Folklore Database · Browse
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 |
|---|---|
| Q81 | Reward for perseverance. Penzer II 97. |
| Q81.1 | Nobleman's perseverance wins him coveted place on reserved bench. Elected upon the death of one of its occupants. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q82 | Reward for fearlessness. Reward given by devil or ghost. *Type 326; Penzer VII 120 n. 2; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| Q82.1 | Snake helps girl who permits it to wind itself around her body. Africa (Rozwi): Posselt Fables of the Veld (London, 1929) 39ff., (Thonga): Junod 248ff., Berthoud ZsES XXI 154f. No. 10. |
| Q82.2 | Ferocious animal (lion, tiger, etc.) rewards man who does not fear it. Africa (Congo): Christaller Handbuch der Duala-Sprache (Basel, 1892) 68ff. |
| Q83 | Reward for marital fidelity. (Cf. Q87.) Jewish: Moreno Esdras, Neuman. |
| Q83.1 | Reward for wife's fidelity. India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 845. |
| Q84 | Reward for stoic endurance of pain. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q85 | Reward for asking proper questions. Irish myth: *Cross; Welsh: MacCulloch Celtic 203. |
| Q86 | Reward for industry. Hdwb. d. Märchens II 66a; India: *Thompson-Balys; West Indies: Flowers 567. |
| Q86.1 | Reward to ant for industry. Ant has food all winter because she keeps it safe and dry by airing it in the sun. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q87 | Reward for preservation of chastity. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman, Moreno Esdras. |
| Q87.1 | Ruler marries maiden who has repulsed his advances. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q87.1.1 | Spurned ruler has the maiden marry highest ranking knight. Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| Q87.1.2 | Married woman spurns king's offer of marriage. King honors her husband. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q87.1.3 | Spurned suitor is offered girl by her mother. He rewards her refusal by a gift of money. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q87.2 | Courtier rewarded for resisting princess's advances. When her father learns of the affair he rewards the courtier and has him marry his daughter. Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| Q87.3 | Reward for long-suffering nun: made abbess of convent. Heptameron No. 22. |
| Q88 | Reward for proficiency. |
| Q88.1 | Fra Lippo Lippi is freed by Moors because of his greatness as a painter. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q88.2 | Princess kisses ugly poet while he sleeps. Kisses not the ugly face but the divine mouth. Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| Q91 | Reward for cleverness. |
| Q91.1 | Princess given in marriage to clever thief. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q91.2 | King rewards scullion for bon-mot. Makes him a valet. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q91.3 | King rewards poem. (Cf. Q112.0.1.2, Q411.10.1.) Icelandic: *Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q91.4 | Answer rewarded with gold ring; message rewarded with purse with silver. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q93 | Reward for supernatural help. |
| Q93.1 | Reward for bringing rain. Chinese: Graham. |
| Q93.2 | Reward for resuscitating dead. (Cf. E0.) Chinese: Graham. |
| Q94 | Reward for cure. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q95 | Reward for musician. |
| Q95.1 | Reward for flute-playing. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 70. |
| Q100 | Nature of rewards. |
| Q101 | Reward fitting to deed. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q101.1 | Reward like deed: liberal and munificent girl blessed with riches and prosperity. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q110 | Material rewards. |
| Q111 | Riches as reward. *Roberts 190; Irish myth: *Cross; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. Nos. 132, 181; Jewish; Neuman; Chinese: Graham; Africa (Wakweli): Bender 88. |
| Q111.1 | Hero made business partner of rich man. English: Wells 175 (The Childe of Bristowe). |
| Q111.2 | Riches as reward (for hospitality). (Cf. Q45.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q111.3 | Riches as reward for help against robbers. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q111.4 | Gold ring as reward. (Cf. Q91.3, Q91.4.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q111.5 | Giant gives gold, silver and weapon as reward for good advice. (Cf. Q113.1, Q114.) Icelandic: örvar-Odds saga 124—125. |
| Q111.6 | Treasure as reward. Chinese: Graham. |
