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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 ▲ |
|---|---|
| J711.1 | Ant and lazy cricket (grasshopper). Lazy bird is put to shame by thrift of industrious bird. In winter he is in distress. *Type 249; *Chauvin III 58 No. 19; Wienert FFC LVI 55 (ET 156, 157), 126 (ST 347); Halm Aesop No. 295, 401; Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 845; Jacobs Aesop 208 No. 36.—Italian Novella: Rotunda; N. A. Indian: Thompson CColl II 451. |
| B154.2 | Ant as soothsayer. Ila of Rhodesia: Smith and Dale 396. |
| A2251.1 | Ant carries load as heavy as himself. Defeats bear, raven (or other bird). Various explanations. (Cf. A2435.3.3, A2486.1.)—*Type 280; *Dh III 144. |
| A2221.4 | Ant collects incense and myrrh for Christ: grows thin in middle. (Cf. A2451.1, A2453.1.)—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 93 No. 98. |
| B365.2.1 | Ant grateful for preventing destruction of nest. German: Grimm No. 62. |
| B215.6.1 | Ant language. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| N381.1 | Ant pinching frog causes chain of accidents. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2214.2 | Ant thrown from heaven: hence narrow waist. God decides dispute between ant and spider in spider's favor. (Cf. A2355.1.2.)—Finnish: Aarne FFC VII 22 No. 124, XXXIII 55 No. 124; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 149 No. 66; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 89 No. 124; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3200, Legends Nos 291—94; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| K1721.2 | Ant-eater deceives jaguar by excrement-exchange. S. A. Indian (Caingeng, Bacairi): Horton BBAE CXLIII (3) 294. |
| K345.4 | Antelope sends leopard for fire, eats game while leopard is gone. Africa (Kiyansi): Van Whig Biblioteca Africana IV 52. |
| J2175.1 | Anticipatory whipping. A schoolmaster whips his pupils to keep them from wrong-doing. He does not wait until after the deed is done. *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin II 231 No. 499. |
| D1515.4 | Antidote for snakebite. (Cf. D1515.2.1.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| F531.6.11 | Antipathies of giants. |
| G304.2.4 | Antipathies of trolls. |
| A2232.9 | Ants ask God to give them wings: wind blows them away. Cyprus: Hadjioannou 64. |
| R121.4 | Ants carry silk threads to prisoner, who makes rope and escapes. They have thread tied to their feet. Fischer-Bolte 212. |
| L315.14 | Ants overcome serpent. Africa (Congo): Weeks Jungle 386. |
| D1413.10 | Anvil to which one sticks. (Cf. D1202.) Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "enclume". |
| J1593 | Any boon desired. Stingy king insists on trickster asking any boon desired. By asking king to perform disgusting act, trickster compels king to give expensive gift. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1935 | Any work touched automatically done. |
| K874.1 | Ape pretends to louse heron, but plucks out his feathers. Indonesia: *DeVries's list No. 34, Dixon 193 n. 19*. |
| J369.2 | Ape throws away nut because of its bitter rind. *Crane Vitry 188 No. 127; Herbert III 11, 36ff.; Hervieux Fabulistes latins I 218 No. 47. |
| K891.2 | Ape tricked into jumping on to stakes and killing himself. Indonesia, Japan, Melanesia: Dixon 194 nn. 26-28, Indonesia: DeVries's list Nos. 68, 92. |
| L146.1 | Ape tries to flee with favorite child; neglected child saves himself. The favorite child is killed through the mother's overanxiety. Wienert FFC LVI 62 (ET 253), 146 (ST 510); Halm Aesop No. 366. |
| F988.3 | Apertures of animals' bodies closed up in certain land. Jewish: Neuman. |
| J264 | Apparent beauty may be of the least importance. Ruler admires jewels's beauty but neglects to inquire about their marvelous virtues. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| E68 | Apparently dead persons revived when certain thing happens. Proper prince appears, or the like. Chauvin V 263 No. 154. |
| N694 | Apparently dead woman revives as she is being prepared for burial. Cf. Type 990. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| N694.1 | Apparently dead woman revives when dropped. Had swallowed a bone. Lover exhumes her. Stumbles as he carries her. She revives and later marries him. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| K426 | Apparently dead woman revives when thief tries to steal from her grave. Type 990; **Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. XX 353; XXX—XXXII 127; *Hertel ibid. XXI 282. |
