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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.

5,810 motifs

Page 14 of 24 · 250 per page
Thompson reference ▲ Description
A1516 Origin of cannibalism. Maori: Clark 15; Easter Is.: Métraux Ethnology 377.
A1517 Origin of eating tabus. Tonga: Gifford 80; New Guinea: Ker 13, 52; Africa: Bouveignes 15.
A1518 Why food is cooked. New Guinea: Ker 97.
A1520 Origin of hunting and fishing customs. Irish myth: Cross.
A1525 Origin of customs: game-division. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 243f.
A1526 Why Indians cache their meat. Chitimacha: Swanton JAFL XXX 467.
A1527 Custom of catching fish with nets. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 53.
A1528 Why one presents stranger with first fish caught. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 22.
A1530 Origin of social ceremonials.
A1533 Origin of peace ceremonies. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 213.
A1534 Origin of "guesting." Irish myth: Cross.
A1535 Origin of secular feasts. Jewish: Neuman.
A1535.1 Origin of the potlatch. A feast of the Indians of the Northwest Coast of America in which large amounts of property are given away to the guests. These feasts must be returned. Quileute: Farrand JAFL XXXII 258.
A1535.2 Origin of games and fairs. Irish myth: Cross.
A1535.3 Origin of games (fair) at Telltown (Tailtiu). Irish myth: Cross.
A1535.4 Origin of feast of Tara. Irish myth: Cross.
A1535.5 Festival of Beltane. Irish myth: Cross.
A1535.6 Origin of horse-racing. Irish myth: Cross.
A1537 Origin of social etiquette. Jewish: Neuman.
A1537.1 Origin of wishing long life to person who sneezes. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 731.
A1539 Origin of social ceremonials—miscellaneous.
A1539.1 Origin of seating arrangements in royal hall. Irish myth: Cross.
A1540 Origin of religious ceremonials. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 85 Nos. 36a, 43d.—India: *Thompson-Balys; Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 171f.
A1541 Origin of religious feasts and fasts. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys.
A1541.1 Origin of feast for the dead. (Cf. A1543.1.)—Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 238.
A1541.1.1 Origin of grave-digging Irish myth: Cross.
A1541.1.2 Communion feast to placate dead. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1541.2 Origin of feasts in honor of certain god (goddess). Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys.
A1541.2.1 Origin of feast for Zise. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1541.3 Origin of Hallowe'en. Irish myth: Cross.
A1541.3.1 Origin of Hallowe'en as a mystic night. Irish myth: Cross.
A1541.4 Origin of Sabbath. Jewish: Neuman.
A1541.4.0.1 Holy day established on seventh day. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 45.
A1541.4.1 Origin of Sabbath from a feast to Venus. Spanish Exempla: Keller.
A1541.4.2 Origin of dragon festival. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 238 No. 185.
A1541.5 Origin of passover. Jewish: Neuman.
A1541.6 Origin of Pentecost. Jewish: Neuman.
A1541.7 Origin of religious fasts. Jewish: Neuman.
A1542 Origin of religious dances. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 359.
A1542.1 Origin of particular manner of dancing. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1542.2 Origin of particular dance.
A1542.2.1 Origin of crocodile dance. Africa (Fang): Einstein 48.
A1543 Origin of religious songs (chants).
A1543.1 Origin of the death chant. (Cf. A1541.1.)—Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 239; Irish myth: Cross.
A1544 Origin of religious images (idols). Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 516; Easter Is.: Métraux Ethnology 261.
A1544.0.1 Why Jews do not worship idols. Jewish: Neuman.
A1545 Origin of sacrifices. Greek: *Grote I 25f., 28; Irish myth: Cross; Icel.: Boberg; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 36, 59, 199.
A1545.1 Regulations for sacrifices. Hebrew: Leviticus ch. 1-7; Greek: *Grote I 25f., 28; Jewish: Neuman; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 64, 70, 198, 397; Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 238.
A1545.2 Animal substituted for human sacrifice. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys.
A1545.3 Origin of animal sacrifices. India: *Thompson-Balys.
A1545.3.1 Origin of dog sacrifices. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1545.3.2 Origin of calf sacrifices. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1545.3.3 Origin of cock sacrifice. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 120 No. 78.
A1545.4 Custom of sacrifice begun at harvest and sowing times. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1545.5 Origin of human sacrifice. India: *Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 370.
