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Aarne–Thompson–Uther index
About this index and how to read it
The ATU index classifies international folktales by type. Each row gives the type number, its title and summary, followed by the references it inherits: Arne Thompson is the earlier Aarne–Thompson type number, and Thompson lists the motif references from Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature associated with that type.
Cross-references inside a summary open the relevant tale-type or motif record. Thompson motif references in the final column are linked directly to the corresponding entry in the Stith Thompson Motif Index when that reference exists in the database. Any column heading can be clicked to sort by it, and clicking again reverses the order. Following a type number opens that type on its own page.
| ATU ▲ | Title | Summary | Arne Thompson | Thompson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 533 | Repressed Bride | On the journey to her wedding the princess is forced by her waiting-maid to change clothes and places with her. The princess's horse is killed, but through the speaking horsehead which hangs on the wall, the betrayal is revealed. Cf. Types 403, 450.… | , 533 | B133.3., B335., H13.2.7., K1816.5., K1911.1.1., K1933., K1934., K2252. |
| 534 | The Youth Who Tends the Buffalo Herd | Cf. Types 181, 510C, 511A. I. The youth and the Wild Buffaloes (Cows). A youth cares for wild buffaloes which he comes upon in the forest and is befriended by them [B395, B396, N832.1, B537]. (a) The youth is lost or abandoned. (b) A tiger carries a… | ||
| 535 | The Boy Adopted by Tigers (Animals) | I. A Boy is Adopted by Wild Animals. (a) The boy is abandoned in the forest, (b) and adopted by tigers. (c) He is given a magic bow and arrow, or (d) magic axe. II. The Substitute Bridegroom. (a) The animals arrange a marriage for him. (b) A monkey… | ||
| 537 | The Flight with the Eagle | I. The Speaking Eagle. A man aims to shoot an eagle, when suddenly the bird begins to speak like a human being [B211.3]. The man spares him. II. The Grateful Eagle. The bird has a wing broken. The man cares for it for three years and wastes all his… | ||
| 540 | The Dog in the Sea | No examples in the Database yet | ||
| 545 | The Cat as Helper | Visit to the castle. Disenchantment. I. The Helpful Cat. (a) A boy or (b) girl inherits nothing but a cat (or fox). II. The Cat at the Palace. (a) The cat takes the girl (boy) to the palace. (b) He tells the king that the boy (girl) is a dispossessed… | , 545A, 545B, 545D* | , B211.1.8., B422., B580., B582.1.1., D711., F771.4.1., G510., K1917.3., K1952.1.1., N411.1.1. |
| 546 | The Clever Parrot | I. The Parrot Wins a Princess for the King. (a) The king wins the gratitude of a parrot. (b) The parrot takes the king to a princess. (c) The parrot brings a princess to the king. II. Separation. On the return trip the king and his bride are… | 546 | B469.9. |
| 550 | The Golden Bird | Quest for the wonderful bird. With the help of an animal (wolf fox) the youngest brother succeeds. On his return he saves his brothers, who betray him. See analysis below: I a, b; II; III a, b; IV; V. ANALYSIS Types 550 and 551. I. Object of the… | , 550 | B184.1., B313., B435.1., B560., H1242., H1331.1., K1932., L13., L161., N711.3., W154.12.3. |
| 551 | The Water of Life | The youngest succeeds with the help of an eagle (dwarf) and various magic objects. The brothers gain possession of the remedy. The princess searches for the father of her child. For analysis see Type 550: I b, (c); II; III c, d; IV; V b. | , 551 | H1210.1., H1242., H1321.1., H1381.2.1., H80., H81.1., K1932., K2211., L161., N711.3., N825.2., T475.2., W154.12.3. |
| 552 | Animals and In-laws | I. Marriage to Animals. (a) A bankrupt man promises his daughters in in marriage in return for safety and money to three animals (bear, eagle, whale); or (b) three girls despairing of marriage say that they will marry any one even if it is an animal… | , 552 | B501., B640., D621.1., S221.1. |
