ekoi: Talbot 394. |
| A1541.3.1 | Origin of Hallowe'en as a mystic night. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1541.3 | Origin of Hallowe'en. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1311 | Origin of hands and feet. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1461.2.1 | Origin of harp. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1388 | Origin of hatred. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2311.4 | Origin of hedgehog's skin. (See A2210, A2220.1.)—Dh III 7.—Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3127, Legends No. 228. |
| A2662 | Origin of hellebore. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 259*. |
| A2684.2 | Origin of hemp. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A925.1 | Origin of high sea waves. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 13/441). |
| A962.8 | Origin of hills and ridges: pieces of shattered god's head. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2813 | Origin of honey. Chauvin VII 59 No. 77 n. 1.; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Icel.: Boberg. |
| A2321.2 | Origin of hoopoe's crest. Dh III 18. |
| A2145.0.1 | Origin of horned serpent. N. Am. Indian (Creek): Swanton BBAE LXXXVIII 32f. |
| A1535.6 | Origin of horse-racing. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1459.1.5 | Origin of horse-whips. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A942 | Origin of hot springs (geysers). Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1545.5 | Origin of human sacrifice. India: *Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 370. |
| A1312 | Origin of human skeleton. |
| A1481 | Origin of human wisdom. It is kept hidden by monster and is later stolen. It escapes and spreads through the world. (Cf. A1111, A1421.)—Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 33 No. 2. |
| A1345 | Origin of hunger. Greek: Grote I 7; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Liberian: Bundy JAFL XXXII 421f.; Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 216, 221. |
| A1520 | Origin of hunting and fishing customs. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1458 | Origin of hunting. India: Thompson-Balys; New Hebrides: Codrington 368; S. Am. Indian (Yagua): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 736, (Toba): Métraux ibid. (1) 368, MAFLS XL 3. 84. |
| A775 | Origin of Hyades. Greek: Fox 46, 248ff., Frazer Apollodorus I 321 n. 5; African: Werner African 229; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 365, MAFLS XL 21. |
| A1464.2 | Origin of hymn. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1337.8 | Origin of illness from fire and cold. Africa (Togo): Einstein 5f. |
| A1618 | Origin of inequalities among men. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2002 | Origin of insects from various experiences of saint. Dh I 192f. |
| A2005 | Origin of insects: God throws sand on lazy shepherds. (Cf. A1716.1). —Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 150 No. 70. |
| A2006 | Origin of insects: monstrous births from brother-sister incest. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2003 | Origin of insects: released from sack. God places them in a sack and gives it to hare to carry to stream. He must not look in the sack. When he does so the insects escape. The hare laughs and this is the cause of his split lip.—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 93 No. 104; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3131, Legends Nos. 232—244. |
| A1616.2 | Origin of Irish language. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1432.1 | Origin of iron. Finnish: Kalevale rune 9; India: Thompson-Balys; Jewish: Neuman; Africa (Bushongo): Torday 235. |
| A955.3.2 | Origin of island's position. Mono-Alu, Farau: Wheeler 70. |
| A955.3 | Origin of island's shape and position. |
| A955 | Origin of islands. |
| A1611.5.2 | Origin of Italians. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1337.5 | Origin of itch. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1319.10 | Origin of itching. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1375 | Origin of jealousy and selfishness. Irish myth: Cross; Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 112 No. 19. |
| A1546.4 | Origin of Jewish worship. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A782 | Origin of Jupiter (planet). Africa: Werner African 229; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 19. |
| A1556.4 | Origin of jus primae noctis. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1580.1 | Origin of justice. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2686.3.1 | Origin of kava plant. Tonga: Beckwith Myth 101, Gifford 72, 75. |
| A1583 | Origin of kingdom. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2321.5 | Origin of kingfisher's crest. Dh III 19. |
| A1653.1 | Origin of kings (from god(s)). Icel.: Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 241 (Rigsthula), Snorra Edda Prologue. |
| A1312.1 | Origin of knee-caps. A stone that magically joins self to woman's body.—Ekoi: Talbot 394. |
