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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 ▲ |
|---|---|
| A511.1.9 | Culture hero born from egg. S. Am. Indian (Jivaro): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 148, (Huamachuco): ibid. 151, (North Peru): Métraux ibid. 133. |
| A511.1.7 | Culture hero born three times. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A538 | Culture hero builds raths. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A526.1 | Culture hero can be wounded. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A527.3.1 | Culture hero can transform self. S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 473. |
| A526.8 | Culture hero can turn feet and knees backwards. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A511.2.2.2 | Culture hero cared for by tiger. S. Am. Indian (Yurakari): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 144. |
| A530.1 | Culture hero completes work of creator. S. Am. Indian (Guarani): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 93, (Tucuna): Nimuendajú BBAE CXLIII (3) 724. |
| A531.4 | Culture hero conquers sea monster. Chinese-Persian: Coyajee JPASB XXIV 190. |
| A511.1.4.4 | Culture hero creates a companion from a toenail. S. Am. Indian (Yurakare): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 144. |
| A1703 | Culture hero creates useful animals. S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 473. |
| A512.2 | Culture hero creator's son. Norse: MacCulloch Eddic 328.—S. Am. Indian (Ackawoi) (Orinoco): Alexander Lat. Am. 269, (Guaporé River): Levi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 378, (Guarani): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 92f. |
| A547 | Culture hero dispenses food and hospitality. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A545 | Culture hero establishes customs. India: Thompson-Balys.—Mixtec: Alexander Lat. Am. 86; S. A. Indian (Bakairi): Lévi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 347, (Tupinamba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 93, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 79, 367, (Mataco): Métraux ibid. 105, 367, (Cubeo): Goldman BBAE CXLIII (3) 798, (Tucuna): Nimuendajú BBAE CXLIII (3) 724. |
| A530 | Culture hero establishes law and order. Norse: Boberg; Greek: Fox 103; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A546 | Culture hero establishes social system. Persian: Carnoy 317; India Thompson-Balys. |
| A531.3 | Culture hero exterminates race of tigers. S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 148, (Amuesha): ibid. 150, (Apapocuvu-Guarani): ibid. 138. |
| A515.5 | Culture hero fights with (encounters) son without recognizing him. |
| A525.1 | Culture hero fights with his elder brother. Ojibwa: Jones-Michelson PAES VII (1) 19. |
| A515.3 | Culture hero has blood brother. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A515.4 | Culture hero has faithful attendant. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A526.3 | Culture hero has irresistible beauty spot (ball seirc). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A527.2 | Culture hero has knowledge-giving member (thumb, tooth). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A524.1.1 | Culture hero has marvelous dogs. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A524.1.2 | Culture hero has marvelous horses. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A526.5 | Culture hero has seven pupils in each eye, seven toes on each foot, seven fingers on each hand. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A528 | Culture hero has supernatural helpers. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A526.4 | Culture hero has three heads of hair of different colors. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A511.1.2.2 | Culture hero in mother's womb indicates direction to be taken by her. S. Am. Indian (Tupinamba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 132, (Apapacuvo-Guarani): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 139. |
| A511.1.3 | Culture hero incarnated through birth from virgin. Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 387. |
| A541.1 | Culture hero invents and teaches the Irish language. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A511.2.3 | Culture hero is hidden in order to escape enemies. S. Am. Indian (Bakairi): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 145, (Tembé, Kaigua): Métraux ibid. 139. |
| A511.1.8.2 | Culture hero offspring of woman and jaguar. S. Am. Indian (Eastern Brazil): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (1) 434, (Bakairi): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 145. |