| 553 | The Bird as a Helper | A youth shoots a raven; saving of the princess from a sea-monster. Cf. Type 300. I. The Raven-feather. (a) With a feather of the raven the youth gets magic objects and treasure from the raven's sister. II. Rescue of Princess. See Type 300: IV (rescue… | ||
| 554 | The Grateful Animals | A youth earns the thanks of several animals (ants, fish, etc.) and with their help wins the princess by performing three tasks imposed upon him (brings a ring from the bottom of the sea, etc.). I. The Animals' Gratitude. The hero, (a) the youngest of… | , 553 | B571., B582.2., H982., NA |
| 555 | The Fisherman and his Wife, | The fish fulfills all the wishes of the wife of a poor fisher. I. The Wishes Obtained. (a) A poor fisher catches a fish who is a transformed monster and puts him back in the water; in gratitude the fish grants all the wishes of the wife; - or (b) a… | , 555 | B170., B375.1., C773.1., D1761.0.1., J514., Q338. |
| 559 | The Princess’ Laugh | The princess made to laugh. Making an absurd parade. Later forcing the noble suitor out of his bridal bed. Cf. Types 571-574, 621. I. Making Princess Laugh. (a) A princess has been offered to the man who can make her laugh. (b) The hero accomplishes… | , 559 | B571., B582.2., F591., H341., H982., L161., T171., T68. |
| 560 | The Magic Ring | The grateful animals (cat and dog) recover it for him. See analysis below: I a, b; II; III; IV a. - ANALYSIS: Types 560 and 561. I. Magic Object Received. The hero receives a magic ring (stone) which will perform all the wishes of the owner, from (a)… | , 560 | B360., D1131.1., D1470.1.15., D1662.1., D2136.2., D810., D812., D861.5., D882.1.1. |
| 561 | Aladdin | The object recovered by means of another magic object. For analysis see Type 560 (1 c; II; III; IV b, c). | , 561 | D1131.1., D1421.1.5., D1470.1.15., D1470.1.16., D1662.2., D2136.2., D840., D860., D881. |
| 562 | The Spirit in the Blue Light | No examples in the Database yet | , 562 | D1391., D1421.1.4., D1426., D1470.1., D845., N813. |
| 563 | Three Magic Gifts | The stick compels the treacherous host of the inn to give back the table and the ass. See analysis below: I a, b, c, d; II a, (b) d. - ANALYSIS: Types 563 and 564. I. The Magic Objects. (a) A poor man receives three magic objects: (b) a table or sack… | , 563 | B103.1.1., D1401.2., D1472.1.7., D861.1., D881.2., J2355.1. |
| 564 | The Two Marvelous Pitchers | The rich neighbor steals the magic objects. By means of the sack the hero compels the return of the purse. For analysis see Type 563: 1 a, b, c, e; II c, d. | , 564 | D1030.1., D1193., D1401.1., D861. |
| 565 | The Magic Mill | Grinds an enormous amount of meal or salt when the man who has stolen it cannot stop it. I. The Magic Mill (Pot). The hero or heroine receives (a) a magic pot that fills itself with porridge or (b) a mill that grinds meal or salt. (c) Only the owner… | , 565 | A1115.2., C916.3., D1472.1.9., D1601.21.1., D1651., D861. |
| 566 | Fortunatus | The return of the objects is brought about with an apple, the eating of which causes horns to grow. I. The Magic Objects. (a) Three men each receive from a mannikin or from enchanted princess a magic object: (b) a self-filling purse (mantle), a… | , 566, 580* | D1451., D1475.1., D1520.11., D812., D861.6., D895., D992.1. |
| 567 | The Magic Bird Heart | I. The Bird-heart. The hero eats the heart of the magic bird and thereby receives the power (a) of spitting gold or (b) of finding each day a coin under his pillow; or (c) he will become king. II. The Treacherous Wife. A woman (or his own wife)… | , 567, 567A | B113.1., D132.1., D1561.1.1., D861.5., D965., K512., M312.3., N311., N683., S264.1., S322.4. |
| 569 | The Knapsack, the Hat, and the Horn | No examples in the Database yet | , 569 | D1222., D1470., D1472.1.22., D1475.4., D831., D861. |
| 570 | Bunnies Beware of the King | With the help of his magic pipe he calls the rabbits together. He wins the hand of the princess.