| A2755.4 | Origin of knots in wood. (See A2738.)—Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2658 | Origin of lady-slipper (calceolaria hybrida). Flemish: DeMeyer XXXVII 92 No. 256*. |
| A920.1 | Origin of lakes. Fb "sø" III 731a.—Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 135 (cf. A911), Cross; Indo-Chinese: Scott Indo-Chinese 291 (cf. A901).—Tahltan: *Teit JAFL XXXII, 219f.; Malecite: Speck JAFL XXX 481. |
| A1547.3 | Origin of lamentations for the dead. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1482 | Origin of language. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1399.1 | Origin of laughter. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1589 | Origin of laws—miscellaneous. |
| A1585 | Origin of laws: division of property in a family. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1580 | Origin of laws. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1377 | Origin of laziness. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 238f. |
| A1453.4 | Origin of leaf-dress. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2092.1 | Origin of leaf-scorpion. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2182.2 | Origin of leech. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1337.6 | Origin of leprosy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A114.1.1.2 | Origin of lesser gods from spittle of great god. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 82. |
| A1614.6 | Origin of light and dark skin color. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1412 | Origin of light—miscellaneous. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1412.2 | Origin of light: souls of dead in heaven. Eskimo (Cape York): Rasmussen III 48. |
| A1141.8 | Origin of lightning—other motifs. S. Am. Indian (Toba, Mataco, Chamacoco): Métraux MAFLS XL 27f., (Huamachuco): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 151. |
| A1141 | Origin of lightning. Jewish: Neuman.—Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 113; Liberia: Bundy JAFL XXXII 422f.; Nootka: Sapir JAFL XXXII 354; Eskimo (Cape York): Rasmussen III 61, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 175, (Central Eskimo): Boas RBAE VI 600. |
| A1464 | Origin of literary arts. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2171.3 | Origin of lobster. Tahiti: Henry 339. |
| A2062 | Origin of locust. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 90 No. 125b.—Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 76. |
| A1554 | Origin of love-songs. China: Eberhard FFC CXX 118. |
| A1614.1.1 | Origin of luchrupain (leprechauns, dwarfs, pygmies) from curses of Ham. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1547.2 | Origin of lute-playing at funerals. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1343 | Origin of lying. Greek: Grote I 7; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 113, 911; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1461.2 | Origin of lyre. Hermes makes it from a tortoise.—Greek: Fox 192, Frazer Apollodorus II 9 n. 2.—Finnish: Kalevala rune 40 (from bones of a pike); cf. rune 44. |
| A778.0.1 | Origin of Magellanic Clouds. Tonga: Gifford 105, 109; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 21f., 47, (Chiriguano): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 483. |
| A2313.2 | Origin of magpie's feathers. Exchanges with dove. See A2247. |
| A2685.1.1 | Origin of maize. India: Thompson-Balys; S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 172, (Tembé): Métraux ibid. 140, (Kaigua, Apapocuva-Guarani): Métraux ibid. 136, (Tenetehara): Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 148. |
| A1313.1 | Origin of male sex-organs. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 6 No. 21, XXXIII 52 No. 21; India: Thompson-Balys; Jewish: Neuman.—Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 141 No. 14; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3040, Balys Legends Nos. 50-57; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 83f. Nos. 28-30; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 84 No. 21.—Plains Ojibwa: Skinner JAFL XXXII 283; Plains Cree: Skinner JAFL XXIX 351. |
| A1319.14 | Origin of man's skin. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2664 | Origin of mandrake. (See A2611.5.) |
| A2685.5 | Origin of manioc. S. Am. Indian (Paressi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 360, (Mataco): Métraux MAFLS XL 128. |
| A2093 | Origin of mantis. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2330.4 | Origin of marks on tiger's face. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1555 | Origin of marriage. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 7 No. 26, XXXIII 52 No. 26; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 84 No. 26; Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| A1465.6 | Origin of masks. Africa (Bushongo): Torday 250; (Bakuba): Einstein 163f. |
| A1487.2 | Origin of medical books. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| A1562 | Origin of medical treatment during pregnancy. |
