Folklore Database · Browse
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 |
|---|---|
| D1648.1.1 | Tree bends only to heroine. *Type 511; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1648.1.2 | Tree (forest) bows down to holy person (saint). Dh II 30ff.; Irish: *Cross, O'Suilleabhain 108, Beal XXI 334; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| D1648.1.2.1 | Tree bows to help Virgin Mary in childbirth. (Cf. V250.) *Dh II 10; Irish: O'Suilleabhain 1(a), Beal XXI 304. |
| D1648.1.2.2 | Twig of a tree bows down and releases a bag with relics when the man makes a promise. *Loomis White Magic 129f. |
| D1648.2 | Flower bends only to certain person. (Cf. D975.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1648.3 | Stones prostrate themselves before certain persons. (Cf. D931.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1649 | Miscellaneous automatic objects. |
| D1649.1 | Magic object keeps falling down. |
| D1649.1.1 | Magic elk's head keeps falling down. (Cf. D1011.) N. A. Indian (Tillamook): Boas JAFL XI 135. |
| D1649.1.2 | Magic birds keep falling off perch. *Type 313; Thompson River: Thompson CColl II 372. |
| D1649.2 | Magic object comes at owner's call. (Cf. D1651.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1649.2.1 | Harp comes at owner's call. (Cf. D1231.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1649.3 | Stones for heating water heated automatically in other world. (Cf. D931.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1649.4 | Dung and wood burst into flames of their own accord. (Cf. D956, D1026.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1649.5 | Magic crystals automatically heat for cooking. (Cf. D1601.6.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 972. |
| D1649.6 | Objects rebel against their owners. American Indian (Maya, Andes, Chiriguano): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 484. |
| D1649.7 | Magic wood stick makes noise at night. (Cf. D956.) Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 151. |
| D1650 | Other characteristics of magic objects. |
| D1651 | Magic object obeys master alone. *Type 565; Penzer III 40.—Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas III 21, *Neuman; N. A. Indian (Micmac): Rand 34 No. 6 (Iroquois): Smith RBAE II 95, (Thompson River): Teit MAFLS VI 31, (Seneca): Curtin-Hewitt RBAE XXXII 264 No. 50. |
| D1651.1 | Only master is able to bend bow. (Cf. D1091.) Greek: Fox 139 (Odysseus.) |
| D1651.1.1 | Spear can be wielded by only one person. (Cf. D1084.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1651.2 | Magic cudgel works only for master. (Cf. D1094.) *Type 563; *BP I 349ff.; *Aarne JSFO XXVII 1—96 passim; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 9. |
| D1651.3 | Magic cooking-pot obeys only master. (Cf. D1601.10.1, D1171.1.) *Type 565; *BP II 438ff.; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *568. |
| D1651.4 | Inexhaustible pitcher stops pouring only at owner's command. (Cf. D1171.4, D1652.) Penzer V 3 n. 1. |
| D1651.5 | Dead beggar's stick will not stay still until back in beggar's service. (Cf. D1254.) Fb "kjæp". |
| D1651.6 | Oracular image refuses information except to hero. (Cf. D1311.7.) Dickson 194. |
| D1651.7 | Magic musical instrument plays only for owner. (Cf. D1210.) Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 176 No. 25. |
| D1651.7.1 | Magic harp plays only for owner. (Cf. D1231.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1651.7.2 | Magic wishing-drum works only for owner. (Cf. D1211.) Africa (Benga): Nassau 113 No. 11. |
| D1651.7.3 | Magic flageolet stolen but loses its magic power. (Cf. D1224.1.) Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 75 No. 594*. |
| D1651.8 | Door will open only for hero. (Cf. D1146.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1651.9 | Bonds cannot be loosed save by man who tied them. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1651.9.1 | Bonds can be loosed only by comrades of man who tied them. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1651.10 | Apple (or ball) containing man's soul can be split only by man's own sword. (Cf. D981.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1651.11 | Stolen gun works only for master. (Cf. D838, D1096.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1651.12 | Box can be opened only by right person. (Cf. D1170.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1651.13 | Jewel responds to owner's voice. (Cf. D1070.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1651.14 | Magic clock flies only at owner's command. Easter Island: Métraux Ethnology 367. |