| Q111.7 | Jewels as reward. Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| Q111.8 | Large quantity of land as reward. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q112 | Half of kingdom as reward. *Types 575, 653; *BP II 131ff., III 45ff.; Christiansen FFC XXIV 99; *Fb "prins og prinsesse" II 876; Icelandic: Egils saga einhenda ok ásmundar Berserkjabana (FAS III) 366 (one-third of kingdom), Boberg; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 19; Spanish: Espinosa III No. 50; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian (Micmac): Rand 427 No. 80; Africa (Yoruba): Ellis 264. |
| Q112.0.1 | Kingdom as reward. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q112.0.1.1 | Kingdom as reward for piety. (Cf. Q20.) Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q112.0.1.2 | Kingdom as reward for poem. (Cf. Q91.3.) Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q112.0.1.3 | Kingdom as reward for finding abducted princess. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q112.0.2 | Half of property as reward. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q112.0.3 | Two thirds of kingdom as reward for finding abducted princesses. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q112.0.4 | One third of kingdom and the king's daughter as reward for getting victory-stone during the night. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q112.0.5 | Kingdom and hand of princess as reward for virtuous life. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q112.0.6 | Dominion over world as reward. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q112.0.7 | Reward: royal line of descendants. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q112.1 | Chieftainship as reward. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 3/1142, 13/174, 420); Africa (Ganda): Baskerville 1ff., (Hausa): Mischlich 164ff. No. 22, (Bondei): Woodward FL XXXVI 367ff. No. 12. |
| Q112.2 | Reward: sovereignty for hour (day). India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q112.3 | Reward: seat next to king. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q113 | Knighthood as reward. English: Wells 94 (The Taill of Rauf Coilyear); and very frequently in medieval romances. |
| Q113.0.1 | High honors as reward. Chinese: Graham. |
| Q113.1 | Appointment to earldom as reward for good advice. (Cf. Q43, Q111.5.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q113.2 | Appointment as page as reward. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q113.3 | High position as reward for piety. (Cf. Q20.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q113.4 | Appointment to priesthood as reward. |
| Q113.4.1 | Institution of priests and Levites as reward for observance of Sabbath. Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q114 | Gifts as reward. (Cf. Q111.5.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q114.0.1 | Gifts made to advisor. (Cf. Q43.). Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q114.1 | Precious knife and belt as gift on unknown helper's spearshaft outside his tent. Icelandic: Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 346. |
| Q114.2 | Gifts as rewards for gifts. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q114.3 | Sword as reward. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q115 | Reward: any boon that may be asked. *Schoepperle II 420ff., 528 —541; Malone PMLA XLIII 413; Irish myth: *Cross; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 946, 1153. |
| Q115.1 | Reward: any boon that may be asked—king's wife demanded. *Schoepperle II 420ff., 528ff.; *Krappe Revue Celtique XLVIII (1931) 94; Cross and Nitze Lancelot and Guenevere (Chicago, 1930) 31ff.; Irish myth: *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q115.2 | King promises daughter she may marry anyone she desires. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q115.3 | Reward: any boon that may be asked—man asks only for son. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q116 | Favorable decree as reward. Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q116.1 | Favorable decree as reward for helping holy person. (Cf. Q38.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q121 | Freedom as reward. |
| Q121.1 | Slaves freed as reward. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q135 | Wine as reward. Twelve jars of honey-sweet wine as reward for protection. (Cf. Q46.1.) Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 280 n. 1. |
| Q140 | Miraculous or magic rewards. |
| Q141 | Reward: man's cows magically multiply. (Cf. Q1.) Type 750B; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. No. 181; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| Q141.1 | Monks' who always shared with the poor receive supplies of flour or bread. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q141.2 | Plentiful game animals (fish) as reward. Africa (Wakweli): Bender 37; S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 27f. |