A1545.5.1 Origin of the custom of wife self-sacrifice (suttee). India: *Thompson-Balys.
A1545.6 Why animal bones only are used in sacrifice. Greek: Grote I 59.
A1546 Origin of worship. (Cf. V0-V99.)—Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: *Neuman.
A1546.0.1 Origin of symbols of worship. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1546.0.2 Origin of prayers. Jewish: *Neuman; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 19ff., 69; Easter Is.: Métraux Ethnology 313.
A1546.0.3 Origin of calf-statues in temples. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 136.
A1546.1 Origin of worship of rivers. India: *Thompson-Balys.
A1546.2 Origin of worship of particular god(s). India: Thompson-Balys.
A1546.3 Origin of Christian worship.
A1546.3.1 First convert to Christianity in Ireland. Irish myth: Cross.
A1546.3.2 First monk, first pilgrim. Irish myth: Cross.
A1546.4 Origin of Jewish worship. Jewish: Neuman.
A1546.5 Origin of worship from holy books. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1546.6 Origin of fire worship. Jewish: Neuman.
A1546.7 Origin of animal worship.
A1546.7.1 Origin of crocodile worship. Africa (Fang): Einstein 50.
A1547 Origin of funeral customs. Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys.
A1547.1 Origin of funeral sacrifices. (Cf. A1545.)—India: Thompson-Balys.
A1547.2 Origin of lute-playing at funerals. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1547.3 Origin of lamentations for the dead. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1548 Origin of tithing. Jewish: Neuman.
A1549 Origin of religious ceremonials—miscellaneous.
A1549.1 Origin of commemorative religious meal (to memorialize death or actions of ancestor or holy person). India: Thompson-Balys.
A1549.2 Origin of sundry religious ceremonials—Jewish: Neuman.
A1549.3 Origin of religious games. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 40.
A1549.4 Origin of penance for sin. Jewish: Neuman.
A1550 Origin of customs of courtship and marriage. India: *Thompson-Balys.
A1551 Why women do not woo. Esthonian: FFC XXV 142 No. 18; Jewish: Neuman; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 54.
A1552 Marriage between close relatives.
A1552.1 Why brothers and sisters do not marry. India: *Thompson-Balys.
A1552.2 Origin of royal marriages with close relatives. Tonga: Gifford 187.
A1552.3 Brother-sister marriage of children of first parents. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 68.
A1553 Origin of exogamy and endogamy.
A1553.1 Origin of exogamy. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1554 Origin of love-songs. China: Eberhard FFC CXX 118.
A1555 Origin of marriage. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 7 No. 26, XXXIII 52 No. 26; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 84 No. 26; Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham.
A1555.1 Origin of wedding ceremony. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys.
A1555.1.1 Origin of custom of throwing fruits on bridal couple. Jewish: Neuman.
A1555.2 Origin of custom of purchasing wives. Irish Myth: Cross.
A1555.3 Why umbrellas are used to welcome bride to new home. Chinese: Graham.
A1556 Origin of sexual restrictions. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1556.1 Beginning of law against rape. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1556.2 Origin of celibacy. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 109.
A1556.3 Origin of adultery. It occurs in the primeval human family. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 69.
A1556.3.1 Origin of decrying female sinners. Irish myth: Cross.
A1556.4 Origin of jus primae noctis. Jewish: Neuman.
A1557 Why woman is master of her husband. (Cf. A1372.9.) Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 98.
A1558 Origin of divorce. Africa (Akan-Ashanti): Rattray 242 No. 62.
A1559 Origin of customs of courtship and marriage—miscellaneous.
A1559.1 Origin of the village dormitory. India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham.
A1560 Origin of customs connected with birth. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1562 Origin of medical treatment during pregnancy.
A1562.1 Origin of charms for pregnant women. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 181.
A1565 Origin of diet during confinement. Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 54.
A1566 Parents learn how to wean their children. S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 120.
A1567 Origin of circumcision. Jewish: Neuman.
A1567.1 Why dust is strewn on wound at circumcision. Jewish: Neuman.
A1570 Origin of regulations within the family.
A1571 Origin of code of conduct between husband and wife.
A1571.1 Why husband and wife shall not exchange hats. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 117.
A1575 Origin of relation of mother and children.