| A526.7 | Culture hero performs remarkable feats of strength and skill. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A511.1.6 | Culture hero posthumous child. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A527.1 | Culture hero precocious. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A511.3.2 | Culture hero reared (educated) by extraordinary (supernatural) personages. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A511.3.1 | Culture hero reared in seclusion. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A510.2 | Culture hero reborn. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A533 | Culture hero regulates rivers. |
| A581.2 | Culture hero returns and aids followers in battle. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A581.1 | Culture hero returns and assists mortals. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A581.3 | Culture hero returns to prove power of saint. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A566 | Culture hero returns to upper world. S. Am. Indian (Apapocuvá-Guaraní): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 136ff., (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 148f., 157. |
| A511.1.1 | Culture hero snatched from mother's side. *Dh I 11.—Finnish: Kalevala rune 1.—S. Am. Indian (Tehuelche): Alexander Lat. Am. 335, (Jivaro): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 148f., (Warrau): Métraux ibid. 146, (Kaiguа): Métraux ibid. 139, (Chiriguano): Métraux ibid. 156, (North Peru): Métraux ibid. 133, (Eastern Brazil): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (1) 434. |
| A511.1.8 | Culture hero son of animal. |
| A511.1.8.1 | Culture hero son of deer mother. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A511.1.5 | Culture hero son of mortal (half-mortal) father. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A531.1 | Culture hero spares certain evil spirits. Old Age, Cold, Poverty, and Hunger beg the culture hero not to destroy them because of their real usefulness to man.—Navaho: Matthews MAFLS V 130ff. |
| A511.1.2 | Culture hero speaks before birth. Krappe Zeitschrift für deutsches Altertum LXXII (1935) 161—171.—African: Werner African 213. |
| A533.1 | Culture hero stays current of river. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1446.0.1 | Culture hero steals tools for men. S. Am. Indian. (Tapirape): Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 178. |
| A571.1 | Culture hero still alive in hollow hill. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A571.2 | Culture hero still alive on mysterious island. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A572 | Culture hero still keeps watch over earth. S. Am. Indian (Apapocuvá-Guaraní): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 138. |
| A570 | Culture hero still lives. Köhler-Bolte I 411; Irish myth: Cross. |
| A572.1 | Culture hero still resides in the zenith. S. Am. Indian (Guaraní): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 93. |
| A511.2.2.1 | Culture hero suckled by wolf. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A535 | Culture hero swallowed and recovered from animal. Irish myth: Cross; Persian: Carnoy 302. |
| A532 | Culture hero tames winds in caves. Western Mono: Gifford JAFL XXXVI 326ff. Nos. 9, 10. |
| A541 | Culture hero teaches arts and crafts. Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys.—American Indian: in practically all the mythologies—see Thompson Tales 272 n. 1; Eskimo (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 456; S. Am. Indian (Maya): Alexander Lat. Am. 131ff., (Bakairi): Alexander Lat. Am. 313, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XXXX 78, 84, 86, 112ff., Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 368, (Guaporé River): Lévi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 379, (Chiriguano): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 484, (Guarayú): Métraux BBAE (3) 437, (Cubeo): Goldman BBAE CXLIII (3) 789, (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 685.—Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 115; New Hebrides (Banks Is.): Codrington 152—166. |
| A1357 | Culture hero teaches women how to rear their children. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 112f. |
| A526.5.1 | Culture hero with different colored eyes, one brown, one green. Maori: Clark 30. |
