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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 ▲ |
|---|---|
| A1339.1 | Origin of blindness. Jewish: Neuman; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 145. |
| A2755.2 | Origin of blood-colored sap in trees. (See A2721.2.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2687.1 | Origin of blood-oranges. Sébillot RTP III 25. |
| A1319.6 | Origin of blood. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1445.1 | Origin of boat-building. Greek: Aeschylus Prometheus Bound, line 468; Jewish: Neuman; Africa (Benga): Nassau No. 3, (Fang): Trilles 159; Marquesas: Handy 128; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 15; Samoa: ibid. 271. |
| A2122 | Origin of bonito. Tonga: Buford 57. |
| A997 | Origin of boundaries. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1459.1.1 | Origin of bows and arrows. India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| A1381 | Origin of bravery. |
| A2681.11 | Origin of breadfruit tree. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 68, 971, 101. |
| A1591 | Origin of burial. Irish myth: Cross; Icel.: Boberg; Finnish: Aarne FFC VII 9 No. 41, XXXIII 53 No. 41.—India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 226; Maidu: Dixon BAM XVII 44 No. 1. |
| A1611.3.1 | Origin of Bushmen. Hottentot: Bleek 83 No. 40. |
| A2412.3.2 | Origin of butterflies' marks. Korean: Zong in-Sob 39 No. 23. |
| A2321.7 | Origin of buzzard's crest. Cherokee: Alexander N. Am. 65. |
| A1545.3.2 | Origin of calf sacrifices. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1546.0.3 | Origin of calf-statues in temples. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 136. |
| A2825 | Origin of canes: from whip thrust into ground. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1516 | Origin of cannibalism. Maori: Clark 15; Easter Is.: Métraux Ethnology 377. |
| A1445.2 | Origin of carpentry. Irish myth: Cross; Greek: Aeschylus Prometheus Bound line 447; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 70. |
| A1651.1 | Origin of castes from instructions received in dream. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2311.2 | Origin of cat's skin. (See A2210.)—Dh I 157, III 7. |
| A2127 | Origin of catfish. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1439.4 | Origin of cauldrons. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1435.0.1 | Origin of cave-digging. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2681.13 | Origin of cedar tree. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1556.2 | Origin of celibacy. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 109. |
| A1611.5.4 | Origin of Celts. Irish myth: Cross (A1611.8). |
| A2685 | Origin of cereals. |
| A1452 | Origin of charcoal making. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1562.1 | Origin of charms for pregnant women. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 181. |
| A1351.1 | Origin of childbirth pains. Jewish: Neuman; Africa (Togo): Einstein 8f. |
| A1351 | Origin of childbirth. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys.—Maori: Dixon 78; Polynesian, Melanesian, Micronesian: ibid. 79 n. 79-82; Maori, Hawaii, Cook Is., Fijis: Beckwith Myth 502-504; Hawaii: ibid. 284, Marquesas: Handy 58, 122, 128; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 288 n. 59a, (Tahltan): *Teit JAFL XXXII 207 n. 2. |
| A1337.2 | Origin of cholera. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1546.3 | Origin of Christian worship. |
| A1466 | Origin of church bells. |
| A2823 | Origin of churning stick. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2686.8 | Origin of cinnamon. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1567 | Origin of circumcision. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A995 | Origin of cities. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A998 | Origin of clay. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A968 | Origin of cliffs. |
| A1313.2.1 | Origin of clitoris. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1453 | Origin of cloth-making. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1133.1 | Origin of clouds from Ymir's brain. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 325f., Boberg. |
| A1133.2 | Origin of clouds: creator ornaments the sky with clouds so that the mountains are sometimes shaded. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A705.1 | Origin of clouds. India: Thompson-Balys; Icel.: Boberg. |
| A1133 | Origin of clouds. Jewish: Neuman; Maori: Clark 19; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 97; Eskimo (Labrador): Hawkes GSCan XIV 79; S. Am. Indian (Chamacoco): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 366. |
| A2663 | Origin of clove. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 261*. |
