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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.

7,165 motifs

Page 11 of 29 · 250 per page
Thompson reference ▲ Description
D1264 Magic sphere. *Chauvin V 259 No. 154.
D1266 Magic book. *Chauvin V 135, 262, 295; Type 611; *Fb "Cyprianus" I 166—7, "bog", "Cyprian" IV 88f.; Hartland Science 199.—Irish: Plummer clxxviii, *Cross; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 297 No. 29, 314 No. 102; Norwegian: Christiansen Norske Eventyr 90; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Jewish: *Neuman; Hindu: Penzer I 37 n. 2, 129f.
D1266.1 Magic writings (gramerye, runes). Child I 28, 48, 362, 391f., II 53ff., 506a; *Hdwb d. Abergl. I 1225; Krappe The Sending (Scandinavian Studies XVII [1943] 297—304).—Irish myth: *Cross, Beal XXI 311, O'Suilleabhain 33; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 46f., 295ff., *Boberg; Jewish: Neuman.
D1266.1.1 Magic ogam writing. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1266.2 Magic picture. Hdwb. d. Abergl. I 1282 s.v. "Bild"; Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Bild".—Irish: O'Suilleabhain 33; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Jewish: Neuman; Chinese: Werner 139, Graham, Eberhard FFC CXX 233f.
D1266.3 Magic story. Irish myth: Cross.
D1267 Magic card. *Köhler-Bolte Zs f. Vksk. VI 62 (to Gonzenbach No. 10);—German Grimm No. 82.
D1268 Magic statue (doll). Basset RTP XXVI 22 (and following numbers passim).—Irish: Beal XXI 312; Italian Novella: Rotunda (D1295); Jewish: *Neuman; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 152; Eskimo (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 494.
D1271 Magic fire. *BP I 440; *Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Waberlohe"; Panzer Sigfrid 281 s.v. "Waberlohe"; Fb "ild" II 10a.—Irish: Plummer clxvi, cxxxviii, *Cross; Icelandic: Herrmann Saxo II 601, *Boberg; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "feu"; Jewish: *Neuman; Africa (Fang): Tessman 104.
D1272 Magic circle. *Types 810, 815; *Chauvin VII 104 No. 378; *Penzer II 98f., III 201, VI 167 n. 3; Saintyves RTP XXV 113; MacCartney Classical Weekly XXII 175 f.; *Loomis White Magic 100; Harou RTP XXV 294.—Icelandic: Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 237.
D1272.1 Magic line. Irish: Plummer clxxv, *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys; Koryak: Jochelson JE VI 364; Eskimo (Mackenzie Area): Jenness 79, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 177f., (West Hudson Bay): ibid. 308f.
D1273 Magic formula (charm). *Types 676, 677; DeCock Studien 156; Encyc. Religion and Ethics III 392; *Chauvin V 10 No. 7, 60 No. 19 n. 1; *Grendon JAFL XXII 105ff.; *Ohrt Danmarks Trylleformler, ibid. Trylleord Fremmede og Danske; *Hestesko FFC XIX; *Kittredge Witchcraft 31f., 386ff. nn. 71, 72, 90, 104; *Fb "Læsning" II 502f.; Penzer I 138ff.—Irish: Plummer cl, clxxix, *Cross; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "charme", "blessure"; English: Child I 28, 48, 55, 391f., II 441, 445, 450; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 16; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 84 No. 746; Finnish: Kalevala runes 16, 26; Estonian: Loorits Grundzüge I 288f; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 300 No. 10; Jewish: *Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys.—Cape Verde Islands: Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 9, 61; Africa (Zulu): Callaway 101, 143, (Kaffir): Theal 41 No. 2, 45 No. 2, 30 No. 1, 125, (Ekoi): Talbot 401, (Yoruba): Ellis 253 No. 4, 271, (Basuto): Jacottet 100 No. 15, (Angola): Chatelain 183ff. No. 22.—Eskimo: Rink 107 No. 3.
D1273.0.1 Charm written in blood has magic power. (Cf. D1003.) Fb "blod" IV 47b.
D1273.0.2 Magic spells mixed with Christian prayers. *Kittredge Witchcraft 146, 465 n. 64; *Fb "Fader Vor" I 260.—Irish myth: *Cross.
D1273.0.3 Charm sung over flesh chewed by wizard has magic power. Irish myth: Cross.