| Q142 | Magic treasure as reward for humility. (Cf. Q66.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q143 | Superior rebirth as reward. India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 155, 167, 427, 1157, II 604, 671, 775, 904. |
| Q144 | Reward: hearing voice of God. |
| Q144.1 | Hermit as reward for austerities hears voice of God. (Cf. Q34.) Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q145 | Miraculously long life as reward. (Cf. Q151.) Greek: Fox 158 (Sarpedon); Jewish: Gaster Exempla 222 No. 179, *Neuman, Moreno Esdras (Q151.6). |
| Q145.0.1 | Reward: happiness during last year of life. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q145.1 | Miraculously long life as reward for hospitality. (Cf. Q45.1.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q145.1.1 | Health as reward for drink. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q145.2 | Miraculously long life as reward for integrity. (Cf. Q68.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q146 | Reward: end of plague. (Cf. Q552.10.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q147 | Supernatural manifestations at death of pious person. Irish: Cross, Beal XXI 317, O'Suilleabhain 46; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 1 Nos. 1—3; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. No. 186. |
| Q147.1 | Body of saint miraculously rolls over to make room in his grave for pious man. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q147.2 | Pope who has warred on wicked nobles refused burial in church. Magic wind blows doors open to show he has right to be buried there. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q147.3 | Death by kiss from God. Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q149 | Miraculous or magic reward—miscellaneous. |
| Q149.1 | Color (of animal) as reward for pious act. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q150 | Immunity from disaster as reward. |
| Q150.1 | Rescue from deluge as reward. Jewish: Moreno Esdras, *Neuman; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 81f. |
| Q150.1.1 | Lot and family rewarded by being saved from destruction of city. (Cf. Q152.) Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q150.2 | Loss of all evil and corruption as reward. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (Q151.9). |
| Q151 | Life spared as reward. |
| Q151.1 | Charitable man's death postponed. (Cf. Q42, Q145.) Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 337. |
| Q151.2 | Death passes by man who fed his stepmother. (Cf. Q65.1.) Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 129 No. 23. |
| Q151.3 | Hospitable person saved from death. (Cf. Q45.1.) Dh II 134ff. |
| Q151.4 | Faithful old dog threatened with death proves his worth and is spared. BP I 425 n. 1, III 74 n. 2. |
| Q151.5 | Humble man miraculously saved from drowning. (Cf. Q4.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q151.6 | Life spared as reward for hospitality. (Cf. Q45.4.) Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q151.7 | Life spared as reward for uprightness. (Cf. Q54.) PMLA XLVI 1004; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q151.8 | Life spared as reward for bravery and constancy. Centurion tells his enemies to kill him rather than attempt to win him. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q151.9 | Resurrection as reward. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (Q151.5); Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 188 No. 128. |
| Q151.10 | Honest brahman spared by tiger. (Cf. Q68.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q151.11 | Man saved from lions as reward. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q151.12 | Pot of boiling oil thrown at compassionate woman does not harm her. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 362. |
| Q151.13 | Women rewarded with their lives for excellent dancing. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 3/1260). |
| Q152 | City saved from disaster as reward. Jewish: *Neuman; Chinese: Graham; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 63, 70. |
| Q152.1 | Hospitality of a citizen saves a city from destruction. (Cf. Q45.) Alphabet No. 368. |
| Q153 | Nature benign and fruitful during reign of good king. (Cf. Q67.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q153.1 | Cows white-headed during reign of good king. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q154 | Immunity from death by violence as reward. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q154.1 | Descendants of man who endured pain without crying out not to meet violent deaths. (Cf. Q84.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q156 | Victory as reward for piety. (Cf. Q20.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q157 | Escape of hostages miraculously prevented as reward for piety. (Cf. Q20.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q161 | Healing as reward. |
