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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 ▲ |
|---|---|
| A738.1.1 | Sun and moon are balls of feathers. S. Am. Indian (Bacairi): Lévi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 347f., (Paressi): Métraux ibid. 360. |
| A736.3 | Sun and moon as brothers. N. Am. Indian (Klikitat): Jacobs Northwest Sahaptin Texts 16; S. Am. Indian (Guarani): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 93, (Chiriguano): Métraux ibid. 484; (Guaporé River): Lévi-Strauss ibid. 379. |
| A718.2 | Sun and moon as divine bodies of gods. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 85. |
| A759.2 | Sun and moon as divine hero's wedding presents. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A714.7 | Sun and moon as eyes of Rama which he tore out after his brother's death. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A736.6 | Sun and moon as friends. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A151.6.2 | Sun and moon as habitations of gods. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 85. |
| A736.1.3 | Sun and moon as lovers. (Cf. A736.1.1.).—India: Thompson-Balys.—S. Am. Indian (Amazon): Alexander Lat. Am. 306, (Caviсa, Tumupasa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 448; African (Ekoi): Talbot 359. |
| A736.1 | Sun and moon as man and woman. India: Thompson-Balys; Macobi: Alexander Lat. Am 319; Africa: Meinhof 200. |
| A736.4 | Sun and moon as sisters, daughters of sky-god. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A714.6 | Sun and moon as spangle which falls from creator's forehead into his own urine. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A736.3.1 | Sun and moon as twin brothers. S. Am. Indian (Mataco, Chamacoco): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 366, (Amuesa): *Métraux RMLP XXXIII 131. |
| A711.1 | Sun and moon as uncle and nephew who ascended to the sky. Tunja (Colombia): Alexander Lat. Am. 200. |
| A1271.2 | Sun and moon beget stones and birds: these transformed to first parents. Baining of New Britain: Dixon 110. |
| A715.2 | Sun and moon born from a goddess impregnated by the wind. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A715.1 | Sun and moon born from a woman. *Fb "sol" III 457b. |
| A715.3 | Sun and moon born from an ogre. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A715.6 | Sun and moon born of lizard. S. Am. Indian (Amuesha): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 149. |
| A736.3.2 | Sun and moon brothers: sun clever, moon stupid. S. Am. Indian (Mataco, Chamacoco): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 366, (Timbira, Sherente, Caingang, Mashachali): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (1) 397, 515. |
| A728.4 | Sun and moon carried through sky by animals. Speed depends upon hour and season.—S. Am. Indian (Bacairi): Lévi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 348. |
| A1010.1 | Sun and moon do not shine during deluge. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A713.1 | Sun and moon from belly of a fish. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A715.4 | Sun and moon from breasts of mother earth. (Cf. A401.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A713 | Sun and moon from cave. Haiti: Alexander Lat. Am. 28. |
| A721.0.1 | Sun and moon kept in pots when they do not shine. S. Am. Indian (Bakairi, Amazon): Alexander Lat. Am. 313, (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 683. Cf. N. A. Indian: Thompson Tales 282 n. 45 (light kept in box or basket). |
| A726.1 | Sun and moon make daily tour under direct orders of God. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A736.1.4 | Sun and moon married. *Fb. "sol" III 457b.—Lettish: Gray 321; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Werner 133, Eberhard FFC CXX 113.—African: Werner African 232, (Fang): Trilles 171f.; Hatt Asiatic Influences 74f.—Tlingit: Alexander N. Am. 257; S. Am. Indian (Fuegian): Alexander Lat. Am. 342, (Jivaro): Stewart-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 627, Métraux RMLP XXXIII 129, (Aymara): Tschopik BBAE CXLIII (2) 571, (Chibcha): Kroeber ibid. 908. |
| A714.4 | Sun and moon metal mirrors in sky. Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 419; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A714.1 | Sun and moon placed for eyes in the sky. Maori, Society Is., Samoa, Cook Group: Dixon 37. |