| U115.1 | Apparently happy woman discloses the skeleton of her slain paramour. Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| K2058.1 | Apparently pious man (sadhu) a thief. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| V231 | Appearance of angel. Spanish Exempla: Keller; Icelandic: Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| A2217 | Appearance of animal from marking or painting. |
| F482.1 | Appearance of brownie. |
| K2065 | Appearance of Death exposes hypocrisy. |
| F451.2 | Appearance of dwarf. Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 271, *Boberg. |
| F239 | Appearance of fairies—miscellaneous. |
| F230 | Appearance of fairies. |
| N111.2 | Appearance of Fortuna. |
| E574 | Appearance of ghost serves as death omen. (Cf. D1812.5.1.1, E265.3, E501.20.) England, Scotland, U.S., Wales: *Baughman. |
| F531.1 | Appearance of giant. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| E723.6 | Appearance of his wraith as announcement of person's death. (Cf. E723.2.) England, Scotland, Wales, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| B81.9 | Appearance of mermaid. Fb "havfrue" IV 204a; Irish myth: Cross. |
| F460.1 | Appearance of mountain men. |
| E420 | Appearance of revenant. |
| F401 | Appearance of spirits. |
| V292.1 | Appearance of the Apostles. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A284.3 | Appearance of thunder-spirit. Eskimo: Rasmussen Myter III 61. |
| G304.1 | Appearance of troll (ogre). (Cf. F455.2.) |
| F455.2 | Appearance of trolls. (Cf. G304.1.) |
| E723.8 | Appearance of wraith as calamity omen. |
| U110 | Appearances deceive. Wienert FFC LVI 123. |
| D1927 | Appetite magically diminished. (Cf. V221.10.) 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. |
| H434.1 | Apple as chastity index: shines as long as woman is chaste. (Cf. D981.1.) *Fb "guldæble" I 516b. |
| H411.14 | Apple as chastity test. Fades if owner is not virgin. (Cf. D981.1.) Fb "pige" II 817a. |
| D1364.4.1 | Apple causes magic sleep. (Cf. D981.1.)—*Types 400, 590, 709; *BP I 463, II 346, III 1; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| D1905.2 | Apple divided and eaten as love charm. (Cf. D1355.7.) *Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Baum". |
| D1346.6.2 | Apple of immortality. (Cf. D981.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1355.7 | Apple produces love. (Cf. D981.1.)—*Fb "æble" III 1135a. —English: Child I 364; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H1558.0.1.1 | Apple test of worthiness for friendship. Father gives son three apples to offer to those he meets. If the man eats all, avoid him; if he divides, make friends with him. (Cf. H1557.1.) *BP II 39 n. 2, III 236; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 92b. n. 3. |
| H331.5.1.1 | Apple thrown in race with bride. Distracts girl's attention and as she stops to pick it up, suitor passes her. (Atalanta.) Oesterley Gesta Romanorum No. 60; *BP IV 138; Herbert III 193; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; Greek: Fox 59, *Grote I 138. |
| D2157.3.1 | Apple trees bear as result of saint's blessing. (Cf. D950, D981.1, F971.4.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| 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". |
| F971.5.2 | Apples at Christmas. Tree bears apples only at Christmas. Blossoms at midnight and is full of apples by morning. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 559. |
| D1318.18 | Apples which grow from tree under which murder was done have red centers. (Cf. D981.1.) U.S.: Baughman. |
| Q113.2 | Appointment as page as reward. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q113.1 | Appointment to earldom as reward for good advice. (Cf. Q43, Q111.5.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q113.4 | Appointment to priesthood as reward. |
| J655 | Approaching danger too familiarly. |
| A522.2.4 | Aquatic bird as culture hero. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 3. |
| B551.2 | Aquatic bird carries man across water. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2091.1 | Arachne transformed to spider: vies with goddess in spinning. Greek: Roscher Lexikon s.v. "Arachne". |
| A52.2.4 | Archangels created on first, angels on third day of creation. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A661.0.1.3 | Archangels Michael and Ariel as porters of two of the doors of heaven. Irish myth: Cross. |
| G303.8.1.2 | Archangels Michael and Gabriel drive Satan and other devils from heaven to earth. Dh I 67, 138; Irish: Beal XXI 323, O'Suilleabhain 59. |
| F661.4.2 | Archer shoots and marks egg in nest without breaking it or disturbing other eggs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F661.4.1 | Archer shoots eggs through middle. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| W181.2.2 | Architect commits suicide when he discovers that his pupil has surpassed him in skill. England: Baughman. |