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, 570, 570* | D1224., D1427.1., D1441.1.2., H1045., H1112., K1271.1.1., K1288., T68. |
| 571 | The Golden Goose | All remain hanging to the magic object: bundle of hay, cow, servant boy, preacher, etc. I. The Golden Goose. (a) Of three brothers only the youngest divides food and drink with a hungry man and receives as reward a golden goose; or (b) he gets the… | , 571, 571B | D1413., D1413.8., D2171.3.1., D2171.5., D812.3., D817., F591., H1010., H1194., H341., H341.1., K422. |
| 572 | The Barking Dog's Head | No examples in the Database yet | ||
| 575 | The Wings of the Prince | Contest in the preparation of the most wonderful object. Wings. The prince buys the wings from a clever workman. The hero flies to the princess in the tower. They fly away together from the stake where they are to be burned. After they have flown… | ||
| 577 | The Order of the King | The three brothers; the oak in the king's castle yard. The king's daughter is promised to the one who is able to perform certain difficult tasks, usually to cut down a large tree. The three brothers set out, and the youngest is the only one who pays… | , 577 | D1581., D1601.14., D1601.15., D1601.18.2., H335., H971.1. |
| 580 | Favor of Women | With the youngest of three brothers all women are in love. At the father's death when the elder brothers wish for riches, etc. the youngest [L10], wishes for [L210] and receives the power to make women love him [D1900]. He secures from the hostess of… | , 580 | D1472.1.7., D1473., D1900., D856., T45. |
| 581 | The Magic Object and the Trolls | Cf. Types 303, 513. I. Magic Objects Acquired. Two brothers wander immediately after birth [T585] and part at a cross-roads [N772]. The first brother meets three old women with only one eye. He takes it [K333.2] and gives it back in exchange for an… | ||
| 585 | Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle | The prince will marry the girl who is at once the poorest and the richest [H1311.2]. She possesses marvelous heirlooms: a spindle that brings the prince to her [D1425.1], a needle that transforms the room [D1337.1.7], a shuttle that makes a magic… | , 585 | D1337.1.7., D1425.1., D1484.1., H1311.2. |
| 590 | The Prince and the Bracelets | The youth whose evil stepmother seeks his life finds two armbands: strong. Adventures. Two lions become his helpers. The stepmother has his eyes put out. He is cured and the stepmother punished. Cf. Type 315. I. The Blue Band. (a) A boy traveling… | , 590 | B431.2., B512., D1335.4., D1840., D861., D880., F615., H1212., H1333.3.1.1., H1361., H931., K975., S12.1. |
| 591 | The Thieving Pot | A peasant exchanges his cow [N421, D851] for a magic pot that brings him bread, beer, money, etc. from his rich neighbors [D1605.1, D1412.2]. | ||
| 592 | The Dance Among Thorns | Magic fiddle, cards, and gun. The judge is compelled to dance. I. The Magic Object and Powers. (a) A boy, driven from home by an evil stepmother or (b) dismissed from service with a pittance for years of labor, (c) gives his money to a poor man who… | , 592 | D1415.2.5., D1653.1.7., D1761.0.2., K551.3.1., N55., Q42.1., S322.4. |
| 593 | Fiddevav | All who poke in the ashes (the daughter, the woman, the preacher, etc.) must keep saying »Fiddevav», until they are released from the magic [D1413.17]. An old woman [N825.3] gives [D810] the hero a magic stone and advises him to go to the peasant's house at night, to say nothing, but »Thanks« [C495.3] and to lay the stone in the ashes. The stone prevents fire from being made and all who try to make it stick to the poker [D1413, D2172.1]. The hero gets the peasant's daughter in return for release. Cf. Types 330A, 571, 571A, 571B]. | , 593 | D1413., D1413.17., D2172.1., N825.3. |
| 610 | The Healing Fruit | The sick princess is offered to the man who can cure her [T681, H346]. An old woman [N825.3] gives healing power to the fruits [D1500.1.5] of the youngest brother [Q2, L13]. After the youngest brother has succeeded [L10] he is given tasks: herding rabbits (Type 570); making a land and water ship (Type 513), and fetching a feather from a magic bird (Type 461). He performs the tasks, goes and makes a fortune, returns and humbles the king and marries the princess [L161]. | , 610 | D1500.1.5., D1533.1.1., H1010., H1112., H1331.1.2.1., H346., L10., L13., L161., N825.3., Q2., T68.1. |