| A714.2 | Sun and moon placed in top of tree. Hero makes the sun and moon and fastens them to the top of the "World Tree" (cf. A652), but they give no light at first. —Finnish: Kalevala rune 49, cf. FFC LXXII 108. |
| A700.6 | Sun and moon purchased. African (Togo): Einstein 9f. |
| A735.2 | Sun and moon pursued by dark planet in black chariot. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A736.1.4.1 | Sun and moon quarrel when sun eats up all their children but two. India: Thompson-Balys. Cf. Africa: Meinhof 200. |
| A722.10 | Sun and moon to remain half their time in underworld. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A711.2 | Sun as a cannibal. India: Thompson-Balys; Crow: Lowie PaAM XV 157. |
| A739.8 | Sun as caretaker of the poor. S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 165. |
| A121.2 | Sun as deity. (cf. A220). Jewish: Neuman; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 217. |
| A512.4 | Sun as father of culture hero. S. Am. Indian (Warrau, Carib): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 123, 145. |
| A712 | Sun as fire rekindled every morning. Australian: Dixon 274f. |
| A714.5 | Sun as grindstone full of fire. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A736 | Sun as human being. |
| A731 | Sun as king of sky and earth. India: Thompson-Balys; Jewish: Neuman; Africa: Bouveignes 14. |
| A711 | Sun as man who left earth. Man, usually of supernatural birth, ascends to the sky and becomes the sun.—India: Thompson-Balys; Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 45; Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 97 No. 18; Ekoi: Talbot 357, 359; British New Guinea: Dixon 113; Tuamotu: Stimson MS (T-g 3/191); S. Am. Indian (Eastern Brazil): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (1) 434, (Guarayú): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 147, (Kaigua): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 138ff., (Manasi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 393, (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 122, 158—165, (Guaporé River): Lévi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 379. |
| A715.5 | Sun as offspring of moon. Babylonia: Spence 145. |
| A736.2 | Sun as woman. S. Am. Indian (Mocoví): Métraux MAFLS XXXX 20. |
| A722.4 | Sun at night closes doors. In evening goes home and shuts doors and windows.—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 357. |
| A722.7.1 | Sun at night enters fissure between sky and earth. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 19. |
| A722.5 | Sun at night lowers arm. The sun, a man, lies with arm uplifted. The shining comes from his armpits. When his arm is lowered the shining ceases.—Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 45. |
| A739.1 | Sun at the edge of the sky. Chinese: Graham. |
| A722.5.1 | Sun bathes in stream of fire at night. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A715 | Sun born of first couple. Gilbert Is.: Dixon 254; Samoa: Beckwith Myth 254; S. Am. Indian (Tupinamba, Tembé, Apapocuva): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 123, (Jivaro): Stewart-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 627, (Guarani): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 93, (Paressi): Métraux ibid. 359, (Viracocha): Stewart-Métraux ibid. 550. |
| A728 | Sun caught in snare. Luomala Oceanic, American Indian, and African Myths of Snaring the Sun (BMB No. 168 [Honolulu, 1940]); *Dh III 120ff.—India: Thompson-Balys; African: Frobenius Atlantis V 38, 70f., XII 160, 185f. |
| A719.3 | Sun created on fourth day of creation. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A736.9 | Sun cursed by moon. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1052.1 | Sun devoured by monster at end of world. *Olrik Ragnarök 482 s.v. "Sonne". |
| A725.1 | Sun does not set for a year through power of saint. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A733.5 | Sun dries out earth with its heat. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A764.1.2 | Sun eats all his own children except morning star, while moon keeps all her children in hiding. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A719.1 | Sun emerges from lake. S. Am. Indian (Amyra): Tschopik BBAE CXLIII (2) 571. |
| A738.2.2 | Sun endowed with wisdom and passion. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A721.5 | Sun falls but is lifted back to sky and tied to it. S. Am. Indian: (Mocovi): Métraux MAFLS XXXX 34. |
| A226 | Sun father-in-law. American Indian: *Thompson Tales 312 n. 123. |
