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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 |
|---|---|
| B82.5 | Merman attacked by putting steel in the water. *Fb "nökke" II 725a. |
| B82.6 | Merman caught by fisherman (released). England: Baughman. |
| B82.7 | Merman lays hands on side of canoe. U. S.: Baughman. |
| B83 | Fish with human face. *Chauvin 8 No. 373A n. 2. |
| B90 | Other mythical animals. |
| B91 | Mythical serpent. Borgese "Giganti e Serpenti" Archivio per lo Studio delle tradizioni popolari XX 507ff., XXI 90ff., 161ff.—Hindu: Penzer I 109 n. 2, II 90 n. 2, 266, III 259 n. 1.—Indo-Chinese: Scott 301; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B91.1 | Naga. Serpent demon.—Penzer I 203f., VI 28 n. 2; India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 1354. |
| B91.2 | Plumed serpent. Hopi, Zuсi: Alexander N. Am. 188. |
| B91.3 | Horned snake. Jewish: Neuman; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 357 n. 287f.; (Micmac): Parsons JAFL XXXVIII 95 No. 27; (Cherokee): Alexander N. Am. 68f.; Ladino (Honduras, Nicaragua): Conzemius BBAE CVI 169. |
| B91.4 | Sky-traveling snake. N. A. Indian (Zuсi): Alexander N. Am. 188. |
| B91.5 | Sea-serpent. *Oudemans (A. C.) The Great Sea-Serpent (London 1892). —Norwegian: Storaker (J.T.) Naturrigerne i den norske Folketro (Oslo 1928) 249; Solheim Register 17; Irish myth: Cross; Icel.: Boberg. |
| B91.5.1 | Sea-serpent dilates and contracts. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B91.5.2 | Lake-serpent (monster). Irish myth: Cross. |
| B91.5.2.1 | Lake-serpent (monster) in form of woman. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B91.6 | Serpent causes flood. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B91.7 | Serpent is immortal. Gaster Oldest Stories 81. |
| B92 | Other mythical reptiles. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 125. |
| B93 | Mythical spider. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B94 | Mythical crustacean. |
| B94.1 | Mythical crab. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B95 | Vegetable lamb. Generated from ground. Umbilical cord is in the ground and the lambs will die if it is forcibly severed. They are frightened into severing it themselves and then live. Vertebrae of the neck planted to produce new ones.—*Laufer JAFL XXVIII 115ff. |
| B95.1 | Vegetable lamb born from melons (as from eggs).—Laufer JAFL XXVIII 124. |
| B95.2 | Marine lamb. Wool taken from sea lamb. (Really textiles from shell-fish pinna).—Laufer JAFL XXVIII 103ff. |
| B96 | Beast with human head and shape of smith's bellows. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B98 | Mythical frog. S. A. Indian (Warrau): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 140. |
| B99 | Mythical animals—miscellaneous. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 371, (Zanzibar): Bateman 158 No. 8, (Basuto): Jacottet 70, 200, 276, (Ibo of Nigeria): Thomas 147, (Kaffir): Theal 84, 172. |
| B99.1 | Mythical salamander. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B99.2 | Mythical worm. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B100 | Treasure animals. *Clouston Tales I 123 ff.; India: Thompson-Balys; Penzer I 20 n., VIII 59 n. 3; Cox 510 n. 54. |
| B100.1 | Treasure found in slain helpful animal. *Cox Cinderella passim. —Lithuanian: Leskien 448 No. 25; Breton: Luzel III 134; Portuguese: Pedroso 76 No. 18. |
| B100.2 | Magic animal supplies treasure. *Cox 510; BP III 60, I 346 (Gr. Nos. 130, 36).—Maliseet: Thompson CColl II 413. |
| B101 | Animals with members of precious metal (jewels). |
| B101.1 | Bird with golden head. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| B101.1.1 | Bird with wings of silver. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B101.1.2 | Bird with golden feet. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B101.2 | Treasure-hog. Alternate bristles of gold and silver; at each step a side of pork falls from him.—Fb "galt". |
| B101.2.1 | Boar with golden bristles. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 109, 266. |
| B101.3 | Ram with golden fleece. Cox 510 n. 54.—Icel.: *Boberg; Greek: Fox 108. |
| B101.4 | Hind with golden horns. Greek: *Frazer Apollodorus I 190 n. 1. |