| A779.1 | Origin of Coal Sack. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 22, 47. |
| A1431 | Origin of coal. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 84 No. 29; Africa (Fang): Trilles 132. |
| A1545.3.3 | Origin of cock sacrifice. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 120 No. 78. |
| A2321.10 | Origin of cock's red crest. Lithuanian: Balys Index 3160; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2061.1 | Origin of cockroach in Finland. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 22 No. 125. |
| A2681.5.1 | Origin of coconut tree. (See A2611.3.)—Oceanic (Cove Is.): Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 104, (Tahiti): ibid. 101, (New Guinea): ibid. 102, (Marshall Is.): Davenport 223, (Marquesas): Handy 30. |
| A1423.3 | Origin of coconut. Maniliki, Cook Island: Beckwith Myth 256; Tonga: Gifford 182. |
| A1571 | Origin of code of conduct between husband and wife. |
| A1576 | Origin of code of conduct for parents toward children of polygamous marriage. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2691.1 | Origin of coffee. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 23 No. 127. |
| A1135.1 | Origin of cold in winter. |
| A1135.1.1 | Origin of cold: sun turns fiery face upward. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2411 | Origin of color of animal. |
| A2356.3 | Origin of color of animal's back. |
| A2371.4 | Origin of color of animal's legs. |
| A2378.8 | Origin of color of animal's tail. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2411.3.1 | Origin of color of bee. Dh I 129.—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2411.2 | Origin of color of bird. Lithuanian: Balys Index Nos. 3158, 3165, Legends No. 261f.; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 127; Japanese: Ikeda; N. A. Indian (Canadian Dakota): Wallis JAFL XXXVI 66; (Southern Ute): Lowie JAFL XXXVII 32 No. 18, 69 No. 38, (Tahltan): Teit JAFL XXXII 208f.; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 39f. |
| A2411.2.4 | Origin of color of caraciiformes. |
| A2411.2.3 | Origin of color of charidriiformes. |
| A2411.2.5 | Origin of color of ciconiiformes. |
| A2411.2.2 | Origin of color of falconiformes. |
| A2411.1.1 | Origin of color of felidae. |
| A2411.4 | Origin of color of fish. |
| A2411.1.7.1 | Origin of color of hyena. (365 colors): Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2411.3 | Origin of color of insect. Japanese: Ikeda. |
| A2411.1 | Origin of color of mammals. |
| A2411.1.2 | Origin of color of mustelidae. |
| A2411.2.6 | Origin of color of other birds. |
| A2411.1.7 | Origin of color of other mammals. |
| A2411.2.1 | Origin of color of passeriformes. |
| A2411.1.5 | Origin of color of primata. |
| A2411.1.4 | Origin of color of rodentia. |
| A2411.1.6 | Origin of color of ungulata. |
| A797 | Origin of colors at sunrise and sunset. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (T-G. 3/191). |
| A2782 | Origin of combustible property of wood. Tonga: Gifford 23. |
| A786 | Origin of comets. Frazer Ovid III 198 n. 4.—Tahiti: Henry 227; S. Am. Indian (Viracocha): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 551. |
| A1549.1 | Origin of commemorative religious meal (to memorialize death or actions of ancestor or holy person). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1471 | Origin of commerce. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Benga): Nassau No. 3. |
| A1514 | Origin of compulsory drinking at feast. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A779.2 | Origin of constellation Aquila. Gaster Thespis 293. |
| A779.3 | Origin of constellation Argo. Greek: Grote I 221. |
| A776 | Origin of constellation Lyra. Greek (Orpheus's lyre). |
| A777 | Origin of constellation Scorpio. Maori: Clark 56; Cook Is.: Clark 81, 83; S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 483, (Toba, Vilela): Métraux MAFLS XL 21f. |
| A766 | Origin of constellations. India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Werner 176.—Quileute: Farrand JAFL XXXII 266; Ojibwa: Carson JAFL XXX 493; S. Am. Indian (Amazon): Alexander Lat. Am. 288, (Mojo): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 424, (Bacairi): Lévi-Strauss ibid. 348.—African: Werner African 229.—For the origin of particular constellations see A770—A779. |
| A1455 | Origin of cooking. Greek: Grote I 163; India: *Thompson-Balys; Marquesas: Handy 104, 128; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 108f.; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 373 (water for cooking.) |
| A2685.1 | Origin of corn. (See A2611.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2684.3 | Origin of cotton plant. S. Am. Indian (Paressi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 359. |