| A714.3 | Sun from fire flung into sky. Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 421. |
| A718.3 | Sun from fruit kernels thrown into water of flood. S. Am. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 683. |
| A718.1 | Sun from head of youth offered in sacrifice. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A714 | Sun from object thrown into sky. Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 54; Pelew Is. (Micronesia): Dixon 253; Cook Group: ibid. 37; Admiralty Is., Woodlark Is.: ibid. 112; Australian: ibid. 275. |
| A718 | Sun from transformation. |
| A718.4 | Sun from transformed maggots. Maori: Beckwith Myth 101. |
| A769.5 | Sun gives light to stars. S. Am. Indian (Viracocha): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 550. |
| A739.9 | Sun has weapons of iron to repel enemies. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 19. |
| A722.6 | Sun hidden at night because afraid to wander. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A737.8.1 | Sun hides face in shame: eclipse. Africa: Meinhof 207. |
| A734.1 | Sun hides in cave. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A734 | Sun hides. |
| A681 | Sun in the underworld. S. Am. Indian (Viracocha): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 550. |
| A722.13 | Sun is man during day. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 33. |
| A721.0.3 | Sun kept in a case. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A721 | Sun kept in box. Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 421. |
| A722.5.2 | Sun led through stream to cool off heat at night; otherwise might consume earth. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A736.7.1 | Sun marries woman. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 35. |
| A727.1 | Sun originally so hot that it threatens all life. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A739.6 | Sun sets and refuses to rise: must be coaxed back from underworld. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1052.2 | Sun shining at night as sign of Doomsday. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (M307.1). |
| A721.0.2 | Sun shut up in pit. India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| A736.1.1 | Sun sister and moon brother. Brother visits sister at night. She marks him to identify him. He flees and she follows with flaming brand. She is sun and he the moon.—*Rank Das Inzestmotiv 446ff.; Frazer Ovid III 31.—Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 196; Lappish: Friis Lappisk Mythologi 79; German: Hdwb. d. deutschen Aberglaubens I 642, II 1511; India: Thompson-Balys; Korean: Zong in-Sob 10 No. 3.—Eskimo: *Thompson Tales 273 note 6; S. Am. Indian (Chaco): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 366, (Manasi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 393, (Witoto, Shipaya, Canelo, Warrau, Arawak): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (3) 54; African (Baluga): Einstein 176. |
| A722.8 | Sun sits on back of a male buffalo. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A731.1 | Sun sits on throne. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A721.2 | Sun swallowed and spit out. In theft of sun, the raven (or devil) thus succeeds.—Dh III 113ff. |
| A1068 | Sun thrown on fire: period of darkness, rain. Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 83. |
| A728.3 | Sun visits earth in form of black bull, caught by man, thus causing night. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1066 | Sun will lock moon in deep ditch in earth's bottom and will eat up stars at end of world. Africa (Fang): Einstein 36. |
| A722.11 | Sun worships God by night. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A736.1.2 | Sun-brother and moon-sister. Icel.: De la Saussaye 344; India: *Thompson-Balys.—N. A. Indian (Montagnais and Menominee): Alexander N. Am. 25. |
| A221 | Sun-father. *Fb "sol" III 457b.—Pawnee: Alexander N. Am. 81, 87; Zuсi: ibid. 187; S. Am. Indian (Guarani): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 93. |
| A1.1 | Sun-god as creator.—Egyptian: Müller 69; Persian: Carnoy 260. |
| A222 | Sun-god bitten by snake, leaves earth for heaven. Egyptian: Müller 80ff. |