| D1652 | Inexhaustible object. Keeps magically renewing itself or expanding. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "inépuisables". |
| D1652.0.1 | Magic object causes thing to become inexhaustible. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 107. |
| D1652.1 | Inexhaustible food. (Cf. D1030, and in general D1470—D1499.) Fb "tønde" III 934b; Irish: *Cross, Plummer clxxxiv; India: *Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Anesaki 315; Java: Dixon 209; Philippine: ibid. 221ff.; Melanesia: ibid. 224 n. 28; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 335 n. 210, (Calif.): Gayton and Newman 70, 100. |
| D1652.1.0.1 | Miraculous increasing of small quantity of victuals or drinks to feed a great number of people. *Loomis White Magic 86. |
| D1652.1.1 | Inexhaustible bread. (Cf. D1031.1.) *Saintyves éssais 231ff.; *Fb "brød" IV 74b; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "pain"; England: Baughman; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. Cf. Mark 6:41ff. |
| D1652.1.2 | Cake magically increases. (Cf. D1031.2.) Type 751. |
| D1652.1.3 | Inexhaustible grain. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.1.3.1 | Inexhaustible rice. Rice cooked from a single kernel. (Cf. D1033.1.) Chinese: Graham; Indonesian: DeVries' list No. 206. |
| D1652.1.3.2 | Inexhaustible corn. (Cf. D965.8.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1652.1.3.3 | Inexhaustible wheat. (Cf. D1033.2.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1652.1.4 | Ever-renewing cheese. (Cf. D1036.1.) Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 318 No. 3, 321 No. 59. |
| D1652.1.5 | Inexhaustible chestnut. (Cf. D1035.1.) N. A. Indian (Seneca): Curtin-Hewitt RBAE XXXII 148, 187, 199, 503. |
| D1652.1.6 | Inexhaustible coconut. (Cf. D1035.2.) Leper's Island: Dixon 127. |
| D1652.1.7 | Inexhaustible fruit. |
| D1652.1.7.1 | Inexhaustible apple. (Cf. D981.1.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1652.1.7.2 | Magic banana skin always full of fruit. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 493. |
| D1652.1.8 | Magic pill on which one feeds self for years. (Cf. D1243.) *Chauvin VIII 133 No. 126. |
| D1652.1.9 | Inexhaustible meat. (Cf. D1032.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.1.9.1 | Inexhaustible pig. (Cf. B184.3.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1652.1.9.1.1 | Inexhaustible boar's flesh. Danish: Grundtvig Gamle danske Minder I (1854) No. 248; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 313, Boberg. |
| D1652.1.9.2 | Inexhaustible sheep. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1652.1.10 | Inexhaustible fish. Irish myth: Cross; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 20. |
| D1652.1.10.1 | Loaves and fishes, eaten at night, restored next morning through power of saint. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1652.2 | Inexhaustible drink. (Cf. D1040, D1472.1.16.) *Fb "drikke". Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 310 No. 30; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.3 | Inexhaustible milk. (Cf. D1018.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.3.1 | Cow with inexhaustible milk. Irish myth: *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.3.2 | Goat with inexhaustible milk. Norse: MacCulloch Eddic 313f. |
| D1652.4 | Magic gun is always loaded. (Cf. D1096.1.) Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 49 No. 330. |
| D1652.5 | Inexhaustible vessel. (Cf. D1171.) *BP I 361; *Aarne JSFO XXVII 1—96 passim; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; India: *Thompson-Balys. See also all references to motifs D1470—D1475, as indicated below. |
| D1652.5.1 | Magic goblet (cup) cannot be filled. (Cf. D1171.6.2, D1472.1.14.) Irish myth: Cross; England: Baughman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.5.2 | Inexhaustible barrel. (Cf. D1171.9.) England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| D1652.5.3 | Inexhaustible measure (for meal or flour). Canada, Scotland, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| D1652.5.4 | Inexhaustible pitcher. (Cf. D1171.4.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.5.4.1 | Inexhaustible pitcher of milk. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.5.5 | Inexhaustible vase of bonbons. (Cf. D1171.7.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.5.6 | Inexhaustible bowl. (Cf. 1170.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 1026; Korean: Zong in-Sob 43. |