D1273.0.4 Charm chanted standing on one foot with one eye shut, etc. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1273.0.5 Charm containing name of God. Jewish: Neuman.
D1273.1 Magic numbers. (Cf. Z71.) Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman.
D1273.1.1 Three as magic number. *Hdwb. d. Abergl. s.v. "Drei"; Irish myth: *Cross; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 8f.; Jewish: Neuman.
D1273.1.1.1 Three on a match (lighting cigarettes or cigars). England, U.S.: *Baughman.
D1273.1.1.2 Breakage of glass or crockery occurs in threes. One breakage is followed by two more. England, U.S.: *Baughman.
D1273.1.1.3 Deaths in a community come in threes. One death is shortly followed by two more. England, U.S.: *Baughman.
D1273.1.1.4 Three meditations on death which prevent laughter. Irish myth: Cross.
D1273.1.2 Four as magic number. Irish myth: *Cross; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 9.
D1273.1.2.1 Five as magic number. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1273.1.3 Seven as magic number. *Fb "syv"; Irish myth: *Cross; England: Baughman; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 9; Jewish: Neuman; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 338.
D1273.1.3.1 Nine as magic number. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1273.1.4 Ten as magic number. Jewish: Neuman.
D1273.1.5 Twelve as magic number. Fb "tolv"; Gaster Thespis 369; Jewish: Neuman.
D1273.1.6 Thirteen as magic number. Jewish: Neuman; England, U.S.: *Baughman.
D1273.1.7 Magic numbers—miscellaneous.
D1273.1.7.1 101 as magic number. French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 9.
D1273.1.7.2 9999 as magic number. Persian: Carnoy 327.
D1273.2 Magic secret. Finnish: Kalevala rune 20.
D1273.3 Bible texts as magic spells. *Kittredge Witchcraft 146, 465 nn. 66, 67, 70; Jewish: *Neuman.
D1273.4 Magic measurement (height of Christ). Irish myth: Cross.
D1273.5 Magic oath. India: Thompson-Balys.
D1273.6 Magic alphabet. Jewish: Neuman.
D1274 Magic fetish. *Seligmann 39.—English: Child I 28, 48, 55, 57, 391; Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 56, 148, 433, Rasmussen III 100, Holm 56; Africa (Fjort): Dennett 96, (Bushmen, South of Zambesi): Theal 56; S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 38.
D1274.1 Magic conjuring bag. Filled with nail parings, human hair, feet of toads, and the like. *Kittredge Witchcraft 48ff., 401f. nn. 197—208.—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 403.
D1275 Magic song. Fb "synge" III 706b, "Kanariefugle" II 85; Hdwb. d. Abergl. IX Nachträge 424ff.; Köhler-Bolte I 125.—Irish: Plummer clxxix, *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Finnish: Kalevala runes 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 24, 40; Greek: Grote I 242; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 125; Africa (Kaffir): Theal 85, 125, (Angola): Chatelain 110ff. No. 7.
D1275.1 Magic music. *Krappe Classical Journal XXI 21ff.; *Fb "spille" III 488ab; Gaster Oldest Stories 131.—Irish: *Cross; Plummer clxxii, O'Suilleabhain 54, Beal XXI 320; English: Child V 489 s.v. "music"; Greek: Fox 193 (Hermes and Argos), Frazer Apollodorus I 17 (Orpheus).
D1275.2 Magic melody. (Cf. D1275.1.) *BP II 502.
D1275.3 Magic hymn. (Cf. D1275.) Irish myth: *Cross.
D1275.4 Magic poem (satire).
D1276 Magic straw. *Fb "hest" I 598b; Irish: O'Suilleabhain 98, Beal XXI 331.
D1277 Magic bachall. (Cf. D1254.) Irish: Plummer cl, clxxv, *Cross, O'Suilleabhain 85, Beal XXI 328.
D1277.1 Magic crozier. Irish: Plummer cl, *Cross.
D1278 Ghoulish charm. Charm made from parts of corpse or things associated with corpse. *Kittredge Witchcraft 141ff., 458ff. nn. 1—55; Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 148, 173, 347, Rasmussen II 233, III 105, Holm 15, (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 495.
D1278.1 Magic churchyard mould. *Fb "kirkegaardsmuld", "grav"; Hdwb. d. Abergl. III 95; Irish myth: *Cross.
D1278.2 Sorcerers use marrow of corpses' bones. Irish myth: Cross.