| A220.0.1 | Sun-god commits adultery. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A220.0.2 | Sun-god couples with the moon. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A220 | Sun-god. **Frobenius Das Zeitalter des Sonnengottes (Berlin 1904); Smith Dragon viii; Montelius FL XXI (1909) 60; Krappe "The Anatolian Lion God" JAOS LXV (1945) 144—154; Krappe "Apollon" Studi i Materiali di Storia delle Religioni XIX—XX (1943—1946); *Koch Gestirnverehrung im alten Italien (Frankfurt a. M. 1933).—Greek: Gaster Thespis 127, 205, 339f., Fox 241 (Helios); Egyptian: Müller 24ff., 129 (Amon); Babylonian: Spence 109ff., 187, 189; Irish myth: Cross; Persian, Hindu: Keith 24—29, 232; Armenian: Ananikian, 11, 33, 37, 43; Finno-Ugric: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 223; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 422; Chinese: Ferguson 90; Russian: Máchal 273, 297, 299; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 735.—Navaho: Alexander N. Am. 165; Pima: ibid. 176; (Pawnee and Plains in general): ibid. 81, 87; Huichol: Alexander Lat. Am. 121. |
| A220.1 | Sun-goddess. Gaster Thespis 30f., 127, 205, 339; Japanese: Anesaki 225ff., *Ikeda, Beckwith Myth 102; Irish myth: Cross. |
| A728.1 | Sun-snarer: burnt mantle. A boy is angered because the sun burned his mantle. He makes a snare and catches the sun and delays him so that everything is burning up. A mouse finally gnaws the snare in two.—American Indian: *Thompson Tales 290 n. 65. Cf. Luomala. |
| A728.2 | Sun-snarer: fast sun. The sun goes too fast to dry clothing. The hero snares the sun's legs with a rope as he is climbing up from the underworld. He releases the sun upon the promise to go more slowly.—Polynesian: *Dixon 44ff. n. 26; Society Is., Samoan: ibid. 46; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 10, 227, 230; Marquesas: Handy 103. Cf. Luomala. |
| A153.3.2 | Sun, moon and wind dine with their uncle and aunt, thunder and lightning. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A700.8 | Sun, moon, and darkness as god's three children. African (Kamerun): Mansfield 234. |
| A1271.1 | Sun, moon, and stars bring forth first parents. Sun and moon beget son; morning and evening star beget daughter; these, the first parents, are at first without understanding, but it is awakened later by demigods.—Pawnee: Alexander N. Am. 110. |
| A700.5 | Sun, moon, and stars forged by smith. African (Togo): Einstein 14f. |
| A700.7 | Sun, moon, and stars nourished on fire. African (Fang): Einstein 33. |
| A736.7 | Sun's affection for human girl rouses moon's jealousy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A739.7 | Sun's all-seeing eye. Greek: Grote I 313. |
| A738.3 | Sun's healing powers. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A722.1 | Sun's night journey in golden goblet. Helios' chariot is conveyed eastward at night in a golden goblet (or bed).—Greek: Fox 243. Cf. A724. |
| A722.2 | Sun's night journey with reversed face. It returns from west to east by the same way that it came, but it turns its light side to the sky and leaves the earth in darkness.—Hindu: Keith 16. |
| A722.3 | Sun's night journey: in land of dead. Gaster Thespis 195; Egyptian: Müller 27, 84; Armenian: Ananikian 50; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A722 | Sun's night journey. Around or under the earth.—Armenian: Ananikian 50; S. Am. Indian (Munderucú): Horton BBAE CXLIII (3) 281. |
| A738.4 | Sun's power over plants. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2795 | Sundry characteristics of flowers. |
| A2793 | Sundry characteristics of grains and vegetables. |
| A2792 | Sundry characteristics of shrubs. |
| A2791 | Sundry characteristics of trees. |
| A2794 | Sundry characteristics of vegetables. |
| A849 | Support of the earth—miscellaneous. |
| A840 | Support of the earth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A665 | Support of the sky. |
| A101.1 | Supreme god as creator. (cf. A0). Lowie Primitive Religion 85; Goldenweiser Early Civilization 97; Oldenberg Die Religion des Veda 278.—Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 326; Armenian: Ananikian 20; India: Thompson-Balys; Tarascan: Alexander Lat. Am. 85. |
| A101 | Supreme god. One god chief of all other gods. (Often not worshipped as other gods are.)—Durkheim 274, 409ff.; Leroy La raison primitive 125ff.; Holmberg Gudstron 61ff.; C. Koch Der römische Juppiter.—Semitic: Smith Semites@3 529; Jewish: Neuman; Greek: Fox 153, *Grote I 57f.; Assyrian: Spence 206ff.; Babylonian: ibid. 199ff.; Hindu: Keith 21f.; India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 148, 309; Siberian: Karjalainen FFC XLIV 259, 268ff.; Armenian: Ananikian 11, 14, 37; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 61; Chinese: Ferguson 50, Eberhard FFC CXX 115 No. 70.—Indonesian: Kruyt Archipel 465ff.; Maori: Clark 32; Tahiti: Henry 121, 128; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 45.—African: Frobenius Atlantis X 82, Werner African 123ff.; N. A. Indian: Alexander N. Am. 80, 82, 187, 284 n. 28; So. Am. Indian (Guarani): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 93; Africa (Fang): Trilles 130, (Luba): Donohugh V 180. |