| D1652.5.7 | Inexhaustible pot. (Cf. D1171.1.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 849, 969, II 656. |
| D1652.5.8 | Inexhaustible food basket. (Cf. D1171.11.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 414. |
| D1652.5.9 | Inexhaustible food bag. (Cf. D1193.) Africa (Fang): Tessman 157f. |
| D1652.5.10 | Inexhaustible rice-stores. (Cf. D1033.1.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 934. |
| D1652.5.11 | Inexhaustible meal sack. (Cf. D1193.) U.S.: *Baughman. |
| D1652.6 | Ever-burning lamp. (Cf. D1162.1, D1645.) Chauvin V 4 No. 443; Jewish: Gaster Exempla 220 No. 163, *Neuman; Fb "lys" II 483a. |
| D1652.7 | Unfading garlands. (Cf. D975.) Penzer I 100, II 22ff., IX 53 n. 2; Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1652.8 | Inexhaustible cloth. (Cf. D1051, D1052, D1652.12.) Irish: Plummer clxxxiv, *Cross; Japanese: Anesaki 315. |
| D1652.9 | Monkey cut in two by magic sword becomes two monkeys. (Cf. D1081.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.10 | Inexhaustible fuel. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1652.10.1 | Inexhaustible firewood. (Cf. D1298.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1652.11 | Ever-burning candle. (Cf. D1162.2.) Irish myth: Cross; *Loomis White Magic 32f., 87. |
| D1652.12 | Mantle ever new. (Cf. D1053.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1652.13 | Everlasting wine-odor. (Cf. D1046.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1652.14 | Sheep with inexhaustible wool. (Cf. B184.6, B412.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1652.15 | Inexhaustible well. (Cf. D926.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1652.15.1 | Inexhaustible spring. (Cf. D927.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1652.15.2 | Inexhaustible water-hole. (Cf. D928.) Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen I 180. |
| D1652.16 | Lime (for building church) miraculously renewed by power of saint. Irish myth. Cross. |
| D1652.17 | Inexhaustible horn. (Cf. D1171.6.3.) Cox 473. |
| D1652.18 | Inexhaustible larder. U.S.: Baughman. |
| D1652.19 | Inexhaustible human liver. (Cf. D1003.) Greek: Grote I 74 (Prometheus). |
| D1652.20 | Inexhaustible sacrificial blood. (Cf. D1003.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1653 | Infallible article. |
| D1653.1 | Infallible weapon. *Hdwb. d. Abergl. III 2. |
| D1653.1.1 | Infallible sword. (Cf. D1081.) Penzer I 109 n. 1, VI 72 n. 1, VIII 154 n. 2; *Thien 30; *Fb "sværd" III 690a; Welsh: MacCulloch Celtic 191, 198; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 67 No. 508A*; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 10. |
| D1653.1.1.1 | Sword causes a man's death every time it is drawn. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 267 (Dainslef), 268 (Tyrfing), *Boberg. |
| D1653.1.2 | Unerring spear. (Cf. D1084.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Greek: Fox 72 (Procris); Hindu: Keith 140. |
| D1653.1.2.1 | Gloves make spear-cast infallible. (Cf. D1066.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1653.1.3 | Infallible sling. (Cf. D1087.) Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 90. |
| D1653.1.4 | Unerring bow. Always hits mark. (Cf. D1091). Type 592. |
| D1653.1.5 | Unerring arrow. (Cf. D1092.) Icelandic: Anssaga Bogsveigis 327; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "flèches"; Greek: Fox 84, 131; India: *Thompson-Balys; Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 70. |
| D1653.1.6 | Unerring stone missile. (Cf. D1093.) S. A. Indian (Fuegian): Alexander Lat. Am. 340. |
| D1653.1.7 | Infallible gun. (Cf. D1096.1.) Types *304, *594; *Fb "skyde" III 345b, "bøsse" IV 86b; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "fusil". |
| D1653.1.8 | Magic mirror as infallible weapon. (Cf. D1080, D1163.) Chinese: Werner 161. |
| D1653.1.9 | Infallible dagger. (Cf. D1083.1.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1653.2 | Infallible fish-hook. (Cf. D1209.5.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1654 | Immovable object. *Fb "tung" III 893a; *Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1654.0.1 | Magic immovability of saints (or their possessions). *Toldo Studien zur vgl. Littgsch. IV 83; Loomis White Magic 56f.; Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1654.0.2 | Magic stone, hitting object, renders it immovable. (Cf. D931.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1654.1 | Stone (rock) refuses to be moved. (Cf. D931.) *Fb "sten" III 553a; Irish: Plummer clvii, Cross; England, Ireland, Wales: *Baughman; Jewish: Neuman; Aztec: Alexander Lat. Am. 118. |