| A526.6 | Culture hero, when angry, subject to contortions. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A560 | Culture hero's (demigod's) departure. Irish myth: Cross; Finnish: Kalevala rune 50; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A580 | Culture hero's (divinity's) expected return. Divinity or hero is expected to return at the proper time and rescue his people from their misfortunes. Often joined with A571.—*Norlind "Skattsägner".—Danish: Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. XXIX 74; Fb. "Holger Danske"; Norse: Olrik Ragnarök 108ff., 478 (Balder); Irish myth: Cross; Welsh: MacCulloch Celtic 194 (Arthur); Eng., Scot.: Baughman; Finnish: Kalevala rune 50.—Jewish: Neuman; Persian: Carnoy 339.—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 274 n. 11a.; Aztec: Alexander Lat. Am. 66. |
| A524.1 | Culture hero's extraordinary animals. |
| A512.1 | Culture hero's grandmother. Eskimo (Kodiak): Golder JAFL XVI 16. |
| A592 | Culture heroes and descendants. |
| A515.1 | Culture heroes brothers. Araucanian: Alexander Lat. Am. 330; N. Am. Indian: *Thompson Tales 280 n. 35. |
| A537 | Culture heroes clear plains. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1405 | Culture originated by ancestor of tribes. Jewish: Neuman; S. Am. Indian (Tucuna): Nimuendajú BBAE CXLIII (3) 724. |
| A1401 | Culture originated by previous race of men. N. A. Indian: Kroeber JAFL XXI 226 s.v. "Departed race." |
| A165.3.2 | Cupbearer of the gods controls waters. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A165.3.1 | Cupbearer of the gods is god of smith-work. *MacCulloch Celtic 31. |
| A165.3 | Cupbearer of the gods. Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 37 n. 4. |
| A475.0.1 | Cupid with arrows of lead and gold. *Reinhard PMLA XXXVIII 438 n. 42. |
| A2726.1 | Curse of tale-telling banana affects all others. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1527 | Custom of catching fish with nets. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 53. |
| A1650.2 | Custom of differentiating social classes by color of dress introduced. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1545.4 | Custom of sacrifice begun at harvest and sowing times. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A726 | Daily course of sun across sky. |
| A159 | Daily life of the gods—miscellaneous. |
| A150 | Daily life of the gods. |
| A411.3 | Dairy-god. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A166 | Dancers of the gods. Hindu: Keith 143; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 186. |
| A989.1 | Dark brown patches on soil mark place where marvelous cow (Glas) and her calf lay. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A689.1 | Dark puddles in hell. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A592.2.1 | Daughter of culture hero gives birth to boy. S. Am. Indian (Tupinamba): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 169. |
| A1179.2.1 | Dawn reflection of roses of paradise. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A104.2 | Dead body becomes god. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 2. |
| A1335.14 | Death comes into the world by treachery of the gods: stick used by man for scratching his back is changed into cobra.—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A487.0.1 | Death kills only those whose time it is to die. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A192.1 | Death of the gods. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 340ff. (at the Doom); Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 110; Tahiti: Henry 231; Chinese: Werner 99, Eberhard FFC CXX 141; Africa: Bouveignes 12. |
| A192 | Death or departure of the gods. |
| A1335.12 | Death origin: God sends a woman to sell poisoned curds to man. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1335.9.1 | Death sent into the world by culture hero (God) when he got tired of man. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A196.2 | Decree of gods irrevocable. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A179 | Deeds of the gods—miscellaneous. |
| A170 | Deeds of the gods. |
| A661.1.0.4 | Deer (Eikthyrnir) in Valhalla fills the fountain Hvergelmir. Icel.: Boberg. |
| A52.0.2 | Degraded gods become angels. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A185.10 | Deity accompanies mortal on journey as guide. Jewish: Neuman; Oahu (Hawaii): Beckwith Myth 328; Tahiti: ibid. 221; Africa (Fang): Einstein 94. |
| A189.6 | Deity appears before human being after prayers. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A115.3 | Deity arises from mist. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 71. |