| W181.2.1 | Architect kills pupil who has surpassed him in skill. England: *Baughman. |
| H708 | Are there more men or women in the world? India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2032 | Are there nine or ten geese? Ten men are called in; each is to take a goose. If all have a goose, there are ten. One man is left without one. Numskull: "You should have taken one before they were all gone." Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 246 No. 143. |
| F512.2.2 | Argos. Has eyes all over body. Krappe Balor 19 n. 69; Greek: *Frazer Apollodorus I 130 n. 3, Fox 29, 193. |
| R121.5 | Ariadne-thread. Prisoner given a thread as a clue to find his way out of the labyrinth in which he is being confined. *Herbert III 204; Oesterley No. 63; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 135 n. 3. |
| K1215 | Aristotle and Phyllis: philosopher as riding horse for woman. The philosopher warns the king against uxoriousness. In revenge the queen beguiles the philosopher into letting her ride him on all-fours. The king comes and sees. *Type 1501; **Moth Aristoteles-sagnet; **Borgeld Aristoteles en Phyllis (Groningen, 1902); **Sarton Isis XIV (1930) 8ff.; *Basset 1001 Contes II 140; *G. Paris Romania XI 138; *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin II 203 No. 402; Bédier Fabliaux 204, 386, 448; *Herbert Catalogue III 87; Chavannes III 236; *RTP XV 110; von der Hagen I xxv, 17; Hertz Spielmannsbuch 57, 420; Campion MPh XIII 347; Speyer Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsche Taal- en Letterkunde XXVI 268; Scala Celi 86a No. 501. — Italian Novella: Rotunda; Indonesia: Voorhoeve 164 No. 170, Bezemer Javaansche en Maleische Fabelen en Legenden 170f. |
| P711.7 | Aristotle rises from sick bed to rush into battle for his country. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| V112.0.1 | Ark of the temple. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| F1083.0.1.2 | Ark suspended in air. Jewish: Neuman. |
| F1095 | Arm grows longer from giving alms. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H105.3 | Arm of monster kept as token of innocence of dog. Scottish: Campbell-McKay. |
| C946.2 | Arm shortened for breaking tabu. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 488. |
| A33.4.1 | Armadillo as creator's companion. So. Am. Indian (Munderucú): Horton BBAE CXLIII (3) 281. |
| B119.3 | Armadillo with silver plate over its forehead. S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 71. B120—B169. |
| J1625 | Armies like seeds and peppercorns. One king sends large sack of seed to the other to represent the number of his soldiers. The second replies with a small bag of peppercorns: "My army is small compared to yours but has all the power of the peppercorn compared to your lifeless seed." *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 722. |
| F1097 | Armies miraculously separated (kept from coming to battle, etc.). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| D2031.8 | Armies separated with illusion that each has won object of contention. Irish myth: Cross. |
| F516.1.1 | Armless people have legs growing from their shoulders. Use toes in place of fingers. Chinese: Werner 388. |
| F516.1 | Armless people. Chinese: Werner 388. |
| E422.1.2 | Armless revenant. Wimberly 235. |
| D1400.1.15 | Armor gives victory. (Cf. D1101.) Icelandic: Boberg. |
| J673.1 | Armor ordered thin in front and thick in back, since it would be most needed in flight. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 543. |
| Q451.1.5 | Arms cut off as punishment for adultery. (Cf. Q241.) Heptameron No. 48. |
| Q451.1.7 | Arms cut off as punishment for slandering. (Cf. Q263.) Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 207. |
| E782.3 | Arms restored. Irish myth: *Cross; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "bras". |
| D1381.8 | Arms that protect from attack. (Cf. D1080.) English: Wells 132 (Sir Launfal); Irish myth: *Cross. |
| K1872.1 | Army appears like forest. Surprises enemy. Each soldier carries branches. (Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane.) *Fb "skov" III 300a; Shakespeare's Macbeth; Rohde Der griechische Roman 485; Grimm Kleinere Schriften V 43; Herrmann Saxo II 341, 498; Kurth Histoire poetique des Merovingiens 396ff.; Irish myth: *Cross. |
| N339.7 | Army drowned by unnoticed incoming tide. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| J216.1 | Army faces enemy rather than the anger of their king who would kill them if they returned in flight. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 529. |