| D1654.1.1 | Immovable stone moved by saint. (Cf. D930.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1654.1.1.1 | Stone rolls off well-top after saint has prayed. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1654.2 | Immovable apples. (Cf. C981.1.) Fb "æble" III 1135b. |
| D1654.3 | Indelible blood. (Cf. D1003.) *Type 312; BP I 404ff.; *Fb "blod" IV 48b. |
| D1654.3.1 | Indelible mark. *Loomis White Magic 119. |
| D1654.3.1.1 | Indelible writing: the scraped word found written as before. (Cf. D1266.1.) *Loomis White Magic 85. |
| D1654.4 | Immovable weapon. |
| D1654.4.1 | Sword can be moved only by right person. (Cf. D1081.) *Fb "sværd" III 690b.—Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1654.4.1.1 | Sword can only be used by strong hero. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1654.4.2 | Arrow can be moved only by owner. (Cf. D1092.) Seneca: Curtin-Hewitt RBAE XXXII 318 No. 58, 514 No. 109. |
| D1654.4.3 | Lance imbedded in earth cannot be moved. (Cf. D1086.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1654.4.4 | Magic spear cannot be pulled out of ground. (Cf. D1084.) India: *Thompson-Balys; Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 136. |
| D1654.4.5 | Dagger sticks to killer's hand. (Cf. D1083.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1654.5 | Wagon refuses to move. (Cf. D1113.) *Fb "vogn" III 1078a.; Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1654.5.1 | Chariot refuses to move. (Cf. D1114.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1654.6 | Ship refuses to move. (Cf. D1123.) Type 425; Tegethoff 13; *Fb "skib" III 242b; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 101 n. 3, 109 n. 4; India: *Thompson-Balys; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1654.7 | Statues that cannot be removed. (Cf. D1268.) Basset RTP XXVI 22 and succeeding numbers. |
| D1654.8 | Picture that cannot be removed in ship. (Cf. D1266.2, D1654.6.) *Fb "skib" III 242b, "tung" III 893a. |
| D1654.8.1 | Sacred image impossible to remove from the spot. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1654.9 | Corpse in coffin refuses to be moved in wagon. (Cf. D1654.5, E272.1, E411.0.3.) *Fb "ligkiste" II 421b, "tung" III 893a, "vogn" III 1078a, "hest" I 599b.; U.S.: Baughman; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1654.9.1 | Corpse cannot be moved. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1654.10 | Bell refuses to be moved. (Cf. D1213.) Fb "tung" III 893a; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 72 No. 607. |
| D1654.10.1 | Bell sunk in sea can be raised only under certain conditions. Norlind Skattsägner 60; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 73 No. 614; England: *Baughman. |
| D1654.11 | Paper in hand which none but king can remove. (Cf. D1266.1.) Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 86 No. 754*B. |
| D1654.12 | Horse magically becomes immovable. (Cf. B181.) Wesselski Bebel II 80 No. 179. |
| D1654.13 | Woman can be lifted only by her lover. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1654.14 | Severed head cannot be moved from helmet. (Cf. D992.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1654.15 | Door stuck by witchcraft so that it cannot be opened. (Cf. D1146.) England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| D1654.16 | Pot cannot be lifted. (Cf. D1171.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1654.17 | Throne of goddess' idol is lifted only after goat has been sacrificed. (Cf. D1156.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1655 | Invisible objects. (Cf. D1981.3; F235.1.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1655.1 | Invisible weapons. (Cf. D1080.) Hindu: Keith 152. |
| D1655.1.1 | Invisible arrows. (Cf. D1092.) Visible to one person alone. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 356 n. 287b. |
| D1656 | Incombustible objects. (Cf. D1841.3; D2158.2; F979.5.) Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "incombustible". |
| D1656.1 | Incombustible book. (Cf. D1266.) Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 297 No. 29. |
| D1656.2 | Incombustible house (dwelling). (Cf. F222.1.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1657 | Untiring object. |
| D1657.1 | Magic untiring breeches. (Cf. D1055.) *Fb "bukser" IV 77b. |