| A1438 | Origin of medicine (healing). Greek: Fox 279ff.; Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 70f.; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 202, 205f.; Jewish: Neuman; Chinese: Ferguson 14; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 116f., 119; N. A. Indian (Joshua): Frachtenberg JAFL XXVIII 230; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 3, 69; (Manasi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 393. |
| A1438.1 | Origin of medicine: shaman sent down by the Creator equipped with it. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2687.2 | Origin of melons. S. Am. Indian (Mataco): MAFLS XL 128. |
| A1355.1 | Origin of menstruation—Eve and the serpent. It is a punishment because Eve had intercourse with the serpent.—Dh I 211; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1355.2 | Origin of menstruation—Virgin Mary's garment. She hides her garment and a maiden finds it.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 6 No. 24; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1355.1.1 | Origin of menstruation: punishment because Eve ate forbidden fruit. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1355 | Origin of menstruation. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 6 No. 25, XXXIII 53 No. 25; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A1370 | Origin of mental and moral characteristics. |
| A1465.3.3 | Origin of metal ornaments. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1447 | Origin of metal-working. Hebrew: Genesis 4:22; Greek: Fox 171; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A788 | Origin of meteors. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 24, (Viracocha): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 551. |
| A1442 | Origin of milling. (Cf. A1446.5.3.) Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A978.1 | Origin of minerals from body of dead culture hero. Persian: Carnoy 294. |
| A978 | Origin of minerals. |
| A1448 | Origin of mining. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2170 | Origin of miscellaneous animal forms. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1134 | Origin of mist (fog). India: Thompson-Balys; Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 176. |
| A1129.2 | Origin of monsoon: from chewed skin and spit of pair of divine friends eating guavas. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A743.1 | Origin of moon from shell. Nauru (Pleasant Is.), Micronesia: Dixon 250. |
| A781.1 | Origin of Morning Star. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 466; Chinese: Graham.—Maori: Clark 50; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 23, (Warrau): Kirchoff BBAE CXLIII (3) 880. |
| A2034 | Origin of mosquitoes. India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda; Hatt Asiatic Influences 89f.; Eskimo (Ungava): Turner RBAE XI 264; S. Am. Indian (Tucuna): Nimuendajú BBAE CXLIII (3) 294; N. Am. Indian (Kaska): Teit JAFL XXX 445. |
| A2656.1 | Origin of mossrose. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 254* |
| A967 | Origin of mounds. Tonga: Gifford 121. |
| A965 | Origin of mountain chain. |
| A969.7 | Origin of mountains as punishment. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A925.5 | Origin of mournful sound of sea. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 21. |
| A2320.3.1 | Origin of mudhen's red head. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 230. |
| A2681.9 | Origin of mulberry tree. Marquesas: Handy 123. |
| A2182.5 | Origin of multipede. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1336 | Origin of murder. Hebrew: Genesis 4:8ff.; Jewish: Neuman; Greek: Grote I 7.—Congo: Weeks 207 No. 4; Ila of Rhodesia: Smith and Dale 350 No. 5. |
| A2686.1 | Origin of mushroom. (Cf. A2613.1.)—Dh II 107; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2812 | Origin of musk. Chauvin VII 59 No. 77 n. 1. |
| A2665.1 | Origin of narcissus. Chinese: Eberhard 131 No. 87. |
| A2691 | Origin of narcotic plants. |
| A2135.1 | Origin of narwhal. Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 169, (Cape York): Rasmussen III 79. |
| A1179 | Origin of night and day—miscellaneous. |
| A1170 | Origin of night and day. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1174 | Origin of night. India: Thompson-Balys; Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 205. |
| A2321.6 | Origin of nkundak's crest. (See A2223.2.) |
| A2313.4 | Origin of nkundak's feathers. (See A2223.2.) |
| A1656 | Origin of noblemen. Icel.: Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 239 (Rigsthula). |
| A1461.7 | Origin of nose-flute. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 538. |
| A2681.2 | Origin of oak. Finnish: Kalevala rune 2. |
| A1459.1.2.1 | Origin of obsidian-tipped spears. Easter Is.: Métraux Ethnology 376. |
| A1484.1 | Origin of ogam inscriptions. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2115 | Origin of olachen. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 203f. |