| A115.6 | Deity arises from shell of darkness where he has been for million ages. Tahiti: Henry. |
| A189.7 | Deity ascertains destiny of newborn babe and inscribes it upon his forehead. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A185.5 | Deity assists at man's wedding. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A199.6 | Deity authenticates sacred writings in heaven. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A114.1 | Deity born from sea-foam. Aphrodite. Greek: Roscher I 402; *Frazer Pausanias III 544. |
| A114.3 | Deity born from skull. Easter Is.: Métraux Ethnology 312. |
| A114.4 | Deity born from tree. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 279, 284.—So. Am. Indian (Tembé): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 122. |
| A114.2.1 | Deity born in shape of egg. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 169. |
| A185.4 | Deity buries dead mortal. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A185 | Deity cares for favorite individuals. Greek: Fox 33, 170f., 197; Icelandic: Volsunga Saga chap. 13, Boberg; Jewish: Neuman; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 187f. |
| A196.2.1 | Deity changes decision. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A625.2.4 | Deity clothes his father the sky after he has separated him from earth. Maori: Clark 16. |
| A197 | Deity controls elements. Jewish: *Neuman; Greek: "Zeus the cloud gatherer"; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 10, 15ff., 32ff., 68—96, et passim.—Tahiti: Henry 337. |
| A2034.1.2 | Deity creates mosquitoes to irritate other gods. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 128. |
| A1275.1.1 | Deity creates princess from prince's body and gives her to him. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A192.2.1 | Deity departs for heaven (skies). Polynesia: Moriori (Chatham Is.), Pora Pora (Society Is.), Samoa: Beckwith Myth 38, 43, *241ff., 254; So. Am. Indian (Apapocuvá-Guarani): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 122. |
| A192.2.1.1 | Deity departs for moon. Polynesia: Hawaii, Beckwith Myth 220, *241; Tuamotu: Stimson MS (T-G. 3/931). |
| A115.4 | Deity emerges from darkness of underworld. Mangia (Cook Is.): Beckwith Myth 224. |
| A132.1.1 | Deity has snake-children. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A125 | Deity in human form. (The human form is assumed in most mythologies.) —Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; Samoa: Henry 346. |
| A183 | Deity invoked. Greek: Odyssey IX line 528, Iliad I 218, et passim; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 2, chap. 1 passim. |
| A151.7 | Deity lives in forest. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 1059.—Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 36f. |
| A419.1 | Deity of particular forest. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 17. |
| A418 | Deity of particular mountain. (cf. A495). Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 529; Korean: Zong in-Sob 170 no. 73; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 185ff. |
| A498 | Deity of stone. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A419.2 | Deity of the deserts. |
| A185.6 | Deity particular friend to one mortal. |
| A185.8 | Deity promises to restore city. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A185.2 | Deity protects mortal. Jewish: Neuman; Greek myth passim. |
| A185.12 | Deity provides man with soul. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A179.5 | Deity reincarnated. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 279. |
| A151.7.1 | Deity resides in tree. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 1319.—India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 136. F441.2.1. Wood-nymph. |
| A2221.11 | Deity rewards animal for bringing him water: cause of present characteristics. Maori: Clark 54. |
| A136.1.6 | Deity rides a buffalo. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A136.1.7 | Deity rides a lion. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A136.1.1 | Deity rides boar. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 22 (Freya), 109 (Frey). |
| A307 | Deity ruler of lowest heaven. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 938. |
| A185.3 | Deity teaches mortal. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A131.3 | Deity with animal's head. |
| A131.3.1 | Deity with cat's head. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A109 | Deity: miscellaneous motifs. |
| A100 | Deity. |
| A199.3 | Deity's child becomes fire as soon as he is born. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A196 | Deity's limitations. |