| D1658 | Grateful objects. *Type 480, 510, BP I 207 ff., *227; *Toldo Studien zur vgl. Littgsch. VIII 48ff., 60ff. |
| D1658.1 | Objects repay kindness. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *314C; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1658.1.1 | River grateful for being praised even when ugly. (Cf. D915.) Sicilian: Gonzenbach I 99 No. 15. |
| D1658.1.2 | Figs grateful for being praised even when ill-tasting. (Cf. D981.5.) Type 480; *Köhler-Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. VI 63 (to Gonzenbach No. 13). |
| D1658.1.3 | Bitter water grateful for being praised. (Cf. D1242.1.) Type 480; *Köhler-Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. VI 63 (to Gonzenbach No. 13). |
| D1658.1.4 | Continually slamming doors grateful for being fastened. (Cf. D1146.) Type 480; *Köhler-Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. VI 63 (to Gonzenbach No. 13). |
| D1658.1.5 | Apple-tree grateful for being shaken. (Cf. D950, D1610.2.0.1.) *Type 480, 510; *BP I 208ff., 227; Fb "træ" III 867b; Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Baum". |
| D1658.1.5.1 | Tree grateful for having boughs trimmed. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1658.1.5.2 | Tree grateful for having milk poured on roots. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1658.1.6 | River grateful for being given color. Africa (Tim): Frobenius Atlantis XI 184ff. No. 7. |
| D1658.2 | Kinds of grateful objects. (See also D1658.1.) |
| D1658.2.1 | Grateful stove. (Cf. D1161.) BP I 227 n. 1. |
| D1658.2.2 | Grateful carpets. (Cf. D1155.) BP I 227 n. 1. |
| D1658.2.3 | Grateful plant. Japanese: Anesaki 337. |
| D1658.3 | Services of grateful objects. |
| D1658.3.1 | Grateful objects give advice. (Cf. D1312.) BP I 227. |
| D1658.3.2 | Grateful objects help in choice of caskets. BP I 227. |
| D1658.3.3 | Grateful objects give helper gifts. BP I 227. |
| D1658.3.4 | Grateful objects help fugitive. (Cf. D1393, D1611.) BP I 227. |
| D1661 | Magic object cannot be replaced. |
| D1661.1 | Talking statue, when destroyed, cannot be replaced for thirty thousand years. (Cf. D1268, D1620.) Dickson 214. |
| D1662 | Magic object works by being stroked. |
| D1662.1 | Magic ring works by being stroked. (Cf. D1076.) *Type 560; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "bague"; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1662.1.1 | Magic ring works by having sun's rays flash upon gem. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1662.2 | Magic lamp works by being stroked. (Cf. D1162.1.) *Type 561; *BP II 544f. |
| D1662.3 | Diamond works by being pressed. (Cf. D1070.) French Canadian: Sister Marie Ursule. |
| D1663 | Magic object works in contrary fashions. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1663.1 | Wands of life and death. Pointed with one end, kill; with the other, resuscitate. (Cf. D1254.1, D1402.10.) MacCulloch Childhood 205; N. A. Indian (Bella Coola): Boas JE I 54, (Chilcotin): Farrand JE II 44 No. 30. |
| D1663.1.1 | Magic club kills and revives. (Cf. D1094.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1663.2 | Ointment cures left cheek, not right. (Cf. D1244.) Chinese: Werner 281. |
| D1663.3 | Well of life and death. Situated on one hand, kills; on the other, protects against disease. (Cf. E82.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1663.4 | Fountains poison and cure. One, with bronze vessel, tastes sweet and poisons; other, with iron vessel, tastes bitter and cures. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1663.5 | Well rises or sinks to indicate long or short life. (Cf. D926.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1663.6 | Magic tree gives money to good brother, poisonous animals to bad. (Cf. D950.) Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 46. |
| D1664 | Summer and winter garden. Garden which blooms in winter. (Cf. D961.) *BP II 232; Köhler-Bolte I 215f.—N. A. Indian (Tsimshian): Boas RBAE XXXI 182. |
| D1665 | Food has taste of any dainty desired. (Cf. D1030, D1359.4.) Irish: Plummer clxxxv, *Cross; Jewish: Neuman; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 824, 930. |
| D1665.1 | Drink has taste of any liquor desired. (Cf. D1040.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1665.2 | Cow whose milk "tastes of honey and intoxicating wine and the satisfaction of good food." (Cf. B19.2, B182, F241.2.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1665.3 | Fruit has any taste desired. (Cf. D980.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1665.4 | Manna tastes bitter to gentiles. (Cf. D1031.0.1.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1666 | Sword leaves no trace of blow behind it. (Cf. D1081, D1564.7, F833.) Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 65, Cross. |