| A1441.5 | Origin of onion-growing. Korean: Zong in-Sob 21 No. 10. |
| A2691.4 | Origin of opium. India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard 131 No. 88. |
| A1461.3 | Origin of organ. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 7 No. 30; Irish myth: Cross. |
| A772 | Origin of Orion. Andree Ethnographische Parallelen (1878) 108; *RTP XXI 102 and references to earlier volumes; *Handwb. d. Abergl. IX Nachträge 684f.—Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 177; Greek: Fox 249f.; Egyptian: Müller 57; India: *Thompson-Balys.—Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 429; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 81 No. 12.—S. A. Indian (Tarahumare and Tepehuane): Alexander N. Am. 176; (Amazon) Alexander Lat. Am. 307; N. American Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 67; Africa (Tonga): Gifford 100. |
| A1465.3 | Origin of ornaments. India: Thompson-Balys; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A940 | Origin of other bodies of water. |
| A1319 | Origin of other bodily attributes. |
| A1590 | Origin of other customs. |
| A2343.3 | Origin of other features of birds' beak. |
| A2680 | Origin of other plant forms. |
| A1372 | Origin of other special characteristics of women. |
| A1495 | Origin of outdoor games. |
| A2426.2.17 | Origin of owl's cries. (Cf. A2427.3.)—S. Am. Indian (Matoco): Métraux MAFLS XL 48. |
| A2681.12 | Origin of palm-wine tree. Africa (Bushonga): Torday 236. |
| A2681.5 | Origin of palms. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1542.2 | Origin of particular dance. |
| A2828 | Origin of particular kinds of basket. Tonga: Gifford 140. |
| A920.1.0.1 | Origin of particular lake. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1616 | Origin of particular languages. Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 142 No. 25; Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 9 Nos. 45—47; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 85 Nos. 38, 40; Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 35 No. 11; Icel.: Snorra Edda Prologue V; Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 123; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1542.1 | Origin of particular manner of dancing. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A989 | Origin of particular places—miscellaneous. |
| A980 | Origin of particular places. |
| A977.5 | Origin of particular rock. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1464.2.1 | Origin of particular song. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A770 | Origin of particular stars. **Normann Mythen der Sterne (Gotha 1925); *Frazer Ovid V 7 s.v. "constellations".—Chinese: Werner 189. |
| A977 | Origin of particular stones or groups of stones. |
| A1611 | Origin of particular tribes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1541.5 | Origin of passover. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1533 | Origin of peace ceremonies. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 213. |
| A2313.3 | Origin of peacock's feathers. (See A2241, A2245.)—Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3142, Legends No. 256f. |
| A2827 | Origin of pearls. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2686.2 | Origin of peas. (See A2612.3.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1655 | Origin of peasantry. Icel.: Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 237 (Rigsthula); African (Senegambia): Bérenger-Feraud II 185ff. No. 2. |
| A1871.2 | Origin of peccary. S. Am. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 685. |
| A1581.1 | Origin of penalty for murder. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 401. |
| A1581.2 | Origin of penalty for theft. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1549.4 | Origin of penance for sin. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A956 | Origin of peninsulas. Greek: Aeschylus Suppliants line 542.—Tonga: Gifford 68. |
| A1541.6 | Origin of Pentecost. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2686.3 | Origin of pepper plant. (See A2611.4.)—S. Am. Indian (Brazil): Oberg 109. |
| A1441.4.1 | Origin of periodic sowing. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1577 | Origin of personal names. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; Liberian: Bundy JAFL XXXII 422. |
| A1338 | Origin of physical defects. Wicked people entering heaven on rope fall to earth and are injured. St. Peter misunderstands what God says and lets them fall.—Spanish: Boggs FFC XC No. 758A. |
| A1594 | Origin of physicians. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2767.1 | Origin of pine-needles. (See A2723.1.) |
| A1458.1 | Origin of pitfall. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1617 | Origin of place-name. India: Thompson-Balys. (No attempt is given here to collect references to place-name origins. Stories of this kind are world wide.) |
| A1313.5 | Origin of placenta. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2631 | Origin of plant as punishment. (Cf. A2230.) |
| A2632 | Origin of plant as reward. |