| A1029.6 | Survivors of flood establish homes. S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 170f. |
| A2214.1 | Swallow thrown on his tail: cause of split tail. (Cf. A2378.5.1.)—Dh II 126, III 419.—Aarne FFC VII 16 No. 85; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 87 No. 85. |
| A2431.3.5 | Swallow's nest. (See A2221.2.4.)—Dh III 5, 200, 415ff.; Sébillot RTP III 156; Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 16 No. 87. |
| A2221.2.4 | Swallows lift Christ's crown of thorns from his brow: why their nests are not destroyed. (Cf. A2431.3.5.)—Fb "svale" III 660b; Sébillot RTP III 156. |
| A2221.2.4.1 | Swallows put on mourning at crucifixion: have never taken it off. Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 37 No. *243. |
| A2231.2.2 | Swallows torment Christ on cross: lose voice. (Cf. A2422.9.)—Fb "svale" III 660b. |
| A137.3.1.1 | Swastika (hooked cross). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A661.0.8 | Sweet odor in heaven. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A671.2.4.12 | Swift, flaming winds in hell. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A132.7 | Swine-god. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A515.1.2 | Sworn brothers as culture heroes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1587.2 | Tabus instituted by culture hero. S. A. Indian (Tupinamba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 132. |
| A1587.1 | Tabus instituted by God or creator. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1002.2.3 | Talking stone as sign of Doomsday. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (M307.4). |
| A871.0.1 | Taprobane at eastern end of the world. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2612.1 | Tears of Adam and Eve leaving paradise become trees. (Cf. A2681.)—Dh I 223ff. |
| A2612.2 | Tears of Mary at Annunciation become daisies. (Cf. A2651.)— Dh II 7. |
| A139.13 | Temperamental goddess. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 840. |
| A651.1.7 | Ten heavens. Jewish: Neuman; Maori: Clark 186; Tonga: Gifford 18; Tahiti: Henry 164, 343. |
| A2751.2 | Texture of bark of plant. |
| A1344.1 | The "three first cries that made their way to God": the cry of the blood of Abel, etc. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2494.8 | The bear's enemies. (Cf. A2494.10.3.) |
| A137.7 | The bull with three cranes. (cf. A132.6). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2494.1 | The cat's enemies. |
| A977.3.1 | The devil drops stones from apron. (Cf. A963.1.)—England, Ireland: *Baughman. |
| A977.2.2 | The devil throws stones at church or churchmen. (Cf. A963.4.) —England: *Baughman. |
| A977.4 | The devil turns object or animal to stone which is still seen. England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| A1751 | The devil's animals and God's. In the contest between God and the devil, certain animals are made by each. Dh. I 164 (with lists of the animals). Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3081, Legends Nos. 124-130; German: Grimm No. 148. |
| A972.2.2 | The devil's footprint. Eng., Wales, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| A2494.4 | The dog's enemies. |
| A661.2 | The eight paradises. Hindu: Penzer VII 246. |
| A2494.11 | The elephant's enemies. |
| A463.1.1 | The Fates weave. Icel.: Boberg. |
| A463.1 | The Fates. Goddesses who preside over the fates of men.—Wehrhan Die Sage 81; Gaster Thespis 348.—Norse: De la Saussaye 312, Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 32, 36, 47, 131, MacCulloch Eddic 238ff., *Boberg; Greek: Grote I 7; Irish myth: Cross, Beal. 21, 318, 336; Lappish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 256ff.; Estonian: Loorits Grundzüge I 527f.—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A671.2.4 | The fires of hell. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2494.15 | The fish's enemies. |
| A1101 | The four ages of the world. A development of the present order through four stages or periods, the golden, silver, bronze, and iron ages, or the like.—**Encyc. Religion and Ethics s.v. "Ages of the World".—Irish myth: Cross; Greek: Fox 17, Grote I 62; Hindu: Keith 105, Penzer IV 240 n. 1, VII 1 n. 5; Chinese: Ferguson 33. |
