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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 ▲ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 715 | Demi-coq | Is put in with the horses, oxen, etc. The animals taken along (bear, wolf, etc.) help. | , 715 | B171.1., B435.1., D1382.8., D915.2., F601.7., K481. |
| 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. |
| 1705 | Talking Horse and Dog | A person is frightened by animals successively replying to his remarks. Example: The man riding the horse and followed by the dog tells the horse to jump over a hole. Horse says, »I will not.» Man turns to dog and says, »Isn't that strange, a… | 1705 | B210.1. |
| 531 | Faithful Ferdinand | On the advice of a jealous courtier the king assigns the hero difficult tasks, which he performs with the help of grateful animals. Bringing the beautiful bride for the king. I. The Hero's Horse and Magic Object. (a) The hero at his christening is… | , 513C, 531 | B211.1.3., B313., B341., B350., B401., E15.1., H1213.1., H1381.2.2.1., H911., J2411.1., K1934., NA |
| 516 | The Petrified Friend | The picture of the princess. She is carried off on a ship. The conversation of the ravens. The true servant transformed to stone. Brought back to life. I. The Prince Falls in Love. (a) A prince becomes enamored of a faraway princess by seeing her… | , 516, 516C | B211.3., C423.4., C961.2., D766.2., H1515., K1332., N342.1., N451., P361., S268., T11.3., T172.2. |
| 440 | The Frog King | A maiden promises herself to a frog in a spring. The frog comes to the door, the table, the bed. Turns into a prince. I. Promise to Marry the Frog. (a) To the youngest of three sisters a frog in a spring gives clear water (a ball thrown into the… | , 440 | B211.7.1., C41.2., D789., F875., S215.1. |
| 410 | The Sleeping Beauty | The king's daughter falls into a magic sleep. A prince breaks through the hedge surrounding the castle and disenchants the maiden. I. The Wished-for Child. A frog announces the birth of the much desired daughter of the king. II. The Fairies' Gifts.… | , 410 | B211.7.1., D1364.17., D1967.1., D1978.5., F361.1.1., G269.4., M341.2.13., M370., N711.2. |
| 671 | The Three Languages | The youth learns the languages of dogs, birds, and frogs. Through this knowledge he makes his fortune. The father drives him out for his stupidity and orders him killed, but a compassionate servant substitutes an animal's heart and lets him escape.… | , 671 | B215.1., B215.2., B215.4., H171.2., K512.2. |
| 670 | The Language of Animals | A man learns animal languages. His wife wants to discover his secret. The advice of the cock. Cf. Types 517, 671. I. The Gift of the Snake. A man receives from a grateful snake the power of understanding animal languages. He is not to reveal this… | , 670 | B216., B350., B491.1., C425., N451., N456., T252.2., T253.1. |
| 673 | The White Snake | No examples in the Database yet | , 673 | B217.1.1., N451. |
| 221 | The Election of Bird-King | Wren wins by cleverness. | 221 | B236.1. |
| 222 | The Willow-Wren and the Bear | Birds win by cleverness. The fox's lifted tail is to be the signal. The gnats stick him under the tail. He drops it and the quadrupeds flee. Cf. Type 104. It often serves as introduction to Type 313. | 222, 222A | B261., B261.1. |
| 103 | War between Wild Animals and Domestic Animals | The cat shrieks; the bear falls out of the tree and breaks his backbone. | 103, 103A, 103A*, 104 | B262., B281.9.1., NA |
| 207 | Rebellion of the Work Animals | Cock as leader punished. | 207, 207A, 207B, 207C | B271.3., J2413.1., K1633., NA |
| 130 | Outcast Animals Find a New Home | They drive away an intruder. | , 130, 130A | B296., K1161., K335., NA |
| 156 | Androcles and the Lion | In gratitude the lion later rewards the man. | 156, 156A | B301.8., B381. |
| 530 | The Glass Mountain | Cf. Types 300, 329, 502, 550. I. Reward for the Vigil. (a) Three brothers one after the other are sent to guard a meadow which is devastated at night by a monster or they must in turns keep vigil for their dead father. (c) The elder brothers are… | , 530 | B315., B401., H1471., H331.1.1., H80. |
| 314 | The Golden-Haired | The Magic Flight. From the ogre's house. The fugitives throw magic objects behind them which become mountains, wood, or sea; or they change themselves into various animals or objects. | , 314 | B316., C495.1.1., C912., H56., H75.4.4., K1816.1.1., L113.1.0.1.1.0.1., T55.1.1., T91.6.4.6.4. |
| 178 | The Faithful Animal Rashly Killed | See AT 0178A and AT 0178B. | 178, 178A | B331.2., NA |
| 113 | Mice Choose Cat as King | Mice choose cat as king. | 113A, 113B | B342., K815.13. |
| 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. |
| 75 | The Help of the Weak | The mouse gnaws the net and liberates the captured bear (fox, lion). | 75 | B371.1. |
| 675 | The Wish-Fish | No examples in the Database yet | , 675 | B375.1., D1131.1., D1523.1., D1601., D1761.0.1., H481.1., H486., L114.1., L175., S141., T513. |
| 285 | The child and the snake | The snake drinks from the child's milk-bottle. | 285, 285B*, 285D, 285E | B391.1., B784.2.1.1., J15., J552.3. |
| 302 | The Giant Without A Heart, | The youth who can turn himself into a lion, ant, etc. Sometimes the ogre's heart in the egg appears alone. Cf. Type 665. Sometimes introduced as in Type 400, or 425. I. Magic Help. The hero receives magie help (a) from grateful animals for whom he… | , 302, 302B | B393., B500., B571.1.1., D152.2.2., D182.2.2., D1834., E710., E711.10.10., K975.2.2., R11.1.1., T11.2.2. |