D1281 Magic dead fish. Hindu: *Penzer I 46ff.
D1281.1 Magic dead pig.
D1282 Magic coil. Chinese: Werner 358.
D1282.1 Magic knot. *Fb "vindknude"; Penzer II 189 n. 1; Jewish: Neuman.
D1282.1.1 Druid's knot: magic defense. Irish myth: Cross.
D1282.1.2 Magic phylactery. Jewish: Neuman.
D1282.2 Magic wisp. Irish myth: Cross.
D1283 Magic packet. Chinese: Werner 230.
D1284 Magic dice. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 379; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 151.
D1285 Magic spike. Chinese: Werner 123.
D1285.1 Spike produced by magic. Irish myth: Cross.
D1286 Magic horseshoe. *Fb "hestesko" I 603b, IV 213b; Frazer Golden Bough XII 309 s.v. "horseshoes"; **Means-Lawrence Magic of the Horseshoe.
D1287 Magic fly-whisk. Chinese: Werner 322.
D1288 Magic coin. *Type 745; *Fb "vekseldaler"; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 107, 152, 222; Japanese: Ikeda; N. A. Indian (Skaulitz): Hill-Tout JAI XXXIV 374.
D1291 Heavenly body as magic object.
D1291.1 Sun as magic object. Cox Cinderella 483.
D1291.1.1 Magic sun-ray. Jewish: Neuman.
D1291.2 Star as magic object. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman.
D1291.2.1 Sign in stars as portent. Irish myth: Cross.
D1291.2.2 Magic star later resolves into its elements. Irish myth: Cross.
D1292 Magic bird nest. Cox Cinderella 517.
D1293 Magic color.
D1293.1 Red as magic color. Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 300 No. 6; Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: Neuman; Gaster Oldest Stories 69; India: Thompson-Balys.
D1293.2 Green as magic color. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1293.3 White as magic color. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1293.4 Black as magic color. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1294 Magic footprint. *Seligmann 153; Boberg.
D1295 Magic incense. Jewish: Neuman (D1297).
D1296 Sacred relic as magic object. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1297 Magic dye. Irish myth: Cross.
D1298 Magic firewood. Irish myth: Cross.
D1299 Other magic objects. Irish myth: Cross.
D1299.1 Magic sign (symbol, insignia). Irish myth: Cross.
D1299.2 Magic sepulchre (grave). Irish myth: Cross.
D1299.3 Magic cross. Irish myth: Cross.
D1299.4 Magic cotton-wool.
D1299.5 Magic pair of spectacles. India: Thompson-Balys. D1300D1599.
D1300 Magic object gives supernatural wisdom.
D1300.1 Hat gives magic wisdom. (Cf. D1067.1.) *Type 328.
D1300.2 Cap gives magic wisdom. (Cf. D1067.3.) *Type 328.
D1300.3 Magic well of wisdom. (Cf. D926.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 49, Boberg.
D1300.3.1 Streams of wisdom flow from magic well. (Cf. D915.) Irish myth: Cross.
D1300.4 Stone gives magic wisdom. (Cf. D931.) Jewish: Neuman; Icelandic: Boberg.
D1300.5 Staff gives magic wisdom. (Cf. D1254.) Jewish: Neuman.
D1300.6 Charm gives magic wisdom. (Cf. D1273.) Jewish: Neuman.
D1300.7 Fox-heart gives magic wisdom. (Cf. D1015.1.5.) Jewish: Neuman.
D1301 Magic object teaches animal languages. (Cf. D1268.) India: Thompson-Balys.
D1301.1 Magic turf from church-roof teaches animal languages. (Cf. D934.) *Fb "græstørv".
D1301.2 Drinking blood teaches animal languages. (Cf. D1041.)—**Scott Thumb; Panzer Sigfrid 281 s.v. "Vogelsprache".—Icelandic: Völsungasaga 45, Boberg.
D1301.3 Marvelous ruby teaches bird's speech. (Cf. D1071.)—India: Thompson-Balys.
D1301.4 Bird's head (when eaten) teaches animal languages. India: Thompson-Balys.
D1302 Magic object teaches magic.
D1302.1 Magic axe teaches magic. (Cf. D1206) India: Thompson-Balys.
D1305 Magic object gives power of prophecy.
D1305.1 Drop of water from Paradise gives power of prophecy. (Cf. D1242.1.) Jewish: Neuman.