| A2851 | The four characteristics of wine. Devil helps Noah plant vineyard and kills various animals over it. These illustrate the four qualities of wine. peacock: brilliant colors; ape: jokes; lion: boldness; hog: drunkenness.—*Dh I 298ff.; *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 244; *Köhler-Bolte I 577; Basset III 31; *Krappe Bull. Hispanique XXXIX 48; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3242; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A841.0.1 | The four world-columns fastened immovably by two gods with their mother's hairs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A486 | The Furies. Goddesses of vengeance.—Greek: Fox 275, Frazer Apollodorus I 5 n. 4; India: Thompson-Balys.—Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 115. |
| A2002.1 | The god Mahadeo turns wood chips into insects. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1402 | The gods build houses, and fashion tools. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 327. |
| A790 | The heavenly lights. |
| A2426.1.4 | The hedgehog's cry. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *278. |
| A2494.13.10 | The hen's enemies. |
| A2494.3 | The hyena's enemies. |
| A2494.14 | The insects' enemies. (Cf. A2494.13.3, A2494.13.10.2, A2494.13.11.1.) |
| A2494.5 | The jackal's enemies. |
| A2494.2 | The leopard's enemies. Benga: Nassau 163, 226 Nos. 20, 33; Congo: Weeks 211 No. 7. |
| A876.1 | The leviathan that surrounds the globe. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2494.7 | The lion's enemies. |
| A1311.1 | The lizard hand. Man's hand is modeled on that of the lizard.—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 288 n. 59; Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 56. |
| A104 | The making of gods. |
| A1095 | The Messianic Age. Jewish: **Neuman. |
| A1282 | The mother of men. Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 93. |
| A465.0.1 | The Nine Muses, patronesses of the arts. Greek: Fox 239, Grote I 10. |
| A651.1.6.1 | The nine ranks (orders) of heaven. Irish myth: Cross (A651.1.2.1.). |
| A1904 | The oldest bird. Irish Myth: Cross. |
| A1958.0.1 | The owl is a baker's daughter who objected to the size of the dough put into the oven for Jesus when he appeared in her house as a beggar. Type 751A (woodpecker). (Cf. A1710.) England, U.S.: Baughman.* |
| A663 | The plains of heaven. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A780 | The planets (comets, etc.).—*Normann Mythen der Sterne (Gotha 1925).—Chinese: Graham. |
| A2494.6 | The rabbit's enemies. |
| A433.2 | The seven grain sisters. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2494.13.11 | The starling's enemies. |
| A724.2 | The sun a golden bowl on the rim of which sits a peacock; both bowl and peacock are in a crystal box, which rests on a flying chariot.—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A220.2 | The sun-god and his family. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A732 | The sun's animals. |
| A468 | The three Graces. Greek: Fox 236, Grote I 10. |
| A2494.10 | The tiger's enemies. |
| A659 | The universe as a whole—miscellaneous. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A650 | The universe as a whole. |
| A1650.1 | The various children of Eve. Eve has so many children that she is ashamed when God pays her a visit. She hides some of them and they fail to receive the blessing that God gives those in sight. Thus arises the differences in classes and peoples.—*BP III 308ff. (Gr. No. 180); *Dh I 247, II 98f.—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 85 No. 41; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 87 No. 758. |
| A153.1 | Theft of ambrosia. Food of the gods stolen.—Hindu: Keith 139; Persian: Carnoy 283. |
| A1415.2 | Theft of fire by animals. *Dh III 92ff.; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3020, Balys Legends Nos. 27f.; Eng.: Baughman; North Carolina: Brown Collection I 632.—Massim of British New Guinea: Dixon 115; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 370, (Ila, Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 345, (Fang): Nassau No. 3; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 289 n. 63 (practically every reference); S. Am. Indian (Guarani): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 93, (Mataco, Toba): Métraux ibid. (1) 367, (Eastern Brazil): Lowie ibid. (1) 434, (Chiriguano): Métraux ibid. (3) 484, RMLP XXXIII 172, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 107-109. |