| 532 | The Speaking Horsehead | The helpful horse. The hero is driven from home by his stepmother [S31]. He acquires a helpful horse which advises him [B401] to dress in poor clothing [K1816] and to answer all questions with "I don't know" [C495.1]. He takes service as gardener to… | 532* | B411.2. |
| 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. |
| 510 | Cinderella and Cap o' Rushes | I. The Persecuted Heroine. (a) The heroine is abused by her stepmother and stepsisters and (a1) stays on the hearth or in the ashes and, (a2) is dressed in rough clothing - cap of rushes, wooden cloak, etc., (b) flees in disguise from her father who… | , 510A, 510B | B450., C761.3., D1050.1., F823.2., H151.5., H36.1., H94.2., K1911.3.3.1., K521.1., L55., M255., N711.6., N815., R255., S31., T311.1., T411.1. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 303 | The Twin Brothers, | Two boys, horses, and dogs are born (from the eating of a magic fish, or in other magic fashion; cf. Type 705). One frees princesses from a dragon; cf. Type 300. A witch turns him into stone. The second brother sleeps with his brother's wife and… | , 303, 303A, 581 | B512., D1081., D231., E715.1.1., E761., K1311.1.1., N342.3.3., R111.1.3.1.3., R155.1.1., T351., T511.5.1.5.1., T589.7.1.7.1., T69.1.1. |
| 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. |
| 315 | The Treacherous Sister | The children promised to the water-spirit. The maiden wife of the water-spirit (devil). At his advice she feigns sickness and sends her brother for a remedy (or the like) [K2212.0.2]. Imprisoned animals break loose and save the boy. See analysis… | , 315, 315A | B524.1.1.1.1., F615., G346., K2212.0.2.0.2., L161., R111.1.1., R251. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 441 | In Enchanted Skin | A childless woman gives birth to a hedgehog [C758.1, T554]. The king unwittingly promises the hedgehog his daughter when the latter shows him the way out of the forest [S226]. The hedgehog takes the bride [B641.5]. His hedgehog's skin is burnt, and… | , 441 | B641.5., C758.1., D721.3., S226., T554. |
| 845 | The Old Man and Death | Weary old man wishes for death. When Death appears at the summons he asks for help with the load. [C11]. | 845 | C11. |
| 815 | The Deceased Rich Man and the Devils in the Church | The rich man's money is buried in his skin in the grave. The devil comes to see the money. The cobbler draws a circle about him [D1381.11] to keep the devil off; takes the money and nails the devil fast. | , 815, 815* | C12.2., D1381.11., G303.22.11., K210., K218.1., Q45.2. |
| 470 | Friends in Life and Death | The deceased friend followed into the other world. Cf. Type 471. I. The Visit to the Other World. (a) Two friends pledge themselves never to part. One of them dies. (b) The living friend invites the dead to visit him on Christmas and goes with him… | , 470, 470*, 470A | C13., D2011., E238., F116., F171.1., F171.2., M253. |
| 711 | The Twin Sisters | The deformed maiden disenchanted. A queen is childless and gets from a witch advice how to have a child, but she breaks a condition connected with the advice, and has two girls, a very beautiful one and one deformed (with an animal's head). The ugly… | , 711 | C152., D1860., D732., L145.1., T548.2., T551.3. |
| 413 | Marriage by Stealing Clothing | A youth comes upon a holy man (old woman) in the forest [N825]. He is told not to go in a certain direction but does so [Z211] and sees three lovely maidens bathing. The holy man agrees to help him, turns him into a bird, tells him to steal the… | , 413 | C311., E121.5., K1335., Z211. |
| 1416 | The mouse in the silver jug. The new Eve | The New Eve. A poor woman laments at Eve's curiosity and says women are no longer so. The king lets them enjoy themselves in castle, but they must not open a certain silver jug [C324]. The woman can not let it alone. There is a mouse in the jug.… | , 1416 | C324., H1554.1. |
| 871 | Princess and Ogress | A princess in a forbidden chamber sees a man's picture and falls in love. A magician as bird brings the princess at night to the lover. Once they stay too late. The sun sees them, so that the magician bursts and dies. The girl left alone becomes… | , 871 | C325., C611., D567., F93.0.2.1., G11.3., N681.1., T11.2. |
| 475 | The Man as Heater of Hell's Kettle | Bargain with the devil: seven years service without washing or combing. In the kettle in hell are his former masters. In payment he receives the sweepings which change into gold. The host at the inn robs him of his gold, but with the devil's help he… | , 475 | C325., C721.1., D475.1., D861.1., D885., M210. |
| 759 | God's Justice Vindicated – The Angel and the Hermit | People will not take sacrament from him. Another priest (God) shows that even this priest is according to God's will. [V39.3]. Cf. Type 756E*. | , 759 | C411.1., C491., J225.0.1., J225.0.2., J225.3., J225.4., J225.5., U21.3. |
| 500 | Rumpelstiltskin | No examples in the Database yet | , 500 | C432.1., D2183., H1021.8., H521., H914., N475., S222.1. |
| 830 | Refusal to Ask God's Blessing | The man shoots a stag but denies that God has given it to him and insists that he shot it himself. [J151.4]. The wounded stag jumps up and flees. | 830C | C454. |
| 1697 | "We Three; For Money" | Three travelers in a foreign land know only three expressions in the foreign language. By the use of these they get themselves accused of murder. [C495.2.2] Cf. Type 360. | 1697 | C495.2.2. |
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