A1575.1 Why a mother has prior claim on her children. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 101.
A1576 Origin of code of conduct for parents toward children of polygamous marriage. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1577 Origin of personal names. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; Liberian: Bundy JAFL XXXII 422.
A1577.1 Adam named from first letters of four stars. Irish myth: Cross.
A1578 Origin of family insignia.
A1578.1 Origin of family crests. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII *235-238.
A1579 Origin of regulation within the family—miscellaneous.
A1579.1 Why children are not left alone in the house to sleep. Marquesas: Handy 51.
A1580 Origin of laws. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys.
A1580.1 Origin of justice. Irish myth: Cross.
A1580.1.1 First judgment in Ireland. Irish myth: Cross.
A1580.2 Laws given directly by deity. Jewish: Neuman.
A1581 Origin of special penalties.
A1581.1 Origin of penalty for murder. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 401.
A1581.2 Origin of penalty for theft. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1582 Origin of government. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1583 Origin of kingdom. Irish myth: Cross.
A1585 Origin of laws: division of property in a family. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1586 First surety. Irish myth: Cross.
A1587 Origin of tabus. Mono-Alu: Wheeler 67; Papua: Kerr 90. C. Tabu.
A1587.1 Tabus instituted by God or creator. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1587.2 Tabus instituted by culture hero. S. A. Indian (Tupinamba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 132.
A1589 Origin of laws—miscellaneous.
A1589.1 Why women are disqualified as witness in court. Jewish: Neuman.
A1590 Origin of other customs.
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.
A1591.1 Burial learned from watching raven bury its dead. Dh I 249.
A1592 Origin of cremation. Icel.: Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys; Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 239ff.
A1593 Why men no longer know time of death. Custom changed when men began to repair fences with stalks when they knew they were to die the next day.—Irish myth: Cross; *Babler Sudetendeutsche Zs. f. Vksk. VII (1934) 171ff.; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3062, Legends Nos. 115-120.—Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 142 No. 19; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 84 No. 37.
A1594 Origin of physicians. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1594.1 Establishment of doctor's fees. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 279.
A1595 Origin of tattooing. Easter Island: Métraux Ethnology 316f., 367.
A1596 Origin of army. Irish myth: Cross.
A1596.1 Origin of custom of paying soldiers. Irish myth: Cross.
A1597 Origin of custom of wearing a beard. Irish myth: Cross.
A1597.1 First men without beards: Cain, Abel. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman.
A1597.2 Origin of custom of shaving. Irish myth: Cross.
A1598 Origin of customs of hospitality. Jewish: Neuman.
A1599 Origin of additional customs.
A1599.1 Origin of warning beacon. Irish myth: Cross.
A1599.2 Origin of erection of monuments to mark boundaries. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman.
A1599.3 Why women wear veils in India. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1599.4 Why the face must be wiped dry after washing. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3070; Legends No. 122.
A1599.5 Why in addressing anyone the second plural should be used. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3072.
A1599.6 Why earthworms are killed whenever earth is dug. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1599.7 Why dagger must be always cleaned on the inside of the robe. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1599.8 Inequalities of fortune among men, otherwise the work of the world will not go on. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1599.9 Origin of custom of committing suicide by strangling. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1599.10 Origin of witchcraft. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1599.11 Origin of quarrels. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1599.11.1 Origin of war. Africa (Togo): Einstein 8.
A1599.12 Origin of covenanted friendships. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1599.13 Why certain caste is kind to animals. India: *Thompson-Balys.
A1599.14 Why a lamp must be lighted in a house at least every fortnight. —India: Thompson-Balys.
A1599.15 Origin of begging. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1599.16 Origin of allusive expression for the story of gods' incest and trickery. Marquesas: Handy 123.
A1600 Distribution and differentiation of peoples—general. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys.
A1601 Number of nations of the world (70, 72, 140). Jewish: Neuman.
A1610 Origin of various tribes. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 328; Persian: Carnoy 298.—Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 52 No. 12**; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 85 No. 39; Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 34 No. 7, 35 No. 9; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 85 No. 43a; India: Thompson Balys.
A1610.1 Unworthy origin ascribed to hostile tribes. *Dh II 184; Jewish: Neuman; S. Am. Indian (Paressi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 359.
A1610.1.1 Foreigners heads exchanged with those of devils in fight. Lithuanian: Balys Legends Nos. 94ff.
A1610.2 Couples placed to establish tribes. Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 54, 92, 94, 98.
A1610.3 Origin of races from mixed offspring of animal marriage. Eskimo (Cape York): Rasmussen III 85, 125, 200, (East Greenland): Rasmussen I 363, Holm 57.
A1610.4 Tribes from fruits of various trees. S. Am. Indian (Brazil): Oberg 108.
A1610.5 Different tribes result from choice of things Sun offers people. S. Am. Indian (Bacairi): Lévi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 348.
A1610.6 Tribes from clay models made by creator. S. Am. Indian (Inca): Rowe BBAE CXLIII (2) 315.
A1611 Origin of particular tribes. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1611.1 Origin of American Indian tribes.
A1611.1.1 Origin of the Ojibwa. Ojibwa: Jones JAFL XXIX 388, *Skinner JAFL XXXII 290.
A1611.1.2 Origin of Eskimo. Eskimo (East Greenland): Holm 57.
A1611.2 Origin of Gypsies. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 5 No. 12; Irish: Beal XXI 304, 325f.
A1611.3 Origin of various African tribes. Jewish: Neuman.
A1611.3.1 Origin of Bushmen. Hottentot: Bleek 83 No. 40.
A1611.4 Origin of various tribes of India. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1611.5 Origin of various European peoples.
A1611.5.1 Origin of Greeks. Jewish: Neuman.
A1611.5.2 Origin of Italians. Jewish: Neuman.
A1611.5.3 Origin of Germans. Jewish: Neuman.
A1611.5.4 Origin of Celts. Irish myth: Cross (A1611.8).
A1611.5.4.1 Origin of women in Ireland. Irish myth: Cross.
A1611.5.4.2 Origin of the Maic Milid (Milesians, Gaels). Irish myth: Cross.
A1611.5.4.3 Origin of the Tuatha Dé Danann regarded as an early tribe. Irish myth: Cross.
A1611.6 Origin of various Near Eastern peoples. Jewish: Neuman.
A1614 Origin of white and colored races. Africa (Fjort): Dennett 101 No. 27, (Ekoi): Talbot 387, (Loango): Pechuël-Loesche 268, (Fang): Trilles 143, 152, 155, Einstein 178, (Cameroon): Rosenhuber 20 No. 3; American Negro (Georgia): Harris Remus 163 No. 33.
A1614.1 Negroes as curse on Ham for laughing at Noah's nakedness. Dh I 290; *BP III 311; Jewish: Neuman.
A1614.1.1 Origin of luchrupain (leprechauns, dwarfs, pygmies) from curses of Ham. Irish myth: Cross.
A1614.1.2 Origin of "goat-heads" from curse of Ham. Irish myth: Cross.
A1614.2 Races dark-skinned from bathing after white men. All peoples bathe in the river, the white man first, then in turn, the Spaniard, the Indian, and the negro—each becoming darker because of the condition of the water.—N. A. Indian (Biloxi): Swanton BBAE XLVII 32; Carib: Alexander Lat. Am. 271; American Negro: Harris Remus 163; Africa (Loango): Pechuël-Loesche 268, (Cameroon): Rosenhuber 57. Cf. Dh. I 247 (Danish).
A1614.3 Light and dark-skinned peoples made from light and dark coconuts. New Britain: Dixon 108.
A1614.4 Origin of tribes from choices made.
A1614.4.1 Origin of tribes from kinds of meat they choose. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1614.4.1.1 Origin of race colors from eating of ox. Those who eat livers are black; those who eat lungs and blood are red.—Herero: Werner African 150.
A1614.4.2 Origin of different peoples according to choice of chairs. India: Thompson-Balys.
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.
A1614.5 Negroes made from left-over scraps at creation. North Carolina: Brown Collection I 632.
A1614.6 Origin of light and dark skin color. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1614.7 Indians and whites from different legs of first man. S. Am. Indian (Brazil): Oberg 108.
A1614.8 Black tribe because woman is put on fire. S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 175.
A1614.9 Origin of white man. Eskimo (Ungava): Turner RBAE XI 261, (Smith Sound): Kroeber JAFL XII 168.
A1616 Origin of particular languages. Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 142 No. 25; Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 9 Nos. 45—47; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 85 Nos. 38, 40; Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 35 No. 11; Icel.: Snorra Edda Prologue V; Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 123; Jewish: Neuman.
A1616.1 Cold before theft of fire impedes speech: explanation of difficulty of certain languages. Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 63.
A1616.2 Origin of Irish language. Irish myth: Cross.
A1617 Origin of place-name. India: Thompson-Balys. (No attempt is given here to collect references to place-name origins. Stories of this kind are world wide.)
A1618 Origin of inequalities among men. India: Thompson-Balys.
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.
A1621 Reasons for difference in population sizes in different areas. New Guinea: Ker. 138.
A1630 Wandering of tribes. Icel.: Snorra Edda Prologue IV-V, Hermann Saxo II 85ff.; Hebrew: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; Jewish: Neuman; Armenian: Ananikian 65.—N. A. Indian (Thompson, Gros Ventre, Sarcee, Blackfoot, Cheyenne): *Teit MAFLS XI 48ff., (Creek): Alexander N. Am. 63, (Sia): ibid. 203f.; S. Am. Indian (Yuracare): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 503, (Mundurucú): Horton ibid. (3) 281, (Brazil): Oberg. 108.
A1631 Emergence of tribe from lower world. Creek: Alexander N. Am. 62; Choctaw: ibid. 63; Mandan, Kiowa: ibid. 105; Arikara: ibid. 107; Navaho: ibid. 159; Pima: ibid. 177; Sia: ibid. 203; Hopi: ibid. 205; Warrau (Carib): Alexander Lat. Am. 273; Amazon tribes: ibid. 309.
A1631.1 Emergence of tribe from lower world stopped by fat woman or pregnant woman who becomes lodged in the hole of egress.—Warrau (Carib tribe): Alexander Lat. Am. 272 (references to Kiowa, Mandan, and Pueblo).
A1631.2 Tribe climbs down from sky to earth. S. Am. Indian (Tropical Forest): Lowie BBAE CLXIII (3) 55.
A1640 Origin of tribal subdivisions. India: Thompson-Balys; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 502.—Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 207; S. Am. Indian (Tropical Forest): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (3) 53.
A1641 Characteristics of tribal subdivisions. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 216; Laguna and Zuсi: Parsons JAFL XXXI 263.
A1650 Origin of different classes—social and professional. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 153.
A1650.1 The various children of Eve. Eve has so many children that she is ashamed when God pays her a visit. She hides some of them and they fail to receive the blessing that God gives those in sight. Thus arises the differences in classes and peoples.—*BP III 308ff. (Gr. No. 180); *Dh I 247, II 98f.—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 85 No. 41; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 87 No. 758.
A1650.2 Custom of differentiating social classes by color of dress introduced. Irish myth: Cross.
A1650.3 Origin of different trades. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges.
A1650.3.1 Why some men are good basket-makers. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1650.3.2 How God distributed professions: according to the bodily appearance of men. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3056, Balys Legends No. 107.
A1651.0.1 Attitude to untouchables. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1651.1 Origin of castes from instructions received in dream. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1651.2 Caste determined by what kind of tree one catches while crossing a river. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1653 Origin of royalty.
A1653.1 Origin of kings (from god(s)). Icel.: Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 241 (Rigsthula), Snorra Edda Prologue.
A1653.2 Origin of a king's family from a fairy prince. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1654 Origin of priesthood (shamanism, etc.)
A1654.1 Origin of priests. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1654.2 Origin of diviners. India: Thompson-Balys.
A1655 Origin of peasantry. Icel.: Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 237 (Rigsthula); African (Senegambia): Bérenger-Feraud II 185ff. No. 2.
A1655.1 Why peasant is always busy: he is eager to produce food for all living beings. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 108.
A1656 Origin of noblemen. Icel.: Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 239 (Rigsthula).
A1656.1 Origin of Polish noblemen: from wheat dough that a bitch devours. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3050, Balys Legends Nos 97, 104ff.
A1657 Origin of slaves. Icel.: Corpus Poeticum Boreale I 235 (Rigsthula); Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman.
A1657.1 Origin of subject tribes (aithech-thuatha). Irish myth: Cross.
A1657.2 Origin of the Fir Bolg ("Men of the Sacks"); so-called because as slaves they were forced to carry earth in sacks (builg). Irish myth: Cross.