| A1399.4 | Origin of coughing. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1599.12 | Origin of covenanted friendships. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2311.6 | Origin of cow's and buffalo's hides. (See A2247.1.)—Indonesian: De Vries's list No. 97. |
| A2312.1.1 | Origin of cracks in tortoise's shell. Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 373 No. 23. |
| A2171.1 | Origin of crayfish. |
| A2682 | Origin of creepers. India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Mataco): Métraux MAFLS XL 128. |
| A1592 | Origin of cremation. Icel.: Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys; Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 239ff. |
| A2321.4 | Origin of crested-lark's crest. Dh III 19. |
| A969.8 | Origin of crevasse. Africa (Bushongo): Torday 251. |
| A1338.1 | Origin of cripples. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 114f. |
| A1542.2.1 | Origin of crocodile dance. Africa (Fang): Einstein 48. |
| A1546.7.1 | Origin of crocodile worship. Africa (Fang): Einstein 50. |
| A2171 | Origin of crustaceans. |
| A2426.2.16 | Origin of cry of brain-fever bird. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2313.1 | Origin of cuckoo's feathers. (See A2241.6.)—Dh. III 140.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 17 No. 94 (cf. A2411.2.6.10). |
| A2684 | Origin of cultivated plants. (Cf. A2685, A2691.2.)—Jibaro: Karsten, cf. JAFL XXXII 446; Tonga: Gifford 17f.; Japanese: Beckwith Myth 102. |
| A511.1.4.1 | Origin of culture hero from bursting stone. Oceanic (Banks Group, Tonga, Celebes, Union Group, Gilbert Group): Dixon 111. |
| A1457.2 | Origin of custom of catching fish by day as well as by night. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1599.9 | Origin of custom of committing suicide by strangling. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1515 | Origin of custom of eating certain animals. |
| A1515.1 | Origin of custom of eating flesh of buffalo. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1512 | Origin of custom of not eating in the dark: devil eats from plates. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A1596.1 | Origin of custom of paying soldiers. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1555.2 | Origin of custom of purchasing wives. Irish Myth: Cross. |
| A1597.2 | Origin of custom of shaving. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1555.1.1 | Origin of custom of throwing fruits on bridal couple. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1597 | Origin of custom of wearing a beard. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1683.3 | Origin of custom of wearing mantles. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1441.2 | Origin of custom of yoking oxen. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1560 | Origin of customs connected with birth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1559 | Origin of customs of courtship and marriage—miscellaneous. |
| A1550 | Origin of customs of courtship and marriage. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A1598 | Origin of customs of hospitality. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1500 | Origin of customs—general. Irish: Beal XXI 324—326; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1525 | Origin of customs: game-division. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 243f. |
| A2182.4 | Origin of cutworm. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 135. |
| A2651 | Origin of daisy. (See A2612.2.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 253*. |
| A2681.8 | Origin of dammar tree. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1462 | Origin of dancing. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1179.2 | Origin of dawn. |
| A1171.4 | Origin of day: son of the night and the dawn. Icel.: Boberg. |
| A1171 | Origin of day. |
| A1335.9 | Origin of death because people weary of living. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1335.8 | Origin of death because world is overpopulated. India: *Thompson-Balys; Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 173; S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 171. |
| A1335.2 | Origin of death from bad creator's unsuccessful imitation. The bad creator attempts in vain to endow his creations with life like the good creator. Fails and thus introduces death.—Banks Is.: Dixon 106; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 61. |
| A1335.1 | Origin of death from falsified message. *Dh III 22; *Wesselski Theorie 43; Gaster Oldest Stories 91.—African: Werner African 160ff., 167, (Hottentot): Bleek 69 No. 31, 71 No. 32, 72 No. 33, 74 No. 35, (Basuto): Jacottet 46 No. 6, (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 129 No. 23, (Togo): Einstein 5, (Sandeh): Casati I 222; S. Am. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 684, (Tropical Forests): Lowie ibid. (3) 55. |