| K871.1 | Army intoxicated and overcome. Köhler-Bolte I 512; Spanish Exempla: Keller; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B268.1 | Army of apes. Hindu: Keith 128; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Werner 328 (monkeys). |
| B268.5 | Army of birds. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B268.12 | Army of boars. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 819. |
| G11.16 | Army of cannibal monsters. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B268.11 | Army of cats. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B268.10 | Army of cows. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B20.1 | Army of half-animals, half-men. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B268.8.1 | Army of hornets. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B268.13 | Army of hyenas. Africa: Stanley 261. |
| B268.8.2 | Army of locusts. Jewish: Neuman. |
| K632.1 | Army of mice save kingdom from enemy invading force by gnawing their provisions, ammunition, etc., to shreds. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B268.6 | Army of mice. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| B268.5.1 | Army of quails. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B268.7.1 | Army of snakes and scorpions. Jewish: Neuman. |
| B268.7 | Army of snakes. India: *Thompson-Balys; Africa (Upoto): Einstein 121. |
| F403.2.3.7 | Army of spirits and ghosts. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F628.2.4 | Army of strong men. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A165.7 | Army of the gods. (cf. A162). Icel.: Herrmann Nordische Mythologie 279 (Einherjar), Neckel Walhall 68ff; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B268.9 | Army of tigers. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| B268.8.3 | Army of wasps. Jewish: Neuman. |
| P551.1 | Army of young men. Old men excluded. *Chauvin VII 84 No. 373bis. |
| J53 | Army saved from ambush by observation of birds' movements. Birds fly from part of woods in which ambushed men lie. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 541; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| D2091.13 | Army stopped by saint's curse. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| P551 | Army. |
| F711.5 | Aroma of sea as of wine. Jewish: Neuman. |
| V222.4.1 | Aromatic smell of a saint's body. *Loomis White Magic 54f. |
| A1310 | Arrangement of man's bodily attributes. |
| H581.4 | Arrested farmer tells who he is: one son is thief (priest), second beggar (teacher), and third murderer (doctor). Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 921B*. |
| H581.1 | Arrested man tells who he is: before his father the great incline the head and give blood and money (barber). Chauvin VI 35 No. 205. |
| H581.3 | Arrested man tells who he is: father throws himself into the ranks and holds them (weaver). Chauvin VI 35 No. 205. |
| H581.2 | Arrested man tells who he is: the hospitable fire of his father is sought (bean merchant). Chauvin VI 35 No. 205. |
| D2143.1.12 | Arrival of saint brings rain to rainless land. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A119.3 | Arrival of the gods in particular country. Tonga: Gifford 199; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 2, 3, 11. |
| L430 | Arrogance repaid. Icelandic *Boberg. |
| L434 | Arrogant farmer allows none to ride his precious horse without permission. He kills the man who does it, but is in revenge deprived of most of his goods. Icelandic: Hrafnkels saga Freysgods ch. 2ff. (ed. F. S. Cawley) (Cambridge, Mass., 1932). |
| L431 | Arrogant mistress repaid in kind by her lover. *Type 900; *BP I 443ff.; **Philippson König Drosselbart FFC L; Krappe études ital. II 141ff.; *Gigas "Et eventyrs vandring" Litteratur og Historie (København, 1902); *Fb "bejler" IV 31b; Icelandic: Boberg; West Indies: Flowers 560. |
| N621.1 | Arrow accidentally makes shot for which prize is given. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J32 | Arrow as man's message shows lion how terrible man himself must be. Wienert FFC LVI 67 (ET 316), 122 (ST 312); Babrius No. 1; Halm Aesop No. 403; BP II 99. |
| D1654.4.2 | Arrow can be moved only by owner. (Cf. D1092.) Seneca: Curtin-Hewitt RBAE XXXII 318 No. 58, 514 No. 109. |
| F831.4 | Arrow shot at bull returns against shooter. Irish myth: Cross. |
| D1602.16 | Arrow shot at bull returns to shooter. (Cf. D1092.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| F638.2 | Arrow shot down years after the shot. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| D1314.1.6 | Arrow shot into air discovers iron pit.—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F638.1 | Arrow shot thirty miles high. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1314.1.5 | Arrow shot to determine burial place. English: Child I 185. III 106. |