| A1415.2.1 | Theft of fire by bird. Persian: Carnoy 264 (storm god in form of bird); India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 685, (Jivaro): Steward-Métraux ibid. (3) 627, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 6. |
| A1415.3 | Theft of fire—trick exchange. Child of fire-owner is stolen and then given back in exchange for fire.—*Dh III 110ff. |
| A1415 | Theft of fire. Mankind is without fire. A culture hero steals it from the owner.—**Frazer Fire; *Dh I 142ff.; *Hdwb. d. Märch. II 109b n. 14-15.—Greek: Fox 13, *Frazer Apollodorus I 51 n. 6; Hindu: Keith 36; Finnish: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 238.—Oceanic Dixon 47 n. 31 (Maori), 47 n. 34 (Polynesia—general), 48 n. 35, 36 (Melanesia), 49 (Maori, Chatham Is., Marquesas, Melanesia, Hawaii, Micronesia), 112 (Woodlark Is.), 114 (Motu and Massim of British New Guinea), 182ff. (Indonesia), 281 (Australia); Indonesian: Voorhoeve Overzicht 65; Marquesas: Handy 104; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 227; Tonga: Gifford 22; Eskimo (Ungava): Turner RBAE XI 340; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 289 n. 63, Alexander N. Am. 256, 301f. n. 51; S. Am. Indian (Baikairi, Amazon): Alexander Lat. Am. 313; (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 473, (Botocudo): Métraux ibid. (1) 550, (Tucuna): Nimuendajú ibid. (3) 724, (Tenethara): Wagley-Galvao ibid. (3) 147, (Guarani): Métraux ibid. (3) 93, (Guarporé): Lévi-Strauss ibid. (3) 379, (Tapirape): Wagley-Galvao ibid. (3) 178, (Chamacoco): Métraux MAFLS XL 111, (Choco, Western Colombia): Métraux ibid. 112, (Apapocuvú-Guarani): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 138.—African: Frobenius Atlantis XII 80, (Bushongo): Torday 237, cf. Congo: Weeks 206. Cf. Finnish: Kalevala rune 47. |
| A1411.2 | Theft of light by being swallowed and reborn. The hero transforms himself to a particle. The daughter of the guardian of light swallows him as she is drinking water. He is reborn. As a child in the house he steals light.—India: Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 282 n. 44. |
| A1411 | Theft of light. Light originally absent is stolen by culture hero.—Jewish: Neuman; Hindu: Keith 34.—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 281 n. 42; Eskimo (Smith Sound): Kroeber JAFL XII 205, S. Am. Indian (Tapirape): Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 178. Cf. Finnish: Kalevala rune 47. |
| A154.2 | Theft of magic mead by Odin. *Olrik Edda XXIV 236ff.—Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 54. |
| A758 | Theft of moon. Moon is kept by a monster. It is stolen and brought to earth.—*BP III 288f. Cf. Thompson Tales 281 n. 42; Eskimo (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 483.—Finnish: Kalevala runes 47, 49. |
| A721.1 | Theft of sun. The sun, which is kept by a monster, is stolen and brought to earth.—BP III 288; Dh I 136ff., III 113ff.—Cf. Kaffir: Kidd 238 No. 7; Finnish: Kalevala runes 47, 49.—Eskimo (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 483; Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 60; S. Am. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 683. |
| A1417 | Theft of tablets of fate. From heaven by bird Zu.—Babylonian: Carnoy 264. |
| A1151 | Theft of the seasons. Certain seasons are lacking. A culture hero steals the season from a monster and brings it to his people.—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 288 n. 60a. |
| A651.1.1.1 | Third sky above prevents earth being burned by sun. S. Am. Indian (Witoto): Métraux MAFLS XL 25. |
| A2711.4.2 | Thistle serves as milk-cup for Virgin Mary: white spots on leaves. England: Baughman. |
| A1082.3 | Thor battles Midgard serpent at end of world. *Olrik Ragnarök 481 s.v. "Midgardschlange". |
| A2752 | Thorns on plants. (See A2736).—Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2.1 | Three creators.—Icel.: Boberg, MacCulloch Eddic 327.—Oceanic: Dixon 24; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 42. |
| A463.1.2 | Three fates in house in woods allot destiny to people. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *936. |
| A651.1.1 | Three heavens. Icel.: Snorra Edda Gylf XVII, Boberg.—Hawaii: Thrum 15, Beckwith Myth 42, 74; Maori: Clark 163ff.; S. Am. Indian (Chamacoco): Métraux MAFLS XL 25. |
| A1091.1 | Three horses from dove's egg on last day. *Fb "hest" I 600a. |