D1310 Magic object gives supernatural information.
D1310.1 Magic seat gives omniscience. (Cf. D1151.) Icelandic: Boberg.
D1310.2 Drop from magic cauldron gives supernatural information. (Cf. D1171.2.)—Irish myth: *Cross; Welsh: MacCulloch Celtic 110.
D1310.3 Intelligent ship. (Cf. D1123.)—Icelandic: Boberg; English: Child IV 376—80, V 275f.
D1310.4 Magic object tells how another fares.
D1310.4.1 Magic ring tells how another fares. (Cf. D1076.)—*Kittredge Witchcraft 111, 440 n. 55.
D1310.4.2 Magic plant bears fruit to indicate that heroine is ready to marry. (Cf. D965.) India: Thompson-Balys.
D1310.4.3 Barley plant droops if prince is in trouble. (Cf. D965.15.) India: Thompson-Balys.
D1310.5 Magic staff gives supernatural information. (Cf. D1254.)——Irish myth: Cross.
D1310.6 Magic charm gives knowledge. (Cf. D1273.)—Irish myth: Cross.
D1310.7 Singing of wave gives supernatural information. (Cf. D911.1.) —Irish myth: *Cross.
D1310.8 Speaking and walking divan brings supernatural information. India: Thompson-Balys.
D1310.9 Magic water gives knowledge. (Cf. D1242.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys.
D1310.10 Magic fruit gives supernatural knowledge.
D1310.10.1 Magic apple gives supernatural knowledge. (Cf. D981.1.) —Jewish: Neuman.
D1310.10.2 Magic fig gives supernatural knowledge. (Cf. D981.5.) —Jewish: Neuman.
D1310.10.3 Magic grape gives supernatural knowledge. (Cf. D981.8.) —Jewish: Neuman.
D1310.11 Magic nut gives supernatural knowledge. (Cf. D985.)—Jewish: Neuman.
D1311 Magic object used for divination. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1311.1 Harp struck for divination. (Cf. D1231.)—Africa (Mpongwe): Nassau 15 No. 1.
D1311.2 Mirror answers questions. (Cf. D1163, D1323.1.)—*Type 709; *Böklen Sneewittchenstudien 70 (Leipzig, 1915); *MacCulloch Childhood 34ff.; *BP I 463; *Cox Cinderella 483.—Africa (Angola): Chatelain 29.
D1311.3 Oracular fountain. (Cf. D925.)—Irish: Plummer cli, *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg.
D1311.3.1 Spring gives omens. (Cf. D927.)—Type 709; Böklen Sneewittchenstudien (Leipzig, 1915) 73; *Kittredge Witchcraft 34, 394 n. 116.
D1311.3.1.1 Divination by water. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1311.4 Oracular tree. (Cf. D950.)—Irish: Plummer cliii, *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham.
D1311.4.0.1 Oracular twig. (Cf. D953, D1254.2, D1311.15, D1314.2.) —Irish myth: Cross; Norse: MacCulloch Eddic 86; Tacitus Germania Ch. 10.
D1311.4.0.1.1 Sight of magic twigs gives foreknowledge of day's events. Irish myth: Cross.
D1311.4.0.2 Falling of two trees reveals Savior's will as to separation of friends. Irish myth: Cross.
D1311.4.1 Tree appealed to as arbitrator. Penzer V 60.
D1311.4.1.1 Ash (quicken, rowan) used (by druids) for divinations. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1311.4.1.2 Hazel used by druids for divination. (Cf. D950.1.)—Irish myth: *Cross.
D1311.4.2 Speaking trees give prophecy. Jewish: *bin Gorion Born Judas III 140, 307.
D1311.5 Oracular flame. (Cf. D1271.)—Norwegian: Dasent Popular Tales from the Norse (New York, 1888) 261.
D1311.6 Divination by heavenly bodies. (Cf. D1291.)—Jewish: Neuman.
D1311.6.0.1 Divination by looking upon astrolabe. Jewish: Neuman.
D1311.6.1 Moon (stars) answers questions. Africa (Tonga): Junod 266ff., (Swahili): Baker FL XXXVII 299f. No. 16.
D1311.6.2 Magic cloud answers questions. (Cf. D901.) Chinese: Graham.
D1311.6.3 Sun answers questions. (Cf. D1291.1.)—Type 709; *Böklen Sneewittchenstudien (Leipzig, 1915) 72; Cox Cinderella 483.