| D1314.1.7 | Arrow shot to discover direction of attacking army. Jewish: Neuman. |
| F1066 | Arrow shot to heaven returns bloody. Hdwb. d. Märch. I 102a; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| F831.2 | Arrows of fire. Chauvin VI 106 No. 270; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1093.1.1 | Arrows returned upon those who shoot saint. *Loomis White Magic 114. |
| D1402.7.5.1 | Arrows rubbed with black chicken fatal. Chinese: Graham. |
| D1612.6.2 | Arrows shake when master is disturbed. (Cf. D1092.) Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 105. |
| H71.10.7 | Arrows turn aside for prince (king). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| E501.1.8.2 | Artemis as leader of wild hunt. Gruppe Griechische Religionsgeschichte 840 n. 5, 1292. |
| Z162 | Arthur's Round Table symbolic of round earth. English: Malory XIV 2. |
| H86.2 | Articles of clothing with name embroidered on them taken as tokens. German: Grimm No. 111. |
| J1935 | Articles sent by telegraph. U.S.: Baughman. |
| D1626.1 | Artificial flying horse. (Cf. D1620.2.1.) *Jones PMLA XXIII 563; *Clouston Magical Elements in Squire's Tale (Chaucer Soc. Pub. 2d Ser. No. 26) 279ff. passim; Dickson 217; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| F793 | Artificial heavenly bodies. |
| F792 | Artificial heavens. Placed on pillars of iron. Seven heavens. (1) glass, sun, moon, stars, (2) iron with lake in it, (3) tin with precious stones rolling about (thunder), (4) lead, (5) copper, (6) silver, (7) gold. Gaster Exempla 186 No. 4; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| F705 | Artificial paradise and hell to punish and reward. Wesselski Archiv Orientálni II 432. |
| K922 | Artificial whale made as stratagem. Enemies surprised and killed. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 358 n. 287j. |
| B731.2.2 | Artificially colored horses. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A15.4 | Artisan as creator. |
| S165.7 | Artisan who has built palace blinded so he cannot build another like it. (Cf. S161.0.1, W181.2.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 489, 672. |
| A451 | Artisan-god. Irish myth: Cross; Hindu: Keith 50 (Tvastr). |
| P440 | Artisans. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| J1491 | Artist paints too few birds. Is engaged to decorate room. Owner: "You did not paint as many birds as I told you to." Artist: "The windows were left open and most of them flew out." Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| A1460.1 | Arts taught man by angel. Jewish: Neuman. |
| F451.9.4 | As dwarfs emigrate each deposits coin into kettle for mortals. German: Sieber 62. |
| G11.0.1.1 | As result of fraud, Saturn swallows stone instead of infant Jove. Irish myth: Cross. |
| J1946 | As tired as if he had walked. So says the numskull after riding to town on his stick horse. *Wesselski Bebel II 158 No. 182. |
| J1481 | As you surely will. After her husband's death a woman cannot find a hammer and anvil. She goes to a dying neighbor and says, "If you die, as you surely will, and go to Heaven, as you surely will not, ask my husband where he left the hammer and anvil." The dying man's wife replies, "If you go to Heaven, as you surely will, if you die as you surely will not, do not run around and get into trouble, but sit down by the Eternal Father and observe and keep still." Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 93 No. 805. |
| F101.6 | Ascent from lower world on animal. (Cf. F98.). |
| F75 | Ascent to heaven by holding on to elephant's tail. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| F61.2.1 | Ascent to sky by sticking to magic feather. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 311 n. 118a (a large proportion of the references given). |
| F61.1 | Ascent to sky on cloud. Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 271 n. 2 (Hercules); Jewish: *Neuman; Chinese: Werner 282. |
| F61.2.2 | Ascent to sky on eagle-down rope. N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 66. |
| F61.2 | Ascent to sky on feather. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 311 n. 118a. |
| A761 | Ascent to stars. People or animals ascend to the sky and become stars.—*Dh I 289.—Estonian: Loorits Grundzüge I 534f.; India: *Thompson-Balys; Korean: Zong in-Sob 14 No. 6; Japanese: Ikeda.—Hawaii: Henry 345; Tonga: Gifford 20; Maori: Clark 50; Australian: Dixon 299; Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 174; S. Am. Indian (Jivaro): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 129, 140f., Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 627, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 34, (Yuracari): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 144, (Eastern Brazil): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (1) 434, (Tapirape): Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 178, (Amyara): Tschopik BBAE CXLIII (2) 571; Ekoi: Talbot 355. |
| F63.4 | Ascent to upper world by holding on to morning star. Papua: Ker 7. |
| F68 | Ascent to upper world by magic. India: *Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda; Maori: Beckwith Myth 250; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Star Husband 120f.; Africa: Werner African 136. |
| F61.3.1 | Ascent to upper world in smoke. India: Thompson-Balys; Caroline Islands: H. Damm Zentralcarolinen (Hamburg, 1938) II 88; New Hebrides: C. B. Humphreys The Southern New Hebrides (Cambridge (Eng.), 1926) 98; Yap: W. Müller Yap (Hamburg, 1918) II 666, 685, 695. |
| F53 | Ascent to upper world on arrow chain. Hero shoots arrows which join one another in the air to form a chain. *Pettazzoni The Chain of Arrows, the Diffusion of a Mythical Motive (FL XXXV 151);—Indonesia. Voorhoeve 142; Oceanic (Australia, New Hebrides, Aurora, Whitsuntide, Torres Is., New Guinea): Dixon 139 n. 19, 293f.; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 333 n. 203, Hatt Asiatic Influences 40ff.; S. A. Indian: *Lowie BBAE CXLIII (3) 55, *Ehrenreich Mythen u. Legend der südamerikanischen Urvölker 50, (Guarayú): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 438, RMLP XXXIII 147, (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 156, 164, BBAE CXLIII (3) 484, (Tupinamba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 132, (Jibaros, Ecuador): Karsten Myths of the Jibaros (cited from Boas JAFL XXXII 446). |
| F65.1 | Ascent to upper world on arrow. (Cf. F53.) New Hebrides: Beckwith Myth 487. |
| F51.2.1 | Ascent to upper world on seat attached to cord. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 110. |
| K2285.1 | Ascetic as villain. India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 531. |
| F1034.2.1 | Ascetic carries woman in his hair, but she has two lovers in her cloak and outwits him. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| V462.6 | Ascetic cleric avoids listening to music. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| V462.9 | Ascetic cleric leads mendicant life. Irish myth: Cross. |
| V462.10 | Ascetic cleric lives for seven years on whale's back. Irish myth: Cross. |
| V462.7 | Ascetic cleric never smiles. Irish myth: Cross. |
| V462.5.0.1 | Ascetic cleric prays to become diseased. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| V462.11 | Ascetic cleric renounces world (to become a herder). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| V462.5.1.2 | Ascetic cleric sleeps (prays) with wet sheet (mantle) about him. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| V462.5.2 | Ascetic cleric sleeps on stone. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| V462.5 | Ascetic cleric tortures his flesh. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| V462.5.1 | Ascetic cleric wears hair garment. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| V462.2.1 | Ascetic faster increases his sufferings by placing food and drink before himself. Alphabet Nos. 22, 23; Scala Celi 4a No. 16; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| V462.2 | Ascetic fasting. Alphabet Nos. 24, 145; Wesselski Mönchslatein 170 No. 135; Irish myth: *Cross; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H1233.3.1 | Ascetic gives directions to hero on quest. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2415.5 | Ascetic imitates Brahmin's practices. Brahmin goes to heaven, ascetic to hell. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| V462.8 | Ascetic immersion. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| T338.1 | Ascetic successfully tempted: kills son born in consequence. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| V462.3 | Ascetic weeping. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q39.1 | Asceticism rewarded. (Cf. V462.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 500, II 750. |
| V462.4 | Asceticism: allowing self no repose. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| V462.4.1 | Asceticism: cleric practices continual genuflexion. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| V462 | Asceticism. *Loomis White Magic 111f.; *Encyc. Rel. Ethics Index 42b; Irish myth: *Cross; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| F971.4.1 | Ash (alder, willow, etc.) tree bears apples ("fair fruit"). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| S139.2.2.7 | Ash (hazel) stakes thrust through bodies of slain warriors. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1385.2.5 | Ash (quicken, rowan) protects against spells and enchantment. (Cf. D950.6, D1311.4.1.1.) |
| D1311.4.1.1 | Ash (quicken, rowan) used (by druids) for divinations. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| E767.1 | Ash pole appears at doorway several times on day owner's daughter dies. (It is used for coffin rests. The pole has previously mysteriously escaped being used for other purposes.)—Canada: Baughman. |
| A2725.1 | Ash-tree late at distribution of qualities at creation: therefore buds last. (Cf. A2771.1.)—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 95 No. 115. |
| L131.1 | Ashes abode of unpromising hero. India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| K1011.2 | Ashes as remedy for sore eyes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| D1500.4.6 | Ashes cause leprosy. (Cf. D931.1.2.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| D1469.10.1 | Ashes from burned snake-woman's body will turn anything into gold. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| E174.1 | Ashes of burnt hero revive. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| E521.2.1 | Ashes of dead dog speak. *Jamaica: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 265 No. 72. |
| E431.9 | Ashes of dead thrown on water to prevent return. Levy-Bruhl L'âme primitive 332ff.; Icelandic: *Boberg; Finno-Ugric: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 386, Mansikka Religion der Ostslaven (Helsinki, 1922) 220, 231; Jamaica: *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 266 No. 72. |
| S139.2.2.8 | Ashes of murdered person passed through sieve and remains put to manure heap. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F981.5 | Ashes thrown into stream dissolve animals. Irish myth: Cross. |
| K2351.2.2 | Ashes transformed into bees, wasps, scorpions and snakes drive invading army away for hero. India: Thompson-Balys |
| J1338 | Asking costs nothing. So says beggar who asks goldsmith to plate his club with gold. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2461.8 | Asking favor when master is in good humor. Fool waits till master is laughing at servant's stupidity. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| F382.6 | Asking grace at fairy banquet causes fairies and banquet to disappear. (Cf. G271.2.3.) England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| J1341.2 | Asking the large fish. Parents serve boy a small fish and keep back a large one for themselves. Knowing this, the boy puts the fish to his ear. He says that he has asked the fish a question; the fish cannot answer but tells him to ask the large fish under the bed. *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 247 No. 158; *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 700; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *1565; Italian Novella: Rotunda; L. Schmidt Oesterr. Zs. f. Vksk. 1954, 134. |
| A2721.2.1.1 | Aspen cursed for serving as cross. (Cf. A2762.1.) —England, Scotland: Baughman.* |
| B121.4 | Ass (mule) with magic wisdom. Jewish: Neuman. |
| W165.2 | Ass after associating with lion disdains his own family. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| B133.0.1.1 | Ass alone knows where hidden wind can be found. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| V12.4.8 | Ass as sacrifice. *Krappe Classical Philology XLII (1947) 223—34; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| B292.13 | Ass as tollkeeper. Jewish: Neuman. |
| K566 | Ass begs wolf to pull thorn out of foot before eating him: kicks wolf in mouth. Wienert FFC LVI 52 (ET 115), 114 (ST 244); Halm Aesop No. 334; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. Nos. 30, 31; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| A2239.3 | Ass betrays deity's secret: hence his ugly bray. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2211.4 | Ass brays on hearing a conch shell. Owner thinks he must have been a saint in a former life. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J451.1 | Ass buyer returns ass which has associated with lazy companions. Wienert FFC LVI 72 (ET 376), 120 (ST 294); Halm Aesop No. 320; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| B151.1.1.2.1 | Ass carries usurer's body to the gallows instead of to the church. He has been denied burial in the church.—Alphabet of Tales No. 705. |
| K1715.10 | Ass claims to have killed cow: frightens tiger. India: Thompson-Balys. |
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