| D1667 | Magic garden grows at once. (Cf. D961.) Africa (Benga): Nassau 216 No. 33. |
| D1667.1 | Magic tree shoots forth leaf, flower, and fruit at once. (Cf. D950.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1667.2 | Magic acorns grow at once. (Cf. D985.4.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1667.3 | Million-fold rice which ripens in one night. (Cf. D965.8.1.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1667.4 | Garden that has not bloomed for twelve years does so when girl steps into it. (Cf. D961.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1668 | Magic tree continually in fruit. (Cf. D950.) Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 120, *Cross. |
| D1671 | Silver in chain increases in fire. (Cf. D1078.) English: Wells 97 (Chevalere Assigne). |
| D1672 | Unquenchable fire. (Cf. D1271.) Fb "ild" II 10a; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| D1672.0.1 | Magic fire burns for seven years. (Cf. D1271.) Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1672.1 | Flaming shield unquenchable. (Cf. D1101.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1672.2 | Self-burning bush. (Cf. D964.) Jewish: *Neuman. |
| D1673 | Magic staff blossoms. (Cf. D1254.) |
| D1673.1 | Tree grows from stick saint has used and thrown aside. (Cf. D956.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1674 | Iron blessed by saint incapable of wounding. (Cf. D1080, V220.) *Loomis White Magic 105; Irish: Plummer clxxxv, *Cross. |
| D1675 | Garden wall that cannot be overleapt. Malone PMLA XLIII 401. |
| D1676 | Mill refuses to work on Sunday. (Cf. D1263.) Irish: Plummer clxxxvi, *Cross. |
| D1676.1 | Manna does not fall on Sabbath. (Cf. D1031.0.1.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1677 | Mill refuses to work when saint is ill-treated. (Cf. D1263.) Irish: Plummer clxxxvi, Cross. |
| D1678 | Magic book, once used, compels person to do evil. (Cf. D1266.) *Fb "Cyprianus". |
| D1681 | Charm incorrectly uttered will not work. Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 84 No. 746. |
| D1682 | Magic jewel which outweighs many heavy objects in the scale. (Cf. D1071.) *Hertz Abhandlungen 73ff. |
| D1683 | Hearth cleaned by angel always free of ashes. (Cf. D1147, V230.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1684 | Dye blessed by saint colors animals, trees. (Cf. D1297, V220.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1685 | Interred body of saint performs signs and miracles. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1686 | Magic object departs and returns at formulistic command. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1687 | Object magically becomes heavy. *Loomis White Magic 49; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1688 | Marvelous post wears down at top instead of rotting from bottom. (Cf. D956, D1250.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1691 | Magic suspension of weight. *Loomis White Magic 49. |
| D1691.1 | Huge load easily carried by a saint. (Cf. V220.) *Loomis White Magic 48. |
| D1692 | Cloak (and shirt) fit person of any size. (Cf. D1053, D1056.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1693 | Magic rod swallows other rods. (Cf. D1254.2.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1694 | Sword that cannot be magically dulled. (See D2086.1.) Icelandic: Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 354, Bуsa saga p. lxvi, *Boberg. |
| D1700 | Magic powers. *Kittredge Witchcraft passim; Fb "kunst" II 331; Penzer VIII 36ff., 46ff., 79, 100n.; E. E. Evans-Prichard Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic among the Azande (Oxford, 1937); M. Summers Witchcraft and Black Magic (London, 1946); *Arne Runeberg Witches, Demons and Fertility Magic (Helsinki, 1947); *E. M. Butler Ritual Magic (Cambridge, Eng., 1949); Loomis White Magic; *Tibbals Elements of Magic in the Romance of William of Palerne (MPh I (1903) 355ff.); *Easter A Study of Magic Elements in the Romans d'Aventure (Dissertation, Baltimore 1906).—Estonian: *Loorits Grundzüge; Japanese: Anesaki 274. |