| A165.2.0.1 | Deity's messenger can assume any guise he wishes. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 906. |
| A159.1 | Deity's special drum. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 965. C916.2. Animals produced when forbidden drum is beaten. |
| A2034.1 | Deity's wife creates mosquitoes to drive her husband out of jungle. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1016.2 | Deluge produced by hot liquid which burns as it floods. American Indian (Salinan): Mason JAFL XXVII 163f., (Krawak): Ehrenreich Mythen und Legenden 49. |
| A1019 | Deluge—miscellaneous. |
| A1021 | Deluge: escape in boat (ark). *Dh I 258ff.—Irish myth: Cross; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 324, Boberg; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Greek: Fox 19, Grote I 93; Hebrew: Genesis, ch. 6, 7, 8; Jewish: Moreno Esdras; Babylonian: Spence 173f.; Hindu: Keith 99; India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 1056; Chinese: Graham, Eberhard FFC CXX 84; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 364.—Pelew Is. (Micronesia): Dixon 257; Maori: Beckwith Myth 316.—American Indian: *Thompson CColl II 452, (Eskimo): Boas RBAE VI 637f., (Carrier): Jenness JAFL XLVII 141ff., (Chipewyan): Lowie PaAM X 195, (Coos): Frachtenberg CU I 45—49, (Kathlamet): Boas BBAE XXVI 23, (Nootka): Sapir JAFL XXXII 353ff., (Chimariko): Dixon UCal. V 304, (Salishan): Teit MAFLS XI 13, 132; (Crow): Lowie paAM XXV 16, (Cochiti): Benedict BBAE XCVIII 2ff., (White Mountain Apache): Goodwin MAFLS XXXIII 50ff., (Ojibwa): Radin JAFL XLI 70ff., (Choctaw): Bushnell AA n. s. XII 528f., (Shawnee): Spencer JAFL XXII 319, (Natchez): Swanton BBAE LXXXVIII 121, 214, (Aztec): Alexander Lat. Am. 85f., (Arawak): ibid. 273, (Carib): ibid. 39, (Mbaya): Muller Anthropos XXIX, (Mura): Nimuendajú BBAE CXLIII (3) 265, (Taulipang): Camara Cascudo Antologia de Folclore Brasileira 124ff. (These are only a selection of the American Indian references). |
| A1021.0.3 | Deluge: escape in gourd. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1021.0.5 | Deluge: escape in hollow tree trunk. American Indian (Seneca): Curtin-Hewitt RBAE XXXII 636ff., (Mexican): Bancroft Native Races of the Pacific States of America (New York 1874—76) III 66ff. |
| A1021.0.6 | Deluge: escape on floating building. American Indian (Tlingit): Bancroft Native Races V 14, (Cahita): Beals BBAE CXLII 216f. |
| A1021.0.4 | Deluge: escape on floating tree. Korean: Zong in-Sob 16 No. 8. |
| A1010 | Deluge. Inundation of whole world or section.—**Anderson Nordasiatische Flutsagen; **Andree Die Flutsagen (Braunschweig, 1891); **Diestel Die Sintflut und die Flutsagen des Altertums (Berlin 1876); *Woods Encyc. Religion and Ethics s.v. "Deluge"; **Winternitz Die Flutsagen des Altertums (Wien 1901); **Fischer Weltwenden: Die grossen Fluten in Sage und Wirklichkeit (Leipzig 1925); **Gerland Der Mythus von der Sintflut (Bonn 1912); **Usener Die Sintflutsagen untersucht (Bonn 1899); Ley Eiszeit (Anhang: Eiszeit u. Sintflut) (Erfurt 1928); *Riem Die Sintflut in Sage und Wissenschaft (Hamburg 1925); *F. von Schwarz Sintflut und Völkerwanderung (Stuttgart 1894); **Feilberg Skabelses og Syndflodssagn (1915); *Maria Alice Moura Pessoa A Bibliographic Study of the Deluge Myth in the Americas (MA Thesis, Columbia University 1948).—Irish myth: Cross; Greek: Fox 19, *Frazer Apollodorus I 55 n. 1, II 88 n. 2; Egyptian: Müller 75f.; Persian: Carnoy 270; Hindu: Keith 105, Charpentier Kleine Beiträge 34 n. 1; India: Thompson-Balys; Indo-Chinese: Scott 267, 278ff.; Chinese: Graham; Korean: Zong in-Sob 16 No. 8; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 361ff.—Indonesian: Dixon 178ff., 256f.; Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 189; Melanesian: Cole. 119f.; Polynesian: ibid. 38; Samoan: ibid. 17; Australian: ibid 280; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 307, 314.—N. A. Indian (general): *Thompson Tales 286 n. 57, Alexander N. Am. 299 f. n. 49, also 177, 180, 203, 205 (Pima, Walapai, Sia, Hopi); Sinkyone: Kroeber JAFL XXXII 347; Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 55; Eskimo (Central): Boas RBAE VI 637, (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 452, (Cape York): Rasmussen III 48, (Northwest Canada): Pétitot Traditions 2; Maya: Alexander Lat. Am. 152f.; Mixtec: ibid. 87; S. Am. Indian (Carib): Alexander Lat. Am. 39, (Chibcha): ibid. 203, (Amazon tribes): ibid. 311, (Jivaro, Yugua): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 627, 736, (Cubeo): Goldman ibid. (3) 798, (Aymara): Tschopik ibid. (2) 571, (Zaparoans, Pebans): Steward ibid. (3) 532, (Bacairi): Lévi-Strauss ibid. (3) 347, (Nambicuara): Lévi-Strauss ibid. (3) 369, (Guaporé): Lévi-Strauss ibid. (3) 379, (Caingang): Métraux ibid. (1) 473, (Eastern Brazil): Lowie ibid. (1) 397.—African: *Wagener 13ff. |