| Q161.1 | Sight restored as reward. (Cf. F952, Q42.6.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q161.2 | Healing of disease as reward. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 188 No. 128. |
| Q161.3 | Hunchback healed as reward for kindness. (Cf. Q40.) Africa (Bulu): Krug 109. |
| Q162 | Invulnerability as reward for pious act. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q170 | Religious rewards. *Krappe Bulletin Hispanique XXXIX 23; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q171 | Immunity from punishment for sin as reward. Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q171.1 | Forgiveness of sin for acts of charity. Alphabet No. 296; Irish: Beal XXI 332, O'Suilleabhain 101. |
| Q171.1.1 | Husband forgiven for having killed jealous wife: builds monastery and becomes monk in it. Heptameron No. 70. |
| Q172 | Reward: admission to heaven. Irish myth: *Cross; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q172.0.1 | Fairy minstrel asks admission to heaven as reward for playing for saint. (Cf. F262.3.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q172.0.2 | Rewards in heaven. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q172.1 | Child taken to heaven: offers food to crucifix. BP III 474ff.; Reinhard PMLA XL 93; Irish: O'Suilleabhain 105, Beal XXI 333; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3727; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 90 No. 767*. |
| Q172.2 | Man admitted to heaven for single act of charity. Herbert III 328 No. 9; Irish: Beal XXI 330; Spanish: Keller, Espinosa Jr. No. 182; Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q172.2.1 | The rich man's trial in heaven. A piece of bread given to a beggar is placed on the scales. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 802A*; Prussian: Plenzat 46. |
| Q172.3 | Man admitted to heaven as reward for penance. (Cf. Q520.) *Type 756B; *BP III 463; **Andrejev FFC LXIX 154; English: Wells 114 (Sir Isumbras); Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q172.4 | Palace being built in heaven for pious king. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q172.4.1 | Rooms in heaven are prepared for good man in heaven. The dead miser asks the living man to give him at least one of them. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 804A*. |
| Q172.5 | Numerous sinners to go to heaven as reward for man's writing hymn. (Cf. Q35.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q172.6 | Heaven as reward for renouncement of long life. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q172.7 | Man admitted to heaven for remitting tribute. (Cf. Q42.7.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q172.8 | Mother of saint admitted to heaven. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q172.8.1 | Saint goes to heaven every Thursday. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q172.9 | Deification as reward. Tahiti: Beckwith Myth 38. |
| Q173 | Saint made judge of doom for men of Ireland (as reward). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q174 | Reward: release from hell. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q174.1 | Release from hell as reward for repentance. (Cf. Q36.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q174.1.1 | Saint's requests for releasing souls from hell. (Cf. Q20.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q174.1.1.1 | Saint requests that on Doomsday he may bring out of hell, for every hair of his chasuble, seven condemned souls. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q174.1.1.2 | God grants to saint the boon that no one buried in any of his churches shall go to hell. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q174.1.1.3 | God grants to saint the boon that two persons are to be rescued from hell by him "to the end of the world." Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q174.1.1.4 | Saint requests that any person appealing to him at death shall escape hell. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q175 | Reward: holy person to be buried and resurrected in one place. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q176 | God gives "peace and favorable weather" in consequence of enactment of good law. (Cf. Q153.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q190 | Rewards—miscellaneous. |
| Q191 | Family line of good man rewarded. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q192 | Child given as reward for prayer. Jewish: Moreno Esdras, *Neuman. |