| A1335.3 | Origin of death from unwise choice. Choice between two bundles, one containing tempting articles, the other everlasting life. People choose the large bundle and lose everlasting life.—Congo: Weeks 218 No. 13. |
| A1335.4 | Origin of death when early people put on new skins. Child fails to recognize mother, who puts old skin back on.—Wesselski Theorie 45. |
| A1335.6.1 | Origin of death: disrespectful answer to God. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1335.6 | Origin of death: punishment for scorning deity. Wesselski Theorie 45; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1335.5 | Origin of death: serpent given immortality instead of man. Renews his skin.—**Delarue Nouvelle Revue des Traditions Populaires (1950) 262—275; Wesselski Theorie 45; Gaster: Oldest Stories 81. |
| A1335.1.1 | Origin of death: wrong messenger goes to God. Wesselski Theorie 44. |
| A1335 | Origin of death. S. S. Cohon The Origin of Death (Journal of Jewish Lore and Philosophy [1919]); Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 377; Japanese: Anesaki 224, 233; Burmese: Scott IndoChinese 264.—Africa (Angola): Wagener Afrikanische Parallelen 9ff., Chatelain 249, (Bushman): Bleek and Lloyd 60, (Congo): Weeks 217 No. 12, (Ekoi): Talbot 177, (Liberian): Bundy JAFL XXXII 407f., (Fang): Trilles 131.—Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 178; Maori: Dixon 54; Australian: ibid. 285; Melanesian: ibid. 117f. *n. 53; Micronesian: ibid. 252f.; Indonesian: ibid. 170 (Borneo), 174, *182; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 43; Raratonga: ibid. 158; Banks Is.: ibid. 61.—N. A. Indian: R. Dangel Mythen vom Ursprung dies Todes bei den Indianern Nordamerikas (Mitt. der Anthrop. Gesellschaft in Wien LVIII [1928] 341—374); *Krappe Nieuw Theologisch Tijdschrift (1928) 242ff.; *Thompson Tales 284 n. 51; Chitimacha: Swanton JAFL XXX 476; Sinkyone: Kroeber JAFL XXXII 346; Tahltan: Teit *JAFL XXXII 206f.; Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 64; Eskimo (Kodiak): Golder JAFL XX 486, (Cape York): Rasmussen III 48, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 173; S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 171, (Cubeo): Goldman BBAE CXLIII (3) 798, (Yuracare): Métraux ibid. (3) 503, (Warrau): Kirchoff ibid. (3) 880. |
| A1465 | Origin of decorative art. |
| A1556.3.1 | Origin of decrying female sinners. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1875 | Origin of deer. India: Thompson-Balys (A1888). |
| A2831 | Origin of demons. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2312.3 | Origin of dents in crab's shell. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (3—G 13/420). |
| A957 | Origin of desert. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1465.3.2 | Origin of designs on cloth. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 100. |
| A1132 | Origin of dew. Knoop Zs. f. Vksk. XXII 89; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 331ff.; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1565 | Origin of diet during confinement. Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 54. |
| A1659 | Origin of different classes—miscellaneous. |
| A1650 | Origin of different classes—social and professional. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 153. |
| A1614.4.3 | Origin of different peoples according to choice of bows and arrows or else guns, horses and cattle. Indians choose the former, whites the latter.—S. Am. Indian (Paressi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 360. |
| A1614.4.2 | Origin of different peoples according to choice of chairs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1650.3 | Origin of different trades. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| A1337 | Origin of disease. *Dh I 98ff.—Finnish Kalevala rune 45; Greek: Grote I 72 (Pandora's Box); Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 461; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 187.—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 278, 282; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 113, 502; Shasta: Frachtenberg JAFL XXVIII 227; S. Am. Indian (Cubeo): Goldman BBAE CXLIII (3) 798. |
| A1456 | Origin of distilling. Learned from devil. (Cf. A1427.2.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 85 No. 31; cf. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 86, 87 No. 52, 53; India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 54. |
| A1440.2 | Origin of distribution of work. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1654.2 | Origin of diviners. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1558 | Origin of divorce. Africa (Akan-Ashanti): Rattray 242 No. 62. |