| 611 | True Love | No examples in the Database yet | ||
| 612 | The Three Snake-Leaves | See analysis of 612. II. (c) The wife is bitten by a snake and dies. III. (a) The man and his wife are separated. (b) The husband becomes an adviser to the king. (c) The wife, who has become a prostitute or dancer, pleases the king and is granted a… | , 612 | B491.1., B512., D1500.1.4., E105., E165., K2213.2., K2213.5., M254., P361., S142. |
| 613 | The Two Travelers: Truth and Falsehood | One puts out the other's eyes. The blind man overhears secrets under a tree (gallows) and recovers his sight. The wicked companion has his eyes put out or is killed. I. The Blinded Man. (a) Two travelers (brothers) dispute as to whether truth or… | , 613 | D1505.5., D2064.1., F1045., F933.2., H346., K451.1., M225., N2.3.3., N451.1., N471., N61., N92. |
| 620 | The Presents | The haughty sister misuses her gift and loses it. Of two sisters the haughty one disdains to help an old woman. By means of the old woman's magic wand [D1254.1] she is given a castle and becomes a queen. Because of her haughtiness she is driven forth… | ||
| 621 | The Louse-Skin | The hero guesses the puzzle and wins the princess. The one she turns to in the night. Cf. Types 425B, 571-574, 559, 850.
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| 622 | The Talking Bed-Legs | The king purchases a bed. During the night the legs of the bed speak and warn him of dangers or assist in other ways. [D1154.1.1, D1317.11, D1380.12, D1402.17, D1610.17.1, N454.1]. - Cf. Franklin Edgerton Vikrama's Adventures or the Thirty-Two Tales… | ||
| 650 | Strong John | No examples in the Database yet | , 650A, 650C | B631., D1846.4., F611.1.1., F611.2.1., F611.3.1., F612.1., F615., F615.1., F615.2.3., F615.3.1., H931., K1411., K1421. |
| 652 | The Boy Whose Wishes Always Come True | I. The Godfather. (a) A king chooses as godfather for his son the first man he meets. (b) The old man chosen as godfather takes the boy secretly to a church, blesses him, and gives him the power to make all wishes come true. II. The Treacherous… | , 652 | D141., D1761.0.1., D212.1., D630., K2155.1., K2250., N811., N856.1., Q455.1., R131.8.5., T52.1. |
| 653 | The Skillful Brothers | The father has them trained. Display of their accomplishments. The bird's nest on the tree. The stolen princess recovered. Cf. Type 513, 514. I. The Four Brothers Tested. (a) Four brothers sent to learn trades return home and are tested. (b) The… | , 653, 653A | D1323.15., D1500.1.5.1., D1520.19., F660.1., F662.2., H621.2., P251.6.2., R111.1.3., R111.7., R166., T68.1. |
| 654 | The Three Brothers | The father has them trained. Trial of their handiwork. The fighting master swings his sword so fast that it does not become wet in a heavy rain; the barber shaves a running hare; the blacksmith shoes a horse while it is galloping. | , 654 | F660.1., F663.1., F665.1., F667.1. |
| 655 | The Wise Brothers | The king is bastard. Staying at the king's court they are asked to utter three wise words. As a result of extraordinary powers of deduction, they declare that the king is bastard, the roast is dog meat, etc. All proves to be true. | , 655 | F647.1., F647.5.1., J1661.1.1., J1661.1.2. |
| 660 | The Three Doctors | The hog's heart, the thief's hand, the cat's eye. The three doctors make a trial of their skill [H504]. One removes one of his eyes, one his heart, and the other a hand [F668.1]. They are to replace them without injury the next morning [E782]. During… | , 660 | E780.2., E781.3., E782.1.1., E787., F668.1., H504. |
| 665 | The Man in Three Animal Forms | In a war gets the sword of the king, who gives him his daughter as wife. I. The Hero's Powers. (a) The power of transforming himself into a bird, a fish, and a hare is given to the hero (b) by an old man with whom he divides his last penny, (c) by a… | , 665 | B515., D1081., D117.2., D1470.1.15., D150., D170., D630., D641., H78.2., K1931.3., N681., Q42.1. |
| 667 | The Boy in Animal Form | No examples in the Database yet |
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