| Q193 | Crowns and palms as reward. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (Q191). |
| Q195 | Blessings. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q200 | Deeds punished. **Encyc. Rel. Ethics s.v. "Crimes and punishments"; *DeCock Volkssage passim; Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q210 | Crimes punished. Irish myth: Cross; Norwegian: Solheim Register 21. |
| Q210.1 | Criminal intent punished. (Cf. Q211.8, Q261.1, Q451.7.0.2.4.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q211 | Murder punished. (Cf. Q411.6, Q413.4, Q414.0.12, Q416.0.2, Q417.1, Q421.0.4, Q424.0.1, Q431.1, Q431.9, Q450.1.1, Q451.1.4, Q451.2.3, Q451.4.5, Q451.7.4, Q469.6, Q469.12, Q491.6, Q497, Q511, Q511.1, Q512.0.1, Q520.1, Q545, Q551.3.3, Q551.8.3, Q552.3.0.2, Q556.2, Q556.10, Q558.9, Q582.3.) Irish: Beal XXI 336, O'Suilleabhain 124; Icelandic: MacCulloch Eddic 319f.; Spanish: Keller, Espinosa Jr. Nos. 202, 205—09; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 267; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 38 No. 25; Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 3/818, 1353, 13/127); Eskimo (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 168, (Greenland): Rasmussen III 76, 111, 294; S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 156, 163. |
| Q211.0.1 | God revenges murder after thirty years. *Wesselski Märchen 200; *BP II 535 n. 1. |
| Q211.0.2 | Enormity of kin murder. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q211.0.3 | Emperor punished for his many murders. He is carried to hell. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q211.1 | Parricide punished. (Cf. Q552.2.3.3, Q552.3.1.1, Q553.3.3.) *Types 756B, 761*; *Andrejev FFC LXIX 239; Irish myth: *Cross; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 19 No. 185. |
| Q211.2 | Matricide punished. Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 383 n. 3, Aeschylus Eumenides. |
| Q211.3 | Uxoricide punished. (Cf. Q414.0.1, Q416.0.2.1, Q596.1.) Italian Novella: *Rotunda; Koryak, American Indian: *Jochelson JE VI 378; Africa (Bankon): Ittman 98. |
| Q211.4 | Murder of children punished. (Cf. Q418.2, Q455.1, Q553.5.) *Types 781, 832; Irish: O'Suilleabhain 31, Beal XXI 310; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. Nos. 148f.; Greek: Grote I 160; Jewish: *Neuman; Tuamotu: Stimson MS (T-G. 3/15). |
| Q211.4.1 | Queen expelled for poisoning stepson. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q211.4.2 | Woman murders son's wives. (Cf. Q426.1.) Africa (Wakweli): Bender 86. |
| Q211.5 | Suicide punished. (Cf. Q503.1.) |
| Q211.6 | Killing an animal revenged. (Cf. Q231, Q424.1, Q582.4.) |
| Q211.6.1 | Punishment for flaying live calf. Fb "kalv" II 79a. |
| Q211.6.2 | Punishment for killing sacred whale. Polynesia: *Beckwith Myth 504f. |
| Q211.7 | Punishment for splitting head and eating man's brains. Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 369 n. 4 (Tydeus). |
| Q211.8 | Punishment for desire to murder. (Cf. Q210.1, Q469.4, Q552.19.2.) Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman; Eskimo (Smith Sound): Kroeber JAFL XII 177, (Greenland): Rink 157, 222, 469, Holm 47, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 62. |
| Q211.8.1 | Wounded king exacts fine from those intending to slay him. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q211.9 | Fratricide punished. (Cf. Q411, Q414.0.13.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Boberg; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q211.9.1 | God punishes murder of brother-in-law by having murderer's male heirs die. (Cf. Q558.) Heptameron No. 40. |
| Q211.9.2 | Punishment for killing foster brother. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q211.10 | Punishment for murder of co-wife. Africa (Bankon): Ittman 100. |
| Q211.11 | Punishment for wholesale massacre of tribe. India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 877. |
| Q211.12 | Murder of parents punished by member of family. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (T-G. 3/818); Easter Island: Métraux Ethnology 385; Tonga: Gifford 53; Maori: Beckwith Myth 474. |
| Q211.13 | Slave killed who killed enemy at owner's order. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q212 | Theft punished. (Cf. Q221.8, Q413.1, Q428.2, Q431.15, Q451.0.4, Q451.1.1, Q451.2.2, Q451.4.1, Q451.5.2, Q451.6.2, Q451.7.0.2.2, Q458.0.3, Q458.2.2, Q467.2, Q469.10.2, Q520.2, Q551.2.3.ff., Q551.6.4, Q551.7.2, Q552.4, Q552.6, Q552.19.3, Q554.1, Q558.6, Q559.10, Q597.3.) *Bloomfield Am. Journ. Philology XLIV 227, *Penzer V 61 n. 1, 143 n., VI 19; *Loomis White Magic 98.—Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 325 No. 1; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 96 No. 1, Keller; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Easter Island: Métraux Ethnology 378; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 122; Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 195; Africa (Cameroon): Mansfield 225, (Luba): DeClerq Zs. f. KS IV 222, (Ekoi): Talbot 233; West Indies: Flowers 567. |
