Yu.E. Berezkin, E.N. Duvakin

Thematic classification and distribution of folklore and mythological motifs by area

Analytical catalogue translated by Jon F White

Introduction
Bibliography
Ethnicities and habitats

I27D. The mouth of a black dog. .26.29.34.

There is a black or red dog that (associated with objects in the night sky) has a negative effect on people's lives.

Ancient China, Kalmyks, Tuvans.

China-Korea. Ancient China (The Book of Mountains and Seas, sect. "Da huang xi jing") ["... the red dog (quan) is called Sky Dog. Where it descends [from heaven], war begins"]: Alimov 1994:257 (another translation in Yanshin 1977:120).

Caucasus - Asia Minor. Kalmyks [at dusk it is time for black dogs to run; therefore, it is forbidden to cry, quarrel, curse at dusk; if a woman on a long fee enters the house at dusk, this is also bad luck; when lack of food happens, they say: "This black dog opened its mouth"]: Basangova 2017, No. 13:52.

Southern Siberia. Tuvans (Western) [when performing burial activities, one should avoid the direction in which the Black Dog's Mouth (Kara Yt Aksy) is located; it is associated with the Milky Way, with Big Dipper, with the star Cholbon, etc.; she changes her position in the sky depending on the season; if the deceased falls into this mouth, Kara Yt Aksy must be fed meat, given her a ram, a horse and etc.; otherwise the deceased will pull relatives with him]: Salomatina 1993:46-52.