| A1545.3.1 | Origin of dog sacrifices. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2513.1 | Origin of dog's service. Dog must serve and obey man for meager recompense. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3109; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2311.1 | Origin of dog's skin. (See A2210, A2229.2.)—Dh I 98ff., III 7. |
| A1443 | Origin of domestication of animals. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3108; Greek: Aeschylus Prometheus Bound, lines 462-465, Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Africa: Stanley 43, 196, (Bushongo): Torday 242f., (Fang): Tessman 18f. |
| A1541.4.2 | Origin of dragon festival. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 238 No. 185. |
| A1399.2 | Origin of dreams. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1514.1 | Origin of drinking ceremonies. Tonga: Gifford 35, 47, 72, 74. |
| A2824 | Origin of drum. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1386 | Origin of drunkenness. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1341.2 | Origin of duelling. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1453.3 | Origin of dyeing. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1439.2 | Origin of dyes. India: Thompson-Balys; Easter Is.: Métraux Ethnology 317. |
| A1316.4 | Origin of ears. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2182.3 | Origin of earth-worm. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1510 | Origin of eating customs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1517 | Origin of eating tabus. Tonga: Gifford 80; New Guinea: Ker 13, 52; Africa: Bouveignes 15. |
| A1195 | Origin of echo. Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 172. |
| A737.0.1 | Origin of eclipse of moon. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2686.4 | Origin of edible roots. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1465.2 | Origin of embroidery. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A978.3 | Origin of emeralds from marvelous vase broken into pieces. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2585.1 | Origin of enmity between serpent and man. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1337.3 | Origin of epilepsy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1599.2 | Origin of erection of monuments to mark boundaries. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1611.1.2 | Origin of Eskimo. Eskimo (East Greenland): Holm 57. |
| A1313.0.1 | Origin of eunuchs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A781.2 | Origin of Evening Star. Greek: Fox 247; Maori: Clark 50; Tonga: Gifford 110. |
| A1384.1 | Origin of evil inclinations: punishment for fall of man. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1384 | Origin of evil inclinations. |
| A1553 | Origin of exogamy and endogamy. |
| A1553.1 | Origin of exogamy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1315.6 | Origin of eyelashes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1316.3 | Origin of eyes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1316 | Origin of facial features. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A935 | Origin of falls (cataracts). Irish myth: Cross.—Malecite: Speck JAFL XXX 480; S. A. Indian (Chibcha): Kroeber BBAE CXLIII (2) 908; African (Upoto): Einstein 135. |
| A1578.1 | Origin of family crests. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII *235-238. |
| A1578 | Origin of family insignia. |
| A1382 | Origin of fear. |
| A1541.1 | Origin of feast for the dead. (Cf. A1543.1.)—Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 238. |
| A1541.2.1 | Origin of feast for Zise. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1535.4 | Origin of feast of Tara. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1541.2 | Origin of feasts in honor of certain god (goddess). Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1313.2 | Origin of female sex-organs. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 6 No. 22, XXXIII 52 No. 22; India: *Thompson-Balys; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 141 No. 14; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3040, Balys Legends Nos. 50-57; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 83f. Nos. 27, 29, 30; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 84 No. 22. |
| A1337.4 | Origin of fever. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1658.1 | Origin of fiana (bands of professional warriors). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1311.3 | Origin of fingernails. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1546.6 | Origin of fire worship. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1414.3 | Origin of fire—children strike rocks together, accidentally produce fire. Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 60. |