| Q212.1 | Theft from dwarf (witch) revenged. *Hoffmann-Krayer Zs. f. Vksk. XXV 117. |
| Q212.2 | Grave-robbing punished. Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 116 No. 17. |
| Q212.3 | Punishment of theft: origin of sweating. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q212.4 | Stolen animal's meat impossible to cook. *Loomis White Magic 101f. |
| Q213 | Abduction punished. (Cf. Q411.8, Q595.2, R10.) Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q215 | Cannibalism punished. India: Thompson-Balys; Eskimo (Greenland): Holm 91. |
| Q217 | Treason punished. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 597. |
| Q220 | Impiety punished. (Cf. Q457.2, Q458.0.5, Q467.2, Q552.2.3.1.2, Q552.2.3.2.2, Q558.11, Q558.12, Q558.17, Q559.4, Q559.5.) Irish: *Cross, Beal XXI 317, 331, 335; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q220.1 | Devil plagues impious people. Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 13 No. 113; Lithuanian: Balys Legends Nos. 719—43, 825f.; West Indies: Flowers 567. |
| Q220.1.1 | Devil takes shape of old woman to punish impious nuns. Introduces them to three youths disguised as girls and brings about nuns' seduction. Nuns are stoned to death. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q221 | Personal offences against gods punished. (Cf. Q551.3.4.2, Q552.14.0.1.). |
| Q221.1 | Discourtesy to god punished. (Cf. Q327.) Irish: Beal XXI 336, O'Suilleabhain 125; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Greek: Grote I 32; India: *Thompson-Balys; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 132, *190, 233; Easter Island: Métraux Ethnology 141; Society Islands: Henry Ancient Tahiti (Honolulu, 1928) 382; West Indies: Flowers 567. |
| Q221.1.1 | Discourtesy to messengers of the Gods punished. Jewish: Moreno Esdras, Neuman. |
| Q221.2 | Punishment for opposition to Christ at crucifixion. (Cf. Q556.1.) |
| Q221.3 | Blasphemy punished. (Cf. Q551.1.8, Q558.4.) *Loomis White Magic 98f.; Spanish: Keller, Espinosa Jr. No. 190; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q221.4 | Seaman who defies God shipwrecked. England: Baughman; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 18 No. 174. |
| Q221.4.1 | Dam builder remarks that God Almighty could not sweep completed dam away. The whole structure gives away, disappears. U.S.: Baughman. |
| Q221.4.2 | Man vows to recover loose boat or go to hell trying. He goes to hell. U.S.: Baughman. |
| Q221.4.3 | Party of horsemen detained by bad weather vow to reach town whether God will or no. The earth swallows them up. (Cf. Q552.2.3.) England: Baughman. |
| Q221.5 | Disobedience to God punished. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (Q229). |
| Q221.6 | Lack of trust in God punished. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q221.7 | Doubt of veracity of goddess' statement punished. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q221.8 | Theft from water-deity punished. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q222 | Punishment for desecration of holy places (images, etc.) (Cf. Q411.11, Q415.7, Q431.13, Q491.1.2, Q499.3, Q551.6.5, Q551.8.2, Q552.17, Q556.6, Q557.7, Q558.5, Q558.14, Q558.17, Q558.18, Q559.9.) Irish: *Cross, O'Suilleabhain 114; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. No. 190; Greek (Herodotus): Classical Philology XXXIX (1944) 179f.; Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q222.0.1 | Stone in church sheds blood to foretell coming plunder of church. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q222.0.2 | Miraculous flow of blood from desecrated building or object. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q222.1 | Punishment for desecration of host. Irish: O'Suilleabhain No. 190; England: Baughman; Heptameron No. 33. |
| Q222.1.1 | Renegade priest punished by death for allowing heathen to defile the host. A knight slays the priest. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q222.2 | Punishment for heaping indignities upon crucifix. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q222.3 | Foul portrayal of Jesus on the Cross brings punishment to the artist and the man responsible. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q222.4 | Magic storm as punishment for profaning of temple. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q222.5 | Punishment for desecrating church (shrine, idol). Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q222.5.1 | Stones fall in churchyard, punish desecrators of church. England: Baughman. |