| B101.4.1 | Stag with golden antlers and silver feet. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B101.4.2 | Stag with gold and silver on horns and neck, and a silver bell. Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 273. |
| B101.5 | Monster (whale) with golden teeth. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B101.6 | Fish with gold and silver heads. *Fb "fiske". |
| B101.7 | Serpent with jewel in head. (Cf B112, B176).—*BP II 464; Cosquin Les contes indiens 256ff.; Fb "ædelsten".—- Penzer IV 245; Indonesian: Dixon 159 n. 20, 328 n. 20; India: *Thompson-Balys; U.S.: Baughman; Cherokee: Alexander N. Am. 68f; Africa (Cameroon): Meinhof 60. |
| B101.8 | Cow with silver horns. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B101.8.1 | Big ox with gold and silver in the horns. Icel: *Boberg. |
| B101.9 | Mongoose with golden hair and silver ears. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B102 | Animal of precious metal (jewels). |
| B102.1 | Golden bird. Bird with golden feathers. *Type 550.—Cox 510 n. 54; Fb "fugl", "guldfugl", "fjer"—India: Thompson-Balys; Hindu: Keith 149, Tawney II 507; Panchatantra (trans. Ryder) 333; Missouri French: Carrière. |
| B102.1.1 | Golden hawk. Icel.: *Boberg. |
| B102.1.2 | Golden peacock. India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 1052. |
| B102.1.3 | Golden goose. India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 581, 1264. |
| B102.2 | Golden horse. (Cf. B181.)—Cox 510 n. 54; Fb "guldhest"; Danish: Kristensen Danske Sagn III (1895) 461ff., (1931) 316ff.; Icel.: *Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys; Missouri French: Carrière. |
| B102.3 | Golden deer. India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 1131. |
| B102.4 | Golden fish. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "poisson"; India: Thompson-Balys; Irish myth: Cross. |
| B102.4.1 | Fish of silver. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B102.5 | Golden calf. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| B102.5.1 | Silver calf. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 85. |
| B102.6 | Golden serpent. German: Grimm No. 136. |
| B102.7 | Golden dog. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B102.8 | Golden crab. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 249. |
| B103 | Treasure-producing animals. |
| B103.0.1 | Treasure-producing turkey. N. Am. Indian (Zuсi): Cushing Zuсi Folk-Tales 54ff. |
| B103.0.2 | Magic bird produces unlimited food. Irish myth: Cross; Indonesian: Dixon 238 n. 51. |
| B103.0.3 | Gold-producing ram. Penzer I 20 n. |
| B103.0.4 | Gold-producing serpent. Penzer I 20 n. |
| B103.0.4.1 | Grateful snake gives gold piece daily. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B103.0.5 | Treasure-giving goat. Fb "buk" IV 77a; Boberg. |
| B103.0.6 | Gold-producing lion. Penzer I 20 n. |
| B103.0.7 | Magic jewel obtained from elephant. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| B103.0.8 | Treasure received from tiger. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B103.1 | Treasure-dropping animals. |
| B103.1.1 | Gold-producing ass. Droppings of gold.—*Type 563; **Aarne JSFO XXVII (1909) 1—96; Cox 510 n. 54; Penzer V 11 n. 1; *BP I 349ff. (Gr. No. 36).—Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "âne"; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 10; Missouri French: Carrière; Italian: Basile Pentamerone I No. 1; Philippine: Fansler MAFLS XII 196; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| B103.1.2 | Cow drops gold dung. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| B103.1.2.1 | Pearl-dropping cow. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B103.1.3 | Gold-producing dog. Droppings of gold.—Penzer V 11 n. 1; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 35f. |
| B103.1.4 | Gold-making deer. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 35ff. |
| B103.1.5 | Gold-making bird. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 35f. |
| B103.1.6 | Magic tortoise fed with salt gives pearls. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 222. |
| B103.2 | Treasure-laying animals. |
| B103.2.1 | Treasure-laying bird. Bird lays money or golden eggs or an egg at every step.—Köhler-Bolte I 409; Cox 510 n. 54; Fb "höne" I 570b.—Icel.: *Boberg; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "oiseau"; India: *Thompson-Balys, Panchatantra III 14, (Ryder tr.) 359. |