| A651.2.2 | Three lower worlds. Finno-Ugric: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 77.—S. Am. Indian (Witoto): Métraux MAFLS XL 25. |
| A878.1.2 | Three wells under the three roots of earth-tree. Icel.: Boberg. |
| A123.1.1 | Three-bodied goddess. Hekate has three bodies standing back to back and looking in three directions.—Greek: Fox 188. |
| A123.3.1.1 | Three-eyed god. *Usener IV 224 n. 1; *Frazer Pausanias III 209; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 32; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2245.1 | Thrush steals woodcock's song. (Cf. A2423.1.1, A2423.2.1.) —Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 18 No. 98. |
| A2271.1 | Thrush teaches dove to build nest. (Cf. A2431.3.1.)—*Type 236; Dh III 191ff.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 17 No. 93; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 88 No. 93. |
| A2423.2.1 | Thrush's beautiful voice. Exchanged with woodcock. (See A2423.1.1, A2245.1.) |
| A2222.1 | Thrush's hospitality to peacock rewarded by being given motley coat of feathers. (Cf. A2411.2.1.1.)—Type 235.—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 90 No. 81. |
| A162.3.2 | Thunder and lightning slay devils. Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian: *Balys Tautosakos Darbai VI (1939) 111—128. |
| A1142.5.1 | Thunder caused by God beating his weapon. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1142.6.1 | Thunder from clashing weapons of warring spirits in sky. S. Am. Indian (Chamacoco): Métraux MAFLS XL 26. |
| A1142.5.1.1 | Thunder from crashing of stones in moon as goddess beats tapa. Samoa: Clark 121. |
| A1142.7 | Thunder from deity separating the winds which try to unite. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1142.2 | Thunder from flying dragon. Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 440. |
| A1142.5.1.2 | Thunder from thunder-spirit beating his children. S. Am. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 684. |
| A284.3.1 | Thunder god or spirit has very long mouth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1142.8 | Thunder is noise of waterskin which rain-god drags along sky floor. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1142.5 | Thunder is sound of God's gun. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1142.9 | Thunder made by giants in sky. Greek: Grote I 5, 8, 12, (Cyclops). |
| A284.3.2 | Thunder spirit lives in world below earth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1142.9.1 | Thunder the drums of dead. Africa (Fang): Trilles 174. |
| A284.2 | Thunderbird. A mythical giant bird usually thought of as a thunder-god.—*Harris Boanerges 13—30 passim, Harris Picus who is also Zeus vii; *Encyc. Religion and Ethics I 529a; Hatt Asiatic Influences 36ff.; Gaster Thespis 135, 363.—Babylonian: Spence 193; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 439; India: Thompson-Balys.—African: Werner African 237.—N. A. Indian: Alexander N. Am. 387 n. 32 *Thompson Tales 318 n. 151c.; S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (3) 55, (Toba): Métraux Myths 110.—Cf. Persian: Carnoy 289 (Saena). |
| A157.1.1 | Thunderbolt as gods' weapon. Greek: Fox 159; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 214, 309, II 1060. |
| A157.1 | Thunderweapon. Stone weapons (axes) brought down by thunderbolt (from Thunder God).—Blinkenberg The Thunder Weapon 1911; Hdwb. d. d. Aberglaubens II 325; Saintyves Corpus du Folklore Prehistorique en France et dans les Colonies Françaises (1934—36) I—III; J. Balys Tautosakos Darbai III 1937 223ff.; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| A913.1 | Tidal wave or surge marks place of death of person. (Cf. A920.1.4, A936.)—Irish myth: Cross. |
| A913.2 | Tide caused by breathing of sea-monster. Maori: Clark 180. |
| A165.2.1.1.2 | Tiger as god's messenger. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2491.4 | Tiger cursed with short sight in day time: good sight only at night. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A132.10 | Tiger-god. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A671.2.14 | Tigers in hell. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A52.2 | Time of creation of the angels. |
| A737.3 | Toad causes eclipses of the sun. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2231.8 | Toad refuses to weep over its dead children: dries up when dead. Cursed by Virgin Mary. (Cf. A2234.4, A2468.2.)—Dh II 247f. |
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