| A592.1 | Demigod and witch woman of upper world have son. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 13/249). |
| A531.4.1 | Demigod conquers great octopus. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 22. |
| A305 | Demigod of underworld. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G 13/221, 249, 317); Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 155 n. 33. |
| A511.1.3.1 | Demigod son of king's unmarried sister (daughter) by god. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A511.1.3.2 | Demigod son of king's unmarried sister by her brother. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A590 | Demigods and culture heroes—miscellaneous. |
| A500 | Demigods and culture heroes. Irish myth: Cross; Hawaii: *Beckwith Myth 60. |
| A513.1 | Demigods descend from heaven. Irish myth: Cross.—S. Am. Indian (Tapirapé): Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 178; Maori: Clark 30. |
| A536 | Demigods fight as allies of mortals. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A106.2.1.2 | Demon (opposed to God) allowed to earth four times a year (but must let people know who he is and not deceive them). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A317 | Demon god lies in wait for spirits descending to underworld. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (T-G 3/18). |
| A165.4.1 | Demons as watchmen of the gods upon earth. Greek: *Grote I 63. |
| A575 | Departed deity grants requests to visitors. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 276 n. 17. |
| A192.2 | Departure of gods. Tonga: Gifford 102, Nukuhiva (Marquesas): Handy 123. |
| A1224 | Descent of man from animals. *Lang Myth I 179, 184; *Hdwb. d. Abergl. I 465; *Frazer Old Testament I 33ff.—Australian: Van Gennep Mythes et légendes d'Australie 2f., 8f.; Koryak: Jochelson JE VI 374; Eskimo (Smith Sound): Kroeber JAFL XII 168, (Ungava): Turner RBAE XI 261, (Greenland): Rink 471, (Cape York): Rasmussen III 85, (W. Hudson Bay): Boas BAM XV 359, (Labrador): Hawkes GSCan XIV 152, (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 482, (Mackenzie River): Jenness RCanAE XIII 81; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 104. |
| A1224.5 | Descent of men from monkeys. Chinese: Graham. |
| A1017.1 | Desire of man for sun causes flood. S. Am. Indian (Chaco): Métraux BBAE CXXXIV 26. |
| A1172 | Determination of night and day. After much discussion, the relative length of these divisions is determined.—Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Maori: Clark 43, 46; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 289 n. 62; S. Am. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 683; African (Fang): Einstein 169. |
| A1322 | Determination of relation between birth-rate and death-rate. Japanese: Anesaki 224. |
| A1150 | Determination of seasons. Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 87 n. 3; India: Thompson-Balys.—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 288 n. 60, (Ojibwa): Jones JAFL XXIX 372, Carson JAFL XXX 493, (Tahltan): Teit JAFL XXXII 226, 246, (Naskapi): Speck JAFL XXVIII 76. |
| A1320 | Determination of span of life. *Köhler-Bolte I 42.—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 288 n. 60b. |
| A1160 | Determination of the months. Jewish: Neuman.—Ojibwa: Carson JAFL XXX 493. |
| A1181 | Determination of world center. By reaching to its ends.—N. A. Indian: Kroeber JAFL XXI 223. |
| A1182 | Determination of world quarters. The four cardinal points.—Yuma: N. Curtis Craftsman XVI 560. |
| A697.3 | Deva world. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 861, II 892, 909. |
| A162.3.1 | Devil (ogre) steals thunder's instruments. Icel.: Thrymskvida; Lappish, Finnish, Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian: *Balys Tautosakos Darbai VI (1939) 33—43. |
| A63.4 | Devil and God create animals. Wolf created as God's dog. The devil creates goats to destroy things.—BP III 199 (Gr. No. 148); Dh I 127—205 passim. |
| A63.3 | Devil and God wrestle at time of creation. *Dh I 184f. |
| A977.2.1 | Devil and man throw stones in contest. England, Wales: *Baughman. |
| A43 | Devil as adviser of God. *Dh I 2f., 6, 12, 28, 31, 42, 44, 127ff., 144, 240, 388.—Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 313ff. |