| B103.3 | Animal giving treasure as milk. |
| B103.3.1 | Goat giving coins instead of milk. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| B103.4 | Animal spitting (vomiting) treasure. |
| B103.4.1 | Fish with coin in mouth. Dh II 180. |
| B103.4.1.1 | Silver and gold run from cod's mouth. Type 1654*. |
| B103.4.2 | Serpent with jewel in his mouth. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| B103.4.2.1 | Grateful snake spits out lump of gold for his rescuer. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B103.4.2.2 | Snake vomits jewels. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B103.4.3 | Dog vomits gold and silver. Irish myth: Cross (B109.1.1). |
| B103.5 | Animal laying treasure in water. |
| B103.5.1 | Serpent lays treasure in lake. Swiss: Jegerlehner 305, n. 3. |
| B103.6 | Animal producing treasure by bite. |
| B103.6.1 | Serpent's bite produces ornaments and clothes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B103.7 | Animal producing treasure at death. |
| B103.7.1 | When destructive bird is killed, barn is found full of gold. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B105 | Animal bearing precious ornaments. |
| B105.1 | Hind with gold chain on neck. *Fb "hind". |
| B105.2 | Deer with string of pearls around its neck. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B106 | Animal lying on treasure. Serpent with gold under him.—Fb "lindorm" II 433b. |
| B107 | Animal with treasure inside it. |
| B107.1 | Fish with ingot of gold inside it. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B108 | Animal as patron of wealth. |
| B108.1 | Serpent as patron of wealth. Japanese: Anesaki 331. |
| B109 | Treasure animals—miscellaneous. |
| B109.1 | Magic spider catches pearls. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 222. |
| B109.2 | Centipede plays at night with pearl. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 232f. |
| B110 | Treasure-producing parts of animals. |
| B112 | Treasure-producing serpent's crown. (Cf. B108.1, B115.1, B176).—Type 672; BP II 463f.—Icel.: *Boberg; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 132 no. 79; Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 46 No. 79; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 73 No. 233. |
| B113 | Treasure-producing parts of bird. **Aarne MSFO XXV 176 (extensive list of parts). |
| B113.1 | Treasure-producing bird-heart. (Cf. D1015.1.1.) Brings riches when eaten.—**Aarne MSFO XXV 176; *Type 567; Penzer I 19 n 2; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B113.2 | Treasure-producing bird-head. (Cf. D1011.0.1.)—*Aarne MSFO XXV 176. |
| B113.3 | Treasure from bird's feathers. German: Grimm Nos. 60, 64. |
| B114 | Treasure-producing part of sheep. |
| B114.1 | Treasure-producing sheepskin. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B115 | Animal with horn of plenty. *Cox Cinderella 473 n. 2.—Greek: Fox 93.—India: *Thompson-Balys.—Africa (Kaffir): Theal 169, (Basuto): Jacottet 240 No. 35. |
| B115.1 | Ear-cornucopia. Animal furnishes treasure or supplies from its ears.—*Cox Cinderella 475 n. 2.—*Fb "tyr" III 908a, "øre" III 1181a.—Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "oreille", "boeuf", "nourriture". |
| B115.2 | Wing-cornucopia. Turkey supplies treasure from its wings.—Southern Ute: Lowie JAFL XXXVII 85 No. 56. |
| B115.3 | Animal with tail of plenty. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B119 | Treasure-producing parts of animals—miscellaneous. |
| B119.1 | Dog (whose skin) turns water to wine (mead). Irish myth: Cross. |
| B119.2 | Treasure produced by goat's entrails. German: Grimm No. 130. |
| B119.3 | Armadillo with silver plate over its forehead. S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 71. B120—B169. |
| B120 | Wise animals. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B120.0.1 | Animals have second sight. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B121 | Beasts with magic wisdom. |
| B121.1 | Dog with magic wisdom.—Krappe "The dog king" Scandinavian Studies XVII (1942) 148ff., Icel.: *Boberg; Jewish: Neuman; Irish: Beal. XXI 310. |
| B121.1.1 | Infallible hunting-dog. Greek: Fox 72; Irish myth: Cross. |
| B121.2 | Fox as alchemist. Chinese: Werner 381, Krappe CFQ III (1944) 125f. |
| B121.3 | Cat with magic wisdom. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B121.4 | Ass (mule) with magic wisdom. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B121.5 | Ox with magic wisdom. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B121.6 | Lion with magic wisdom. German: Grimm No. 67. |
| B122 | Bird with magic wisdom. (Cf. A1904, B130, B211.3.)—Persian: Carnoy 291; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| B122.0.1 | Wise magpie. Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 57. |
| B122.0.2 | Wise golden peacock. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B122.0.3 | Wise owl. India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 1038. |
| B122.0.4 | Prophesying parrot. India: *Thompson-Balys, Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 1038. |
| B122.0.5 | Wise eagle (in Yggdrasil). Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 332. |
| B122.1 | Bird as adviser. *BP II 534.—Irish myth: Cross; Greek Grote I 105; Icel.: Gering-Symons Edda-Kommentar II 226; Völsunga saga ch. 19—20 (19); English and Germanic: Wimberly Folklore in Ballads 44ff.—India: *Thompson-Balys; Tibet: Schiefner-Ralston Tibetan Tales 129; Japanese: Ikeda; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 67; Africa: Frobenius Atlantis III 244, IV 56; Am. Negro (Georgia): Harris Remus 107 No. 22, Nights 118 No. 22; S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 142. |
| B122.1.1 | Birds tell a secret. Chauvin II 107.—Icel.: *Boberg, Ragnars saga ch. 9 (8) p. 134, Völsunga saga ch. 19—20 (19). |
| B122.1.2 | Bird reveals druidic secrets. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B122.2 | Birds as reporters of sights and sounds. Sit on Odin's shoulder and report what they see and hear.—Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 65, Krappe Etudes 29ff. |
| B122.3 | Bird can recite sacred writings. Persian: Carnoy 290. |
| B122.4 | Bird announces time for sunrise and sunset. Chinese: Werner 186f. |
| B122.5 | Wise mother eagle distinguishes between stupid and intelligent eaglets. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B122.6 | Bird summarizes history. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B122.7 | Cock helper advises of coming enemy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B122.8 | Parrot scout sent to enemy camp to ascertain strength. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 980. |
| B123 | Wise reptile. |
| B123.1 | Wise serpent. (cf. B161—165, B176.)—*Scott Thumb 173.—Hebrew: Genesis 3:1; Jewish: Neuman; Arabian: Burton III 145, V 305, 328, 390; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B123.1.1 | Serpent's wisdom from eating from tree of knowledge. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B124 | Wise fish. (Cf. B175.) |
| B124.1 | Salmon as oldest and wisest of animals. Welsh: MacCulloch Celtic 189; Irish myth: Cross. |
| B124.1.1 | Salmon of knowledge. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B126 | Amphibian with magic knowledge. |
| B126.1 | Frog with magic knowledge. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B130 | Truth-telling animals. |
| B131 | Bird of truth. A bird which reveals the truth. (Cf. B122, B141, B172.) —*Type 707; *BP II 380 (Gr. No. 96); *Köhler-Bolte I 118; *Fb "fugl".—Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "oiseau"; Jewish: Neuman; Arabian: Burton Arabian Nights SV 245; India: *Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda.—Africa (Angola): Chatelain 153 No. 16, (Ibo [Nigeria]): Thomas 48, (Fjort): Dennett 92 No. 23, (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 78 No. 12. |
| B131.0.1 | Truth-telling owl. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B131.1 | Bird reveals murder. *Type 781; *BP I 275 n. 1; Hdwb. d. deutschen Märchens s.v. "Ibycus".—English: Child II 144, 146—155; Irish: Beal XXI 336.—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 312, (Zulu): Callaway 219, 299, (Thonga): Junod 242, (Basuto): *Jacottet 56 n. 1.—Jamaica: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 266 No. 73.—Japanese: Ikeda.—S. A. Indian (Carib): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 129, 147, (Chiriguano): ibid. 162, Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 484, (Yuracare): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 144. |
| B131.1.1 | Crows reveal the killing of mare. Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 359. |
| B131.2 | Bird reveals treachery. (Cf. B133.2.)—*Type 707; *BP II 380ff. (Gr. No. 96); Köhler-Bolte I 277; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B131.3 | Bird betrays woman's infidelity. (Cf. B134.1.)—Campbell Seven Sages xcviii—Greek: Fox 280; English: Child II 260; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 731. |
| B131.4 | Bird reveals dead rider. Calls out in human voice at seeing living woman riding behind dead man.—English: Child V 65. |
| B131.5 | Peacock's feathers ruffled in presence of poison. (Cf. B143.1.2.) —Penzer I 110 n. 1. |
| B131.6 | Bird betrays hiding-place of the Virgin. English: Child II 8.—Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 198f. |
| B131.7 | Birds reveal innocence of suspect. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B131.8 | Bird warns to hurry. Chinese: Graham. |
| B132 | Truth-speaking cow. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| B133 | Truth-speaking horse. Type 531; BP III (Gr. No. 126). |
| B133.0.1 | Truth-telling ass (mule). Jewish: Neuman. |
| B133.0.1.1 | Ass alone knows where hidden wind can be found. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B133.1 | Horse warns hero of danger. English: Child No. 43; Icel.: *Boberg; Irish myth: Cross; Lithuanian: Leskien-Brugmann 359ff.; Russian: v. Löwis of Menar Russische Märchen 13, Rambaud La Russie épique 49; Persian: Nöldeke Das iranische Volksepos 58; India: Thompson-Balys; Missouri French: Carrière. |
| B133.2 | Horse reveals treachery. (Cf. B131.2.)—Africa (Mpongwe): Nassau 68 No. 15. |
| B133.3 | Speaking horse-head. The helpful magic horse (B181) is killed (B330). The head is preserved and placed on the wall. It speaks and reveals the treachery practiced against the heroine.—*Type 533; **W. Ljungman Tvе Folkminnesundersökningar (Göteborg 1925) 41ff; *BP II 273 (Gr. No. 89) 274 n. 1.—Hindu: Keith 122. |
| B133.4 | Horse refuses to carry one who speaks falsehood. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B133.4.1 | Horses refuse to remain with owner who has been cursed by clerics. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B134 | Truth-telling dog. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B134.1 | Dog betrays woman's infidelity. (Cf. B1313.) India. Thompson-Balys. —Zuсi: Handy JAFL XXXI 464 No. 17. |
| B134.1.1 | Truth-telling dog tells of incest. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B134.2 | Dog betrays murder. *Fb "hund" I 678b.—Africa (Angola): Chatelain 127 No. 12. |
| B134.3 | Dog as animal of warning. *Fb "hund" I 678.—Icel.: Boberg, India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B134.3.1 | Dog warns of coming. Chinese: Graham 123, p. 3. |
| B134.4 | Dog chooses between opposing tribes. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B134.5 | Dog returns from dead to clear master of murder. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B135 | Truth-telling cat. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B136 | Truth-telling deer. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B140 | Prophetic animals. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B141 | Prophetic domestic beasts. |
| B141.1 | Prophetic goat. Africa (Angola): Chatelain 53 No. 2. |
| B141.2 | Prophetic horse. *Howey Horse in Magic and Myth 156ff.; *Malten Jahrb. d. Kaiserl. deutschen archäologischen Inst. XXIX (1914) 179ff.; Irish myth: Cross; Greek: Iliad Book XIX line 407. |
| B141.2.1 | Horse weeps for master's (saint's) approaching death. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B141.3 | Ass's behavior predicts the weather. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| B141.4 | Dog with magic sight. Fb. "hund" IV 227a. |
| B141.4.1 | Dog (transformed man) prophesies coming of enemy. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B141.5 | Prophetic cow. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B142 | Prophetic wild beasts. |
| B142.1 | Prophetic fox. Chinese: Werner 370. |
| B142.2 | Prophetic jackal. |
| B142.2.1 | Jackal gives warning. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B142.3 | Prophetic hart. Alphabet of Tales No. 416. |
| B142.4 | Prophetic lion. German: Grimm No. 67. |
| B143 | Prophetic bird. (Cf. B172.)—*Types 516, 517; BP I 322f., 323 n. 1; Rösch FFC LXXVII 116; Hdwb. d. Abergl. s.v. "Angang" I 428; India: *Thompson-Balys.—Jamaica: *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 266 No. 73. |
| B143.0.1 | Swan as prophetic bird. Fb "Svane" III 663; Handwb. d. Abergl. VII 1403.—Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 262. |
| B143.0.2 | Magpie as prophetic bird. Fb. "Skade" III 219; Handwb. d. Abergl. III 796 "Elster". |
| B143.0.3 | Owl as prophetic bird. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B143.0.4 | Raven as prophetic bird. Jewish: Neuman; Icel.: Boberg. |
| B143.0.5 | Hen as prophetic bird. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B143.0.6 | Dove as prophetic bird. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B143.0.7 | Eagle as prophetic bird. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B143.0.8 | Crow as prophetic bird. |
| B143.0.8.1 | Crows announce coming of hero to otherworld. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B143.1 | Bird gives warning. (Cf. B131.5.)—English: Child I 31ff., 37, II 206 n., 496f., III 10, IV 441, V 284; India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda; Jamaica: *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 266 No. 73.—Africa (Benga): Nassau 142, No. 16. |
| B143.1.1 | Warning crow. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| B143.1.2 | Warning peacock. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B143.1.3 | Warning parrot. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B143.1.4 | Falcon saves master from drinking poisoned water. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B143.1.5 | Golden cock warns against attack. Icel.: *Boberg. |
| B143.1.6 | Captured goose warns tortoise: released in gratitude. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B143.2 | Bird describes doomsday. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B144 | Prophetic fish. (Cf. B175.) |
| B144.1 | King of fishes prophesies hero's birth. *Type 303; BP I 528 (Gr. Nos. 60, 85).—Africa (Angola): Chatelain 66 No. 3. |
| B145 | Prophetic reptile. |
| B145.1 | Prophetic tortoise. Chinese: Ferguson 100. |
| B145.2 | Prophetic snake. Greek: Iliad Book II, lines 308—319. |
| B145.3 | Prophetic worm. S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 68. |
| B147 | Animals furnish omens. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B147.1 | Beasts furnish omens. |
| B147.1.1 | Beasts of good omen. |
| B147.1.2 | Beasts of ill-omen. |
| B147.1.2.1 | Fox as beast of ill-omen. Chinese: Werner 370; Icel.: Boberg. |
| B147.1.2.2 | Cat as beast of ill-omen. Fb "kat".—Irish myth: Cross. |
| B147.1.2.3 | Mouse as beast of ill-omen. *Fb "mus" II 631a. |
| B147.1.2.4 | Jackal as beast of ill-omen. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B147.2 | Birds furnish omens. *Frazer Fasti II 203, III 378ff.; Irish myth: Cross. |
| B147.2.1 | Bird of good omen. |
| B147.2.1.1 | Raven as bird of good omen. Irish myth: Cross; Icel.: Boberg. |
| B147.2.1.2 | Eagle as omen of victory. Icel.: *Boberg. |
| B147.2.2 | Bird of ill-omen. (Cf. B172.)—*Hdwb. d. Abergl. s.v. "Angang" I 428; German: Grimm No. 105. |
| B147.2.2.1 | Crow as bird of ill-omen. *Fb "krage".—Icel.: Boberg; Hindu: Tawney I 284, 465 n.; Irish myth: Cross; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| B147.2.2.2 | Gull as bird of ill-omen. *Fb "mеge". |
| B147.2.2.3 | Raven as bird of ill-omen. *Krappe Etudes 31ff.; Fb "ravn" III 22a; Irish myth: Cross; Icel.: Boberg. |
| B147.2.2.4 | Owl as bird of ill-omen. Hdwb. d. Abergl. II 1073 s.v. "Eule". —Alphabet of Tales Nos. 87, 88.—India: Thompson-Balys; Icel.: Boberg. |
| B147.2.2.5 | Eagle as bird of ill-omen. Irish myth: Cross; Icel.: Boberg. |
| B147.2.2.6 | Vulture as bird of ill-omen. Irish myth: Cross. |
| B147.2.2.7 | Peacock as bird of ill-omen. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B147.3 | Other animals furnish omens. |
| B147.3.0.1 | Divination by fall of house-lizard. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B147.3.1 | Other animals furnish good omens. |
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