| Q222.5.2 | Magic storm as punishment for desecrating of temple. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q222.5.3 | Bold woman who danced naked in church is stricken with leprosy. *Loomis White Magic 97. |
| Q222.5.4 | Thieves who attempt to steal from churches or shrines are miraculously rendered powerless to get out, and walk in a circle. *Loomis White Magic 97f., 98. |
| Q222.5.5 | Desecrated church burned by burning straw carried by sparrow. (This is done through power of saint.) Irish myth: Cross; England, Wales, Scotland: Baughman. |
| Q222.5.6 | Hand stuck for beating an idol. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q222.6 | Punishment for desecration of holy temple utensils. Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q223 | Punishment for neglect of services to gods (God). (Cf. Q523.7, Q554.2, Q557.7, Q559.4.) Spanish Exempla: Keller; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q223.1 | Neglect to pray punished. Köhler-Bolte I 148; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3361, Legends Nos. 691f.; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 280 No. 47. |
| Q223.2 | Neglect to thank gods punished. Greek: Fox 59. |
| Q223.3 | Neglect to sacrifice punished. Alphabet No. 782; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 305 n. 3; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q223.4 | Neglect to hear confessional punished. Scala Celi 47a No. 263; Alphabet No. 175; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q223.4.1 | Priest joins devils after death because he lets woman die without confession. Scala Celi 161b No. 916. |
| Q223.5 | Neglect to attend church punished. U.S.: Baughman; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 18 No. 1167. |
| Q223.6 | Failure to observe holiness of Sabbath punished. (Cf. Q551.2.2, Q552.14.1.) *Loomis White Magic 99f.; Irish myth: *Cross; England, Scotland, U.S.: *Baughman; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3375, Legends Nos. 719—45; Jewish: *Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q223.7 | Punishment for neglect of mass. Irish: O'Suilleabhain 98. |
| Q223.7.1 | Virgin Mary appears to lady who neglected to hear mass. Woman awakens from trance to find piece of taper the Virgin took from her. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q223.8 | Failure to do penance punished. Monk fails and becomes ill. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q223.9 | Neglect to fast punished. Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q223.9.1 | Neglect to fast punished by sight of dragon ready to carry man off to hell. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q223.9.2 | Musician flogged for eating a kid on Friday (day of fast). (Cf. Q458.) Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q223.10 | Neglect to study scriptures punished. |
| Q223.10.1 | Neglect to study Tora punished. Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q223.11 | Failure to circumcise child punished. Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q223.12 | Failure to finish period of mourning punished. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 180. |
If you wish to get access to data for projects and research, then please contact us, we do our best to help
How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. https://folkloredatabase.com
0009-0006-1672-4451
Please cite the relevant sources, catalogues, and classification systems, including the Folklore Database, Berezkin-Duvakin Catalogue, ATU, Thompson, alongside the page accessed and the last time accessed. Please respect copyright and licenses.
Editorial annotations and database enhancements © Jonathan Fielder-White licensed under CC BY 4.0. Berezkin-Duvakin derived narrative and metadata licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Full rights information can be found here.
All rights are reserved in the database structure, selection, arrangement, metadata, classifications, software, interface design, and original editorial content.
Important: The Folklore Database expressly reserves all rights in relation to text and data mining, automated extraction, scraping, machine learning, dataset creation, and the training, development, validation, or improvement of artificial intelligence technologies or systems. No part of this website or database may be scraped, copied, reproduced, harvested, downloaded in bulk, or otherwise used for AI training or commercial data extraction without prior written permission.
Designed and Developed by Jonathan Fielder-White.
© 2024–2026 Crecganford / Jonathan Fielder-White. All rights reserved.