| A812.1 | Devil as Earth Diver. Satan dives for earth at instance of God. Succeeds only third time (by use of right formula). He hides the earth under his tongue. It swells, and he must be rescued by God.—*Dh I 2-89 passim, *Handwb. d. Abergl. IX Nachträge 277ff.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 3 No. 1; Estonian: Loorits Grundzüge I 455f., Aarne FFC XXV 139 No. 1; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 80 No. 1; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3005; Legends Nos. 7-12;10, 12f.; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 313ff. |
| A63 | Devil as marplot at creation. *Dh I 6—89 passim, 127—205 passim; *Handwb. d. Abergl. IX (Nachträge) 276f.—Estonian: Loorits Grundzüge I 458f. |
| A977.3 | Devil drops stones. England: *Baughman. |
| A2286.2.2 | Devil gives horse four eyes; God reduces them to two. Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 144 No. 33. |
| A1293 | Devil in God's absence puts sickness in Adam's body. Dh I 98ff. |
| A63.6 | Devil in serpent form tempts first woman (Satan and Eve). Jewish: Neuman.—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1833.1 | Devil makes wolf; God gives him life. (Cf. A1755.)—Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 145 No. 39. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3086; Legends Nos. 139—146. |
| A478.5 | Devil of leprosy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A63.2 | Devil plans to drown God at time of creation. *Dh I 184f.—Lithuanian: Balys Index 3005; Balys Legends No. 11. |
| A1756 | Devil produces animals only in God's name. He tries unsuccessfully without using God's name. Dh I 146ff. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3086; Legends Nos. 139—146, 152. |
| A2216.2 | Devil pulls off goats' tails: hence lack tails. (Cf. A2378.2.2.)—*BP III 200 (Gr. No. 148). |
| A977.2.3 | Devil throws down quoits when he is told that it is wrong to play on Sunday. They remain as stones to this day.—England: Baughman. |
| A2734.1 | Devil throws sand at aspen: hence rough bark. Angered because aspens will not cease quivering. (Cf. A2751.2.1.)—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 23 No. 132. |
| A977.2 | Devil throws stones. England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| A2734.2 | Devil throws tar at tree: hence tar in tree-heart. (Cf. A2755.3.) —Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 4 No. 10. Cf. Type 153. |
| A63.1 | Devil works during God's sleep at creation. *Dh I 2, 42f., 55, 60, 102, 115ff.; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2286.2.1 | Devil's animals devour God's. God makes white fish, devil a pike to eat it up; God a worm, devil a frog to eat it, etc. (Cf. A1751.)—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 20 No. 115; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 149 No. 63. |
| A2286.2.3 | Devil's cows one-horned; God makes them two-horned. (Cf. A2326.3.1.)—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 88 No 63. |
| A1217 | Devil's unsuccessful attempt to vivify his creations as God has done. Succeeds only in making animal.—Dh I 90ff., 156ff.; *Fb "menneske" II 578a.—Lithuanian: Balys Legends Nos. 4, 39, 41, 149; Jewish: *Neuman; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 61; Maidu: Dixon BAM XVII 39ff. No. 1. |
| A1755 | Devil's unsuccessful creation produces certain animals. (Cf. A1811, A1833.1, A1862, A1893.)—Dh I 156. |
| A1610.5 | Different tribes result from choice of things Sun offers people. S. Am. Indian (Bacairi): Lévi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 348. |
| A1227 | Different types of men produced from one original type. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1691 | Differentiation between "free" (saer) and "unfree" (daer). Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2723.1 | Discontented pine-tree: cause of pine needles. Pine tree given silk leaves, glass leaves, etc. Always discontented. Finally has needles again. (Cf. A2767.1.)—*Dh III 337.—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 94 No. 114. |
| A2231.1.2 | Discourteous answer: flounder's crooked mouth. When God asks him where he is going, instead of answering he turns to go toward God. His mouth becomes crooked. (Cf. A2341.1.)—Dh III 24f.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 21 No. 117; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 91 No. 92; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 89 No. 117; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3178, Legends Nos. 273—281. |