| A1414.2 | Origin of fire—found in person's own body. Australian, New Guinea, Torres Str., Massim (British New Guinea): Dixon 115 n. 47; Marquesas: Handy 13; S. Am. Indian (Warrau): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 146. |
| A1414.4 | Origin of fire—gift from god (supernatural person). India: Thompson-Balys.—Maori: Clark 42; Isabel Is.: Beckwith Myth 504; Hawaii: ibid. 499; S. Am. Indian (Sherente): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (1) 515, (Cashiba): Steward-Métraux ibid. (3) 595, (Chamacoco): Métraux ibid. (1) 368, (Warrau): Kirchoff ibid. (3) 880, (Caviсa, Tumupasa): Métraux ibid. 448, (Chiriguano): *Métraux RMLP XXXIII 171, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 54; Africa: Bouvergnes 14f., (Bushongo): Torday 237, (Congo): Weeks 205f. |
| A1414.1 | Origin of fire—rubbing sticks. Greek: Fox 192 (Hermes); Jewish: Neuman.—Kaffir: Kidd 253 No. 13; Marquesas: Handy 13. |
| A1414 | Origin of fire. **Frazer Fire.—Irish myth: Cross; Persian: Carnoy 284.—Micronesian: Dixon 254f.; N. A. Indian (Kaska): *Teit JAFL XXX 443, (Tahltan): Teit JAFL XXXII 219, (Sinkyone): Kroeber JAFL XXXII 347, (Shasta): Frachtenberg JAFL XXVIII 210, (Calif. Indian): Gayton and Newman 63; Aztec: Alexander Lat. Am. 93; S. Am. Indian (Jibaro, Peru): Karsten (rev. JAFL XXXII 446), (Tropical Forest): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (3) 55, (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 158, 171. |
| A1271 | Origin of first parents. |
| A2834 | Origin of fish drug. S. Am. Indian: Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 253. |
| A1457.6 | Origin of fish ponds. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 19. |
| A1457.5 | Origin of fish-traps. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 194f. |
| A2305.1 | Origin of fish's flat body. (See A2231.9.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 89 No. 119a. |
| A2315 | Origin of fish's scales. |
| A1457.4 | Origin of fishing stations. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 19, 22f. |
| A1457 | Origin of fishing. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Cubao): BBAE CXLIII (3) 798. |
| A2684.1 | Origin of flax. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 112. |
| A2032.3 | Origin of flea: from squirrel. (Cf. A1710.).—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 93 No. 105. |
| A1414.5 | Origin of flint and tinder. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2815 | Origin of floating webs in summer. *Dh II 254. |
| A2126.0.1 | Origin of flounder from Virgin Mary's half-eaten fish. (See A2305.1.2.)—*Dh II 1ff.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 21 No. 116, XXXIII 55 No. 116; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 91 No. 91; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 149 No. 64; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3180, Legends No. 282. |
| A2126 | Origin of flounder. |
| A2305.1.2 | Origin of flounder's flat body. (See A2126.)—*Dh I 248, 290, II 1ff., 269, III 35. |
| A2650 | Origin of flowers. (See A2617.1, A2621.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1117 | Origin of foam on waters. West Indian: Parsons JAFL XXXII 443. |
| A1420.1 | Origin of food from body of slain food-goddess. (Cf. A2611.1). Japanese: Anesaki 232, Ikeda. |
| A2657 | Origin of forget-me-not. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 255*. |
| A925.3 | Origin of foul odor of sea. Jewish: Neuman; Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 3/1110). |
| A925.4 | Origin of fresh water welling up in sea. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 96. |
| A2162 | Origin of frog. Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 55 No. 11; Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 38 No. 55 (Cf. A1710).—Lithuanian: Balys Legends Nos. 127fl, 202; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Naskapi: Speck JAFL XXVIII 74. |
| A1135.3 | Origin of frost. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 22; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2687 | Origin of fruits. |
| A1547 | Origin of funeral customs. Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A1547.1 | Origin of funeral sacrifices. (Cf. A1545.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1465.3.1 | Origin of gadaba ornaments. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1535.3 | Origin of games (fair) at Telltown (Tailtiu). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1535.2 | Origin of games and fairs. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1468 | Origin of games of skill (indoor). |
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