D1311.6.4 Divination by stars. (Cf. D1291.2.)—Jewish: Neuman; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 828.
D1311.7 Oracular image. (Cf. D1268.)—*Dickson 193 (n. 75) ff.
D1311.7.1 Oracular artificial head. (Cf. D1268.)—*Dickson 200 n. 94, 213 n. 145.
D1311.7.2 Oracular brazen lion. Dickson 197 n. 83.
D1311.8 Divination by head (skull). (Cf. D992, D1610.5, M118.) —*Dickson 201 n. 97; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 46.
D1311.8.1 Dog's head used for divination. (Cf. D1011.) Irish myth: *Cross.
D1311.8.2 Cut-off head prophesies fight. Icelandic: Boberg.
D1311.9 Coconut shell answers questions. Sinks for yes, floats for no. (Cf. D985.1.)—Sulka of New Britain: Dixon 132 and 132 n. 2.
D1311.10 Divination by part of animal's body.
D1311.10.1 Divination by shoulder-bone of sheep. (Cf. D1013.) —*Kittredge Witchcraft 144, 462 n. 44.
D1311.10.2 Divination from gall and liver of pig. (Cf. D1015.2.) Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 19 note 1, 91.
D1311.11 Oracular river. (Cf. D915.)
D1311.11.1 River says, "The time has come but not the man". Man thus induced to drown himself.—*Fb "tid" III 789b; *Lizbarski Am Urds-Brunnen IV 56.—England: Baughman; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 54 No. 460; Netherlands: Sinninghe FFC CXXXII 52 No. 1; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3495; Livonian: Loorits in FFC LXVI 45 No. 44f.; Estonian: Aarne in FFC XXV 136 No. 95.
D1311.12 Oracular bell. (Cf. D1213.)
D1311.12.1 Bell sounds to designate pope. (Cf. D1213.)—Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "cloche".
D1311.13 Plant used for divination. (Cf. D965.)
D1311.13.1 Mandrake as magic forecaster. (Cf. D965.1, D1314.7.1.) —*Starck; *Taylor JAFL XXXI 561f.
D1311.13.2 Weeds used for divination. Africa (Fang): Einstein 51.
D1311.14 Divination from chance reading of sacred (magic) book. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys.
D1311.15 Magic rod used for divination. (Cf. D1311.4.0.1.)—Irish myth: *Cross.
D1311.15.1 Magic yew rod used by druid to discover whereabouts of woman carried off by fairies to underground retreat. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1311.16 Oracular stone. (Cf. D931.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 89.
D1311.16.0.1 Saint's blessing makes stone oracular. Irish myth: Cross.
D1311.16.1 Number of screams from stone indicates number of kings to descend from man standing upon it. Irish myth: Cross.
D1311.17 Divination by magic weapon. (Cf. D1080.)
D1311.17.1 Magic spear gives omen of victory. (Cf. D1084.)—Irish myth: *Cross.
D1311.17.2 Divination by magic arrow. (Cf. D1092.) Jewish: Neuman.
D1311.17.3 Lance sounds when knocked on shield, except when its owner will be defeated. Icelandic: Boberg.
D1311.18 Oracular ring. (Cf. D1076.) Icelandic: Boberg.
D1311.19 Divination by water. (Cf. D1242.1.) Jewish: Neuman.
D1311.20 Oracular pubic hair. (Cf. D991.2.)—India: Thompson-Balys.
D1311.21 Divination by cup. (Cf. D1171.6.) Jewish: Neuman.
D1311.22 Divination from (sound of) wind. (Cf. D906.) Irish myth: *Cross.
D1311.23 Divination with chessboard. (Cf. D1209.7.) Irish myth: *Cross.
D1312 Magic object gives advice. *Huet 94.—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 297 n. 86b.; Africa (Bankon): Ittman 97.
D1312.1 Bodily members as advisers. (Cf. D990.)—N.A.Indian: *Thompson Tales 318 n. 150.
D1312.1.1 Excrements as advisers. (Cf. D1002.)—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 296 n. 83c.
D1312.2 Magic bone gives advice. (Cf. D1013.)—Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 192 No. 28.
D1312.3 Speaking grass gives advice. (Cf. D965.12.) India: Thompson-Balys.
D1312.4 Magic book gives advice. (Cf. D1266.) Jewish: Neuman.