| A2231.1.4 | Discourteous answer: tortoise's shell. Zeus celebrates a wedding and invites the animals. Tortoise is late. Why? "I like my house." "May you bear your house always." (Cf. A2312.1.)—Dh IV 275f.—Wienert FFC LVI 76 (ET 424), 139 (ST 443); Halm Aesop No. 154. |
| A2231.1.1 | Discourteous answer: why cow (horse) is always eating. When God (Peter) wants to use the cow (horse) the excuse is made that she (he) is eating. Curse: "May you always be eating!" (Cf. A2472.1, A2478.)—Dh II 93; *Fb "hest" IV 211b.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 11 No. 59 (horse); ibid. 12 No. 62 (cow); Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 143 No. 32 (horse); Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3094, Legends Nos. 163—175. |
| A2231.1.3 | Discourteous answer: why crab has eyes behind. (Cf. A2332.4.1.)—Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 151 No. 74; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3178, Legends Nos. 273—281. |
| A1429.1 | Discovery of oil (edible). India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Bushongo): Torday 249. |
| A1426.1 | Discovery of oil. India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Bushongo): Torday 249. |
| A1337.0.5 | Disease as punishment. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1337.0.2 | Disease caused by ghosts. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1337.0.4 | Disease caused by menstrual blood. (Cf. D1003.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1337.0.1 | Disease caused by the gods. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1337.0.3 | Disease caused by witchcraft. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1337.0.6 | Disease to prevent man enjoying himself too much. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2520 | Disposition of animals. |
| A716 | Dispute at creation of sun. God and devil discuss creation. God plans two suns; devil persuades him to create only one.—Dh I 128ff.; cf. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 498. |
| A139.7 | Distinctive aroma of gods. Gaster Thespis 211, 389, 397. |
| A1690 | Distribution and differentiation of people—miscellaneous. |
| A1600 | Distribution and differentiation of peoples—general. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1316.3.1 | Distribution of eyes. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1316.1 | Distribution of noses. The earlier comers receive big noses, the later small.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 5 No. 15. |
| A1620 | Distribution of tribes. Hebrew: Genesis ch. 10; Indo-Chinese: Scott 292.—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 149, (Fjort): Dennett 108 No. 31; India: Thompson-Balys.—N. A. Indian: (general) *Thompson Tales 285 n. 54, (Hopi): Alexander N. Am. 205, (Tahltan): Teit JAFL XXXII 213; Cakchiquel: Alexander Lat. Am. 181; S. Am. Indian (Yuracare): ibid. 315. |
| A2238.4 | Diver eats nests of small birds: must not nest away from water. (Cf. A2431.3.2.)—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 19 No. 104. |
| A2431.3.2 | Diver's nest. (See A2238.4.)—Dh III 202. |
| A112.10 | Divine child cast out at birth. Polynesia: Beckwith Myth 257. |
| A527.1.1 | Divine twins make selves a bow and arrow. S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 143, 156, (Carib): ibid. 147. |
| A192.4 | Divinity becomes mortal. Tonga: Beckwith Myth 75. |
| A192.2.2 | Divinity departs in boat over sea. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 29, *37. |
| A192.2.4 | Divinity departs in column of flame. Pora Pora (Society Is.): Beckwith Myth 38. |
| A192.2.3 | Divinity departs to submarine home. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 206. |
| A567 | Divinity retires to the end of the world. S. Am. Indian (Yuracare): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 503. |
| A194.1 | Divinity weeps. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A195 | Divinity's companions. |
| A562 | Divinity's departure for east. S. A. Indian (Tehuelche, Patagonia): Alexander Lat. Am. 336. |
| A561 | Divinity's departure for west. American Indian: *Thompson Tales 274 n. 11; S. A. Indian (Inca): Alexander Lat. Am. 240, (Yuracare, W. Brazil): ibid. 315, (Guarayú): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 437, Métraux RMLP XXXIII 147. |
| A194 | Divinity's emotions. |
| A161.1 | Division of control of universe among gods. Greek: Grote I 3, 9. |
| A1472.1 | Division of labor: religious and lay activities. Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
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