| D1710 | Possession of magic powers. (Cf. D800.) Hdwb. d. Märchens II "Gegenzauber"; Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1711 | Magician. (Cf. D1721.) *Type 325; Dickson 121 n. 64; *Finnur Jуnsson "Um galdra, seieth, seiethmenn og völur," thyjár ritgjörethir (København, 1892) 5—28; *Seligmann 6f.; *Penzer IV 39 n. 1, 46ff.; *Fb "klog mand" II 187; Malone PMLA XLIII 400.—Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 299, *Boberg; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 57ff. Nos. 128—159; Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 50ff. Nos. 90—119; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 162. |
| D1711.0.1 | Magician's apprentice. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1711.0.2 | Magician keeps magic power in tumor in back. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1711.0.3 | Means of becoming magician. Eskimo (Greenland): Holm 92, 94. |
| D1711.1 | Biblical worthy as magician. |
| D1711.1.1 | Solomon as master of magicians. **G. Weil Biblische Legenden der Musselmänner (Frankfurt, 1845); *C. C. MacCown Journal of the Palestine Oriental Society II (1922) 1—24; **C. Singer Salomosagen in Deutschland (Zs. f. deutsches Altertum XXXV (1891) 177ff.); *E. A. W. Budge The Queen of Sheba (London, 1922); *M. D. Conway Solomon and Solomonic Literature (Chicago, 1900); St. John D. Seymour Tales of King Solomon (Oxford, 1924); *H. A. Winkler Salomo und die Karina: eine orientalische Legende von der Bezwingung einer Kindbettdämonin (Stuttgart, 1931); *Fb "Salomon" III 146b; Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1711.1.2 | Esau as magician. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1711.1.3 | Baalam as master of magicians. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1711.2 | Virgil as magician. **D. Comparetti Virgilio nel medio evo (Florence, 1896) (Eng. trans. by E. F. M. Benecke, London, 1895); *Chauvin VIII 188ff. No. 228; *Penzer I 24 n. 1; *C. G. Leland Unpublished Legends of Virgil (London, 1899); *Otto Söhring Romanische Forschungen XII (1900) 580ff.; *Hertel Verzauberte Oertlichkeiten; J. D. Bruce MPh X (1913) 511ff.; **John W. Spargo Virgil the Necromancer (Cambridge, Mass., 1934). |
| D1711.3 | Sun as magician. Chinese: Werner 361. |
| D1711.4 | Druid as magician. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D1711.5 | Fairy as magician. (Cf. F234.0.2.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1711.6 | God or demigod as magician. |
| D1711.6.1 | Odin as magician. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 45ff., 296; Herrmann Saxo Gr. II 239ff., *Boberg. |
| D1711.6.2 | Aesculapius as magician. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1711.7 | King as magician. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1711.7.1 | Pharaoh as magician. Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1711.8 | Strong man as magician. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| D1711.9 | Dark-haired people (with bowed nose) as magicians. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1711.10 | People of certain place as magicians. |
| D1711.10.1 | Finns as magicians. Icelandic: Herrmann Saxo II 372, *Boberg. |
| D1711.10.2 | People of Gestrikland (Sweden) as magicians. Icelandic: Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 240. |
If you wish to get access to data for projects and research, then please contact us, we do our best to help
How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. https://folkloredatabase.com
0009-0006-1672-4451
Please cite the relevant sources, catalogues, and classification systems, including the Folklore Database, Berezkin-Duvakin Catalogue, ATU, Thompson, alongside the page accessed and the last time accessed. Please respect copyright and licenses.
Editorial annotations and database enhancements © Jonathan Fielder-White licensed under CC BY 4.0. Berezkin-Duvakin derived narrative and metadata licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Full rights information can be found here.
All rights are reserved in the database structure, selection, arrangement, metadata, classifications, software, interface design, and original editorial content.
Important: The Folklore Database expressly reserves all rights in relation to text and data mining, automated extraction, scraping, machine learning, dataset creation, and the training, development, validation, or improvement of artificial intelligence technologies or systems. No part of this website or database may be scraped, copied, reproduced, harvested, downloaded in bulk, or otherwise used for AI training or commercial data extraction without prior written permission.
Designed and Developed by Jonathan Fielder-White.
© 2024–2026 Crecganford / Jonathan Fielder-White. All rights reserved.