D1313 Magic object points out road. *BP I 434.—Irish myth: Cross; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 297 n. 86c.
D1313.1 Magic ball indicates road. Rolls ahead. (Cf. D1256.)—Type 425; Tegethoff 43; *Chauvin V 87 No. 27 n. 2, VII 98 No. 375 n. 3; *Kittredge Gawain 170 n. 2.—Irish myth: Cross; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "boule"; India: Thompson-Balys; U.S. (Ozarks): Randolph Who Blowed Up the Church House (New York, 1953) 59.
D1313.1.1 Magic ball of thread indicates road. Rolls ahead. (Cf. D1184.1) —*Köhler-Bolte I 407; BP I 434; Fb "nøgle".
D1313.1.2 Magic rolling cake indicates road. (Cf. D1031.2.) BP III 458f.; Hdwb. d. Märch. I 335a.
D1313.2 Hat thrown in air indicates road. (Cf. D1067.1.)—Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "chapeau".
D1313.3 Copper horseman indicates road. By striking his hand one makes him turn and indicate the proper road for travelers. (Cf. D1268, D1626.)—Chauvin V 33 No. 16.
D1313.4 Blinded trickster directed by trees. He asks them their names and by their answers he can tell where he is. (Cf. D950.)—N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 297 n. 86a.
D1313.5 Magic stick indicates road. (Cf. D1254.)—Fb "kjæp" II 151a.
D1313.5.1 Saint's staff as an excellent pilot at sea. *Loomis White Magic 90.
D1313.5.2 Reed as direction finder. (Cf. D953) India: Thompson-Balys.
D1313.6 Magic apple indicates road. Rolls ahead. (Cf. D981.1.)—Irish myth: *Cross.
D1313.7 Magic flute indicates road. (Cf. D1223.1.)—Africa (Ibo of Nigeria): Thomas 146.
D1313.8 Magic two-edged knife indicates direction. Points in proper direction; bends downward to indicate wrong direction. (Cf. D1083.)—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 127.
D1313.9 Charm (medicine) indicates direction. (Cf. D1241.)—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 34.
D1313.10 Magic feather indicates road. (Cf. D1021.)—*BP II 37.
D1313.11 Magic fountain indicates road for saint by removing itself. (Cf. D925.)—Irish: Plummer cli, *Cross.
D1313.12 Magic cake indicates road. Rolls ahead. (Cf. D1031.2.) —*Hdwb. d. Märchens s.v. "Ariadnefaden" n. 12.
D1313.13 Magic shoe points out road. (Cf. D1065.2.)—Scottish: Campbell-McKay No. 22.
D1313.14 Magic thornbush points out road. (Cf. D958.)—India: Thompson-Balys.
D1313.15 Magic wheel indicates road. (Cf. D1207.)—Irish myth: *Cross.
D1313.16 Magic pillar of fire indicates direction. (Cf. D1271.)—Jewish: Neuman.
D1314 Magic object indicates desired place. Irish myth: Cross; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 70f. Nos 598—604; Jewish: Neuman; Chinese: Werner 197.
D1314.0.1 Magic object shows place where person has been killed. India: Thompson-Balys.
D1314.1 Magic arrow indicates desired place. (Cf. D1092.)
D1314.1.1 Magic arrow shot to determine place to lodge for night. Köhler-Bolte I 554.
D1314.1.2 Magic arrow shot to determine where to build city. (Cf. D1314.4.) *Köhler-Bolte I 554.
D1314.1.3 Magic arrow shot to determine where to seek bride. Köhler-Bolte I 419, 554.—English: Child II 499; India: Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Dixon 75f. n. 65.
D1314.1.4 Magic arrow indicates place to build church. Fb "kirke" II 125a.
D1314.1.5 Arrow shot to determine burial place. English: Child I 185. III 106.
D1314.1.6 Arrow shot into air discovers iron pit.—India: Thompson-Balys.
D1314.1.7 Arrow shot to discover direction of attacking army. Jewish: Neuman.
D1314.2 Magic wand (twig) locates hidden treasure. (Cf. D954, D1254, D1254.2.)—*Barrett and Besterman The Divining Rod (London 1926); Encyc. Religion and Ethics II 832a; Fb "finkelrut", "skat", "pilegren"; *Norlind Skattsägner 28.—Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 86; Eng., U.S.; *Baughman; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 77 No. 650.