| A2700 | Origin of plant characteristics. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2624 | Origin of plant from staff of holy person. |
| A2781 | Origin of plant names. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2601 | Origin of plants: creator sends down the insects, who plant them. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2600 | Origin of plants. Dh I 170f.—**Wünsche Die Pflanzenfabel in der Weltliteratur (Leipzig 1905).—Persian: Carnoy 281; Hawaiian: Dixon 38; Maori: Clark 15. |
| A1372.7 | Origin of pleasant and unpleasant women. Contest arranged by Virgin Mary—laughter forbidden for some time.—Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 79. |
| A1441.1 | Origin of plowing. Greek: Fox 171, Alphabet of Tales No. 654; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 69; S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 473. |
| A2692 | Origin of poisonous plants. India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 686; Africa (Tonga): Gifford 27. |
| A1656.1 | Origin of Polish noblemen: from wheat dough that a bitch devours. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3050, Balys Legends Nos 97, 104ff. |
| A1465.4 | Origin of polishing stone. Maori: Clark 103. |
| A2311.5 | Origin of porcupine's skin. (See A2210.)—Dh III 7ff. |
| A1451 | Origin of pottery. Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; African (Basuto): Jacottet 50 No. 7; S. Am. Indian (Paressi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 359, (Yagua): Steward-Métraux ibid. (3) 736, (Jivaro): ibid. (3) 627, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 86. |
| A1546.0.2 | Origin of prayers. Jewish: *Neuman; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 19ff., 69; Easter Is.: Métraux Ethnology 313. |
| A1654 | Origin of priesthood (shamanism, etc.) |
| A1654.1 | Origin of priests. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2653 | Origin of primrose. (Cf. A2622.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 250. |
| A1658 | Origin of professional warriors. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1315.5 | Origin of pubic hairs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2687.4 | Origin of pumpkin. S. Am. Indian (Jivaro): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 627. |
| A1342 | Origin of quarrelling. Greek: Grote I 7; S. Am. Indian (Yuracare): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 503. |
| A1599.11 | Origin of quarrels. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1614.4.1.1 | Origin of race colors from eating of ox. Those who eat livers are black; those who eat lungs and blood are red.—Herero: Werner African 150. |
| A1610.3 | Origin of races from mixed offspring of animal marriage. Eskimo (Cape York): Rasmussen III 85, 125, 200, (East Greenland): Rasmussen I 363, Holm 57. |
| A1453.7 | Origin of raffia cloth. Africa (Bushongo): Torday 249. |
| A1131 | Origin of rain. India: Thompson-Balys; Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 113. |
| A791.9 | Origin of rainbow: transformed butterflies (souls of lovers). Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 266. |
| A1435.2 | Origin of raths (duns, stone forts). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1484 | Origin of reading and writing. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2755.1 | Origin of red grain of cedar. (See A2731.3.) |
| A2321.8 | Origin of red lump on rail's head. (See A2215.4.) |
| A1147.1 | Origin of red sky (blood). Kaska: Teit JAFL XXX 448; Tahiti: Henry 339. |
| A1579 | Origin of regulation within the family—miscellaneous. |
| A1570 | Origin of regulations within the family. |
| A1875.1 | Origin of reindeer. Kodiak: Jochelson JE VI 224; Eskimo (Central): Boas RBAE VI 215 588, (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 454; N. Am. Indian (Kathlamet): Boas RBAE XXVI 109. |
| A1575 | Origin of relation of mother and children. |
| A1549 | Origin of religious ceremonials—miscellaneous. |
| A1540 | Origin of religious ceremonials. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 85 Nos. 36a, 43d.—India: *Thompson-Balys; Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 171f. |
| A1542 | Origin of religious dances. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 359. |
| A1541.7 | Origin of religious fasts. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1541 | Origin of religious feasts and fasts. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1549.3 | Origin of religious games. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 40. |
| A1544 | Origin of religious images (idols). Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 516; Easter Is.: Métraux Ethnology 261. |
| A1543 | Origin of religious songs (chants). |
| A1426.2.2 | Origin of rice-beer. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A934.10 | Origin of river: from a girl drowned in a well. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A934.11.4 | Origin of river: transformed flowing honey. India: Thompson-Balys. |
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