D1314.2.1 Divining rod sinks at place where tribe shall settle. S. A. Indian (Inca): Alexander Lat. Am. 249.
D1314.2.2 Divining rod (twig) locates underground water supply. Ireland, England, U. S.: *Baughman.
D1314.2.3 Divining rod points to house of thief. England: Baughman.
D1314.2.4 Divining rod (twig) points out spot where unwed mother had drowned child. U.S.: Baughman.
D1314.2.5 Saint's staff becomes tree to indicate building site. England: Baughman.
D1314.2.6 Golden staff stuck into ground finds site for city. S. A. Indian (Inca): Rowe BBAE CXLIII (2) 317.
D1314.3 Saint's bachall discovers gold. (Cf. D1277.)—Irish: Plummer clxxv, Cross.
D1314.4 Bell indicates place for settlement. Remains dumb until place destined for saint's final settlement is reached. (Cf. D1213, D1314.1.2, D1314.2.1.) —Irish: Plummer clxxvii, *Cross.
D1314.4.0.1 Saint's bell lands at place where monastery is to be founded. Irish myth: *Cross.
D1314.4.1 Bell rings to indicate location of well. Irish myth: Cross.
D1314.5 Hand-of-glory indicates location of treasure. (Cf. D1162.2.1.) —*Kittredge Witchcraft 144, 463 n. 50.
D1314.6 Loaf of bread locates drowned man. Floated on water comes to rest directly over corpse. (Cf. D1031.1.)—*Kittredge Witchcraft 48, 400 n. 194; England: *Baughman.
D1314.7 Magic plant (flower) shows location of treasure. (Cf. D965, D975.) —*Norlind Skattsägner 19ff.—Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3646.
D1314.7.1 Mandrake shows location of treasure. (Cf. D965.1, D1311.13.) —*Norlind Skattsägner 23ff.; Penzer III 153.
D1314.8 Jewels aid in search for treasure. (Cf. D1071.)—*Norlind Skattsägner 29.
D1314.9 Magic cloth leads owner to lost horses. (Cf. D1051.) Irish myth: Cross.
D1314.10 Fiery pillar guides person (to church). (Cf. D1271.) Irish myth: *Cross.
D1314.11 Seat-pillars thrown in the sea (with god's image) indicate where to settle. Icelandic: *Boberg.
D1314.12 Coffin lands where the dead is to be buried, and his son to settle. Icelandic: *Boberg.
D1314.12.1 Rope breaks at proper burial place. (Cf. D1203.) Chinese: Graham.
D1314.13 Star indicates location of newborn hero. Irish myth: Cross.
D1314.13.1 Star of Bethlehem. Irish myth: Cross.
D1314.14 Four balls given to each of four impoverished men point out places where they should dig. (Cf. 1256.) India: Thompson-Balys.
D1314.15 Dried root sprouts when planted to indicate spot where holy man should set up his abode. (Cf. D967.) India: Thompson-Balys.
D1315 Magic object locates lost person.
D1315.1 Magic arrow locates lost person. (Cf. D1314.1.ff.) S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 147.
D1316 Magic object reveals truth. (Cf. D1318.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Boberg.
D1316.1 Stone reveals truth. (Cf. D931.) Icelandic: *Boberg; Africa (Angola): Chatelain 29ff., 43ff.
D1316.2 Magic lamp indicates falsehood by lighting. (Cf. D1162.1.) India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Angola): Chatelain 43ff. (Version B.)
D1316.3 Speaking spittle reveals truth. (Cf. D1001.) Africa (Zulu): Callaway 64.
D1316.4 Magic ring permits owner to learn person's secret thoughts. (Cf. D1076.)—Chauvin VI 108 No. 272.
D1316.4.1 Magic ring shows the true nature of its possessor. (Cf. D1076.) Icelandic: *Boberg.
D1316.4.2 Magic spectacles allow wearer to read others' thoughts. (Cf. D1299.5.) India: Thompson-Balys.
D1316.5 Magic speaking reed (tree) betrays secret. King has whispered secret to hole in the ground. Reed growing from this hole tells the secret. —*Köhler-Bolte I 383 n. 1, 511, 587; Sébillot RTP I 327, VII 356; *Zs. d. deutschen morgenland. Gesel. XL 549; Crooke FL XXII 183; *BP IV 147 n. 7 (Celtic): *Basset 1001 Contes II 258; Irish myth: *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys.