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 |
|---|---|
| R169.1 | Hero in disguise of foolish knight, then of black knight, rescues lady. (Cf. R222.) English: Wells 147 (Ipomadon). |
| R169.2 | Boys rescued from beasts by hermit. (Cf. N843, R131.10.) Dickson 105. |
| R169.3 | Boy saved by werwolf. (Cf. D113.1.1.) English: Wells 19 (William of Palerne). |
| R169.4 | Hero rescued by servant. (Cf. P361, R53.4.) *Type 519, 851; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R169.4.1 | Rescue of bride from mysterious perils by hidden faithful servant. Type 516; *Rösch FFC LXXVII 128; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| R169.4.2 | Rescue of king's children by faithful servant. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| R169.5 | Hero rescued by friend. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| R169.5.1 | Hero's wife rescued by his faithful friend. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R169.6 | Youth saved from death sentence by father's friend. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| R169.7 | Royal minister rescues abandoned queen(s). (Cf. P110.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R169.8 | Predestined rescuer. South Africa: Bourhill and Drake 237ff. No. 20. |
| R169.9 | Boy rescued by childless woman. Africa (Fang): Tessman 91. |
| R169.10 | Unpromising hero as rescuer. (Cf. L100.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R169.10.1 | Fool rescues girl and wins her for his wife. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R169.11 | Unknown helper(s) emerge(s) in the last moment and turn(s) out later to be well known. (Cf. R222.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| R169.12 | Hero rescued by sailors. French Canadian: Sister Marie Ursule. |
| R169.13 | Child rescued by nurse. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| R169.14 | Wounded hero restored in peasant's house. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| R169.15 | Rescue by stranger. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R169.16 | Death as rescuer. (Cf. R185.) Africa (Dahomé): Einstein 27. |
| R170 | Rescue—miscellaneous motifs. |
| R175 | Rescue at the stake. (Cf. R151.2, R154.1.1, R164.2, R215.) *Dickson 78 n. 40; *Boje 116ff.; English: Wells 97 (Chevalere Assigne); Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; West Indies: Flowers 572. |
| R175.1 | Escape from sacrificial altar on ram with golden fleece. Greek: Grote I 117. |
| R176 | Executioner miraculously blinded: condemned man saved. Jewish: *bin Gorion Born Judas I 39, 361, Neuman. |
| R181 | Demon enclosed in bottle released. *Type 331; *BP II 414ff., IV 321; Jewish: Neuman, **Levi Revue des études Juives LXXXV 137; India: *Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| R181.1 | Demon imprisoned in tree released. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R182 | True rescuer hidden by girl when he arrives to claim her. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R185 | Mortal fights with "Death". (Cf. R169.16.) *BP III 293; Greek: *Frazer Apollodorus I 92 n. 3, Fox 38, 107 (Alcestis, Sisyphus); India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R185.1 | Mortal deceives Angel of Death. (Cf. V233.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| R187 | Horn of Roncevalles. Hero calls aid of waiting soldiers on horn. *Thien Motive 32; Old French: Chanson de Roland. |
| R187.1 | Dord fían. A call used by members of a fían (warrior band) for summoning aid. Irish myth: Cross. |
| R188 | Rescued person horrifies rescuers: e.g., they swoon on seeing him. Scottish: Campbell-McKay No. 2. and note. |
| R191 | King (prince) returns home (from exile) and rescues his native country. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| R200 | Escapes and pursuits. |
| R210 | Escapes. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R211 | Escape from prison. Icelandic: *Boberg; Missouri French: Carrière. |
| R211.1 | Giant breaks from tower prison. Dickson 130 n. 102; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| R211.2 | Captive bores way out of prison. Icelandic: *Boberg; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 313 No. 98; Korean: Zong in-Sob 174 No. 75. |
| R211.3 | Escape through underground passage. Italian: Basile Pentamerone II No. 7. |
| R211.4 | Escape from slavery (pirates). (Cf. R61.) Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| R211.5 | Captive hews through iron prison with sword. Irish myth: Cross. |
| R211.6 | Captive knocks prison roof off. (Cf. F627.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| R211.7 | Escape from pit of snakes by means of rope. (Cf. Q465, R41.3.1.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| R211.8 | Rescue from prison by beheading giant keeper. French Canadian: Sister Marie Ursule. |
| R211.9 | Escape from prison because of bribed guards. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 355. |
| R212 | Escape from grave. |
| R212.1 | Man buried alive with king escapes from the tomb. Follows noise made by sea animal and finds way out to sea. Chauvin VII 19 No. 373D n. 3. |
| R212.1.1 | Man buried alive escapes from tomb when thief tries to rob it. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| R212.1.2 | Captive buried alive to his neck fastens his teeth on jackal that comes to eat him and companions. Rest flee when they hear him howl. In struggles to get free jackal loosens earth around captive, who manages to free himself. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 570. |
| R212.2 | Man buried alive with beloved escapes, as thieves break open the tomb. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| R213 | Escape from home. |
| R213.1 | Prince escapes from home in order to see world. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| R214 | Animal eludes bird watchman and escapes from his hole. Indonesia: DeVries's list No. 112. |
| R215 | Escape from execution. |
| R215.1 | Escape from execution pyre by means of wings. *Type 575. |
| R215.1.2 | Escape from execution pyre through underground passage. Hdwb. d. Märchens I 600b. nn. 17—18. |
| R215.2 | Escape from death by boiling oil. Irish myth: Cross. |
| R215.3 | Escape from execution on flying wooden horse. (Cf. D1626.1.) India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 839. |
| R216 | Escape from ship while captors quarrel. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| R216.1 | Escape from ship by jumping into the sea. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| R217 | Inscription accidentally seen tells hero how to escape captivity. Africa (Swahili): Steere 331ff. |
| R218 | Escape from fairyland. (Cf. F210.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| R219 | Escapes—miscellaneous. |
| R219.1 | Man carried off on bed escapes by grasping tree limbs as he passes under tree. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| R219.2 | Man and wife escape from land of dead upon a vine. (Cf. E481.) Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 185. |
| R220 | Flights. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R221 | Heroine's three-fold flight from ball. Cinderella (Cap o' Rushes) after meeting the prince at a ball (church) flees before identification is possible. Repeated three times. *Type 510; **Cox 1—121, 437—446 passim; Missouri French: Carrière; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. Nos. 123f.; Italian: Basile Pentamerone I No. 6; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R222 | Unknown knight. (Three days' tournament.) For three days in succession an unknown knight in different armor wins a tournament and escapes without recognition. Finally identified by tokens. **Weston The Three Days Tournament; *Types 314, 502; *BP III 111; *Child V 44ff.; *Webster Kittredge Memorial Volume 227; Bruce MLN XXIV 257; *Hibbard 226 n. 2; *Fb "hest" I 598a; Zs. f. Vksk. IV 98; RTP VIII 82. — English: Wells 48 (Lancelot of the Laik), 147 (Ipomadon); Icelandic: *Boberg; Missouri French: Carrière; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 18; India: Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian: *Thompson CColl II 349ff., 407, (Wichita): Dorsey JAFL XVI 160, (Skidi Pawnee): Dorsey MAFLS VIII Nos. 40, 41. |
| R224 | Girl flees to escape incestuous brother. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| R225 | Elopement. *Type 516; Rösch FFC LXXVII 106; *Thien Motive 27; *Boje 110ff.; *Krappe Revue Hispanique LXXVIII (1930) 489—543. — Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Missouri French: Carrière; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Greek: *Frazer Apollodorus II 174 n. 1 (Helen); India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 860. |
| R225.1 | Elopement on winged horse. Type 516; Rösch FFC LXXVII 110. |
| R225.2 | Lovers elope to prevent girl's marriage to undesired fiancé. Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles No. 98. |
| R227 | Wife flees from husband. (Cf. P210, T200.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R227.1 | Wife flees from animal husband. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R227.2 | Flight from hated husband. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| R227.3 | Supernatural wife finds garment stolen from her by husband and leaves him. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R228 | Children leave home because their parents refuse them food. Irish myth: Cross. |
| R231 | Obstacle flight—Atalanta type. Objects are thrown back which the pursuer stops to pick up while the fugitive escapes. *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 526; Köhler-Bolte I 430; Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Spanish: Espinosa II Nos. 122—25; Greek: Roscher Lexikon s.v. "Absyrtos"; India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 860; Japanese: Anesaki 224; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 342 n. 232; S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 74; Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 99 No. 18, 125 No. 22, (Zulu): Callaway 145, (Angola): Chatelain 101 No. 6, (Kaffir): Theal 46 No. 2, (Yoruba): Ellis 269 No. 4. |
| R231.1 | Ogre tries to retain fugitive by tempting him with gold ring; but he takes ring by cutting off the hand. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| R231.2 | Fugitive cuts tail of camel caught by pursuer and it turns into grass. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R231.2.1 | Helpful animal's tail cut off so pursuers who hang onto tail are shaken off into river. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R233 | Fugitive kills pursuer and takes his extraordinary horse to continue flight. Boje 96ff. |
| R235 | Fugitives cut support of bridge so that pursuer falls. Indonesia: Dixon 229. |
| R236 | Pursuers aided by magic weather phenomenon. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| R236.1 | Fugitive aided by magic mist. Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| R236.2 | Sun sets at high noon to hide fugitive. (Cf. F965.) Jewish: *Neuman. |
| R236.3 | Earthquake saves fugitive. Jewish: Neuman. |
| R236.4 | Fugitive has magic wind against him, pursuer with him (caused by goddess). Icelandic: Boberg. |
| R241 | Flight on skis; two on one pair. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| R242 | Flight carrying friend (girl) on back. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| R243 | Fugitives aided by helpful animal. (Cf. B520.) |
| R243.1 | Pursuer misdirected by animal to help fugitive. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R244 | Ships burned to prevent flight. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| R245 | Whale-boat. A man is carried across the water on a whale (fish). (He usually deceives the whale as to the nearness of the land or as to hearing thunder. As a consequence the whale runs into the shore or is killed by lightning.) *Loomis White Magic 91; cf. Aarne FFC XXIII 137; Maori: Dixon 8; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 327 n. 179; Jamaica: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 256f. Nos. 38, 39, 275 No. 86; Cape Verde Islands: Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 310 n. 1. |
| R245.1 | Crocodile-boat. Trickster props his jaws apart and leaves him. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R245.2 | Snake king takes fleeing captives across river. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 785. |
| R246 | Crane-bridge. Fugitives are helped across a stream by a crane who lets them cross on his leg. The pursuer is either refused assistance or drowned by the crane. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 340 n. 227. |
| R246.1 | Stone bridge appears for fugitives. Disappears and drowns pursuers. Loomis White Magic 130. |
| R251 | Flight on a tree, which ogre tries to cut down. **Parsons Zs. f. Ethnologie LIV 1-29; Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. XXXIII—XXXIV 38; Japanese: Ikeda; Korean: Zong in-Sob 9 No. 3; Africa (Togo): Einstein 12f.; Cape Verde Islands: Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 121 n. 3, 125, 131f.; American Negro (Georgia): Harris Friends 91 No. 12. Cf. Thompson Tales 341 n. 230. Most African references in B421. |
| R252 | Flight by vaulting on stick. N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 92. |
| R253 | Escape from nest of giant bird by seizing two young birds and jumping. Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 201. |
| R255 | Formula for girl fleeing: behind me night, etc. "Behind me night and before me day that no one shall see where I go." *Type 510B; *BP II 46; Ainu: Ikeda (Type 175). |
| R257 | Fugitives sustain selves on apples. Hdwb. d. Märchens I 90b no. 3. |
| R260 | Pursuits. Missouri French: Carrière; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R261 | Pursuit by rolling object. |
| R261.1 | Pursuit by rolling head. *Kittredge Gawain and the Green Knight 189 n. 1; Japanese: Ikeda; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 343 nn. 238, 238a, *Alexander N. A. Myth. 290 n. 37; cf. JAFL II 69; (California): Gayton and Newman 79; S. A. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 684, (Chaco, Warrau, Shipaya): Lowie ibid. 54f., (Tenetehara): Wagley-Galvao ibid. 148; Africa (Congo): Weeks 207 n. 4. |
| R262 | Magic eel pursues man over land. Irish myth: Cross. |
| R265 | Pursuer (witch, giant) pulls out tail of fugitive's horse. Fb "hale" IV 197b; cf. Burns "Tam O' Shanter"; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R267 | Fugitives trailed by mustard seeds (ashes) dropped from bag. (Cf. R135.) India: *Thompson-Balys; Africa (Kaffir): Theal 127ff. |
| R268 | Dew in footprints reveals man's way. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| R271 | Pursuit by fire. N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 82. |
| R272 | Pursuer follows successive night campfires (each brighter than last). Chinese: Graham. |
| R300 | Refuges and recapture. |
| R310 | Refuges. *Encyc. Rel. & Ethics s.v. "Asylum". |
| R311 | Tree refuge. Type 162*; *Fb "træ" III 865a; *Hdwb. d. Märchens I 199a; BP I 429, II 195f.—Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "arbres"; Missouri French: Carrière; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Japanese: Ikeda; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 341 n. 230; S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 62; Africa (Zulu): Callaway 145, 346. |
| R311.1 | Trees magically hide a fugitive. Dh II 40ff.; N. A. Indian: Kroeber JAFL XXI 225. |
| R311.1.1 | Thorn-brake as refuge. Irish myth: Cross. |
| R311.2 | King escapes pursuers through hollow tree in his hall. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| R311.3 | Stolen child found in hollow tree. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R311.4 | Stretching tree refuge for fugitive. (Cf. D482.1.) India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| R312 | Forest as refuge. |
| R312.1 | Forest as refuge of eloping lovers. (Cf. R225.) Schoepperle 391ff.; Irish myth: *Cross. |
| R313 | Princess hides in straw. *Fb "halmstrе" I 540. |
| R314 | Negro takes refuge under princess's throne. Malone PMLA XLIII 407. |
| R315 | Cave as refuge. Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: *Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Eskimo, (Greenland): Rasmussen I 150. |
| R315.1 | Cave as eloping lovers' refuge. (Cf. R225, T35.) Schoepperle 391ff.; Irish myth: Cross. |
| R315.2 | Christians crushed in cave where they take refuge from heathen. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| R316 | Refuge on rock in sea. Finnish: Kalevala rune 4. |
| R316.1 | Refuge on island. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| R317 | Well (spring) as refuge. Fb "kilde" II 118b; Irish myth: Cross; Africa (Benga): Nassau 225 No. 33, (Kaffir): Theal 129, (Basuto): Jacottet 160 No. 23. |
| R318 | Girl hidden in skin of her dead mother. Köhler-Bolte I 346. |
| R318.1 | Boy hidden under skin in order not to be seen and prophesied about. Icelandic: örvar-Odds saga 12—13. |
| R321 | Escape to the stars. Fugitives rise in the air and become stars. (Cf. R324.) Greek: Fox 250; Hindu: Keith 76; Japanese: Ikeda; Korean: Zong in-Sob 218 No. 98; Eskimo (West Hudson Bay): Boas BAM XV 360; N. A. Indian: Thompson Tales 291f. nn. 71, 71a; S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 158, 164, (Jivaro): ibid. 149. |
| R321.1 | Sister escapes to the stars to avoid marrying brother. He is the thunder and her face is Lightning. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R321.2 | Escape to moon. Pursued hero escapes to moon. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R322 | Eagle's nest as refuge. Scottish: Campbell-McKay 1 n., 25; N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 95. |
| R323 | Refuge in upper world. |
| R323.1 | Murderer escapes to sky on sky rope. (Cf. F51.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R323.2 | Murderer escapes to sky in magic chariot. Greek: Euripides' Medea. |
| R324 | Refuge in air. Fugitive supernaturally rises in air to escape. (Cf. R321.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R324.1 | Escape from battle by flying in air. Irish myth: *Cross; Eskimo (Mackenzie Area): Jenness 81, 86, (West Hudson Bay): Boas BAM XV 315, 541f., (Labrador): Hawkes GSCan XIV 151, (Greenland): Rasmussen III 99f., Rink 320, 455, 460. |
| R325 | Church (altar) as refuge. Fb "kirke" II 125b; Irish myth: *Cross; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 276 n. 4; Jewish: *Neuman; Gaster Thespis 303f.; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| R325.1 | Devil chases ghost of wicked man until he puts his head into chapel window. (Cf. E754.) England: *Baughman. |
| R325.2 | Idol cracks open to grant refuge to fugitive in answer to prayer; then closes again. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| R325.3 | Saint offers murderer refuge. Irish myth: Cross. |
| R326 | Escape to fairyland. (Cf. F210.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| R327 | Earth opens to rescue fugitive. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| R331 | Hero takes refuge at king's court. *Dickson 143 nn. 140—42; Deutschbein 34; *Boje 74ff. |
| R335 | Roof as refuge for pursued animals. West Indies: *Flowers 573 —75, Parsons MAFLS XVIII (3) 26 No. 6. |
| R336 | Refuge under kettle. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| R341 | Escape by intervention of Providence. (Cf. F942.1.) |
| R341.1 | Lightning strikes branch on which man is being hanged. Delay gives him chance to prove his innocence. (Cf. R175.) U.S.: *Baughman. |
| R345 | Cities of refuge. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| R350 | Recapture of fugitive. |
| R351 | Fugitive discovered by reflection in water. *Type 408; *Cox 503; *Cosquin Contes indiens 85ff.; *Köhler-Bolte I 281; Köhler-Bolte Zs. f. Vksk. VI 64 to Gonzenbach No. 14; Malone PMLA XLIII 399.—India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Japanese: Ikeda; Indonesia: DeVries's list No. 212, Dixon 140 n. 21, 226 n. 33; New Hebrides, Torres Straits, New Guinea: ibid. 140 n. 21; Melanesia: ibid. 226 n. 33; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 352 n. 270. |
| R351.1 | Milk drops from woman's breast on tiger's leg and reveals her hiding place in tree. S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 156, 161. |
| R352 | Lovers fleeing from slavery are recaptured. (Cf. R211.4.) Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| R355 | Eloping girl recaptured by parents. (Cf. R225.) Type 516; Rösch FFC LXXVII 111. |
| S0 | Cruel relative. |
| S10 | Cruel parents. *Types 327AB, 517, 832; Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. See also S300—S399, Abandoned or murdered children, and many of the motifs in S200—S299, Cruel sacrifices. |
| S11 | Cruel father. *Types 451, 516, 671, 706, 725, 870; *Rösch FFC LXXVII 120; *Schlauch Constance and other accused Queens 40; Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 326 n. 177. |
| S11.1 | Father mutilates children. (Cf. S160.) *Type 706; Greek: Fox 74 (Phineus). |
| S11.2 | Jealous father sends son to upper world on stretching tree. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 332 n. 199; Africa (Benga): Nassau 176 No. 23. |
| S11.3 | Father kills child. |
| S11.3.1 | Man who doubts his children's paternity kills them. Murders wife and paramour. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| S11.3.2 | Father kills deformed children. (Cf. S325.0.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| S11.3.3 | Father kills son. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S11.3.3.1 | Father kills son (for stealing). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| S11.3.3.2 | Father murders his two sons for whining. Tonga: Gifford 24. |
| S11.3.4 | Cruel father, learning that he is to be killed by his son, puts to death all children born to him. (Cf. M375.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| S11.3.5 | Cruel king slays brother and brother's son. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| S11.3.6 | Father throws boy into river (sea). Africa (Congo): Weeks Jungle 407, (Cameroon): Rosenhuber 20 No. 3, (Fang): Tessman 91. |
| S11.3.7 | Father orders son assassinated. (Cf. K512.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 529; Africa (Fang): Tessman 92. |
| S11.3.8 | Father eats own children. (Cf. G10.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 920; Africa (Pangwe): Tessman 108, 365. |
| S11.4 | Father plans child's death. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S11.4.1 | Jealous father vows to kill daughter's suitors. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| S11.4.2 | Father kisses son while planning to kill him. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| S11.4.3 | Cruel fathers threaten to kill their children if they are of undesirable sex. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S11.4.4 | Cruel father seeks to kill infant son. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| S11.5 | Father banishes son at request of fairy wife. (Cf. F302, S322.4.3.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| S11.6 | Father flogs child. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S12 | Cruel mother. *Types 511, 590, 706, 765, 781; *BP I 551, III 2; *Boje 62f.; *Child V 475 s.v. "Cruel". — Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "mère"; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 14; Missouri French: Carrière; Spanish: Keller, Espinosa Jr. Nos. 115, 148f., Espinosa II Nos. 115f.; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; Eskimo: Rink 389, Kroeber JAFL XII 181; Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 76 No. 12, 168 No. 24, 190 No. 28, (Angola): Chatelain 30 No. 1. |
| S12.1 | Treacherous mother marries ogre and plots against son. *Type 590; *BP III 1; N. A. Indian: Thompson CColl. II 392. |
| S12.1.1 | Treacherous mother and paramour plan son's death. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S12.2 | Cruel mother kills child. Spanish: Espinosa Jr. Nos. 139, 151, 157; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| S12.2.1 | Mother feeds newly-born illegitimate child to dog. (Cf. S312.) Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| S12.2.2 | Mother throws children into fire. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| S12.2.3 | Mother forces child to break eating tabu: child dies. Africa (Fang): Tessman 162. |
| S12.3 | Mother orders son's death. Icelandic: Völsunga saga ch. 6—8, 40 (38), 43 (41); Italian Novella: Rotunda; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S12.4 | Cruel mother blinds son. Spanish Exempla: Keller; Eskimo (Greenland): Rink 99, Rasmussen I 312, III 201, Holm 31. |
| S12.5 | Cruel mother expels (drives away) child. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S12.5.1 | Girl impregnated by god driven from home by mother. S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 164. |
| S12.6 | Cruel mother refuses children food. Eskimo (Central): Boas RBAE VI 625, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 168; Cook Islands: Clark 77. |
| S12.7 | Mother tells healthy sons to wipe soiled hands on lame son. Africa (Wakweli): Bender 79. |
| S20 | Cruel children and grandchildren. |
| S20.1 | Children sell mother. N. A. Indian (Zuсi): Benedict 340. |
| S20.2 | Child hides food from starving parents. Marquesas: Handy 114. |
| S21 | Cruel son. Irish myth: Cross; Spanish: Espinosa III Nos. 139, 151, 157; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 287, 547, 632; Africa (Fang): Einstein 161. |
| S21.1 | Son buries aged mother alive. Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 326 No. 4. |
| S21.2 | Son blinds father. (Cf. Q451.7, S165.) Irish myth: Cross; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| S21.3 | Son gives mother as hostage. Irish myth: Cross. |
| S21.4 | King banishes mother to stables. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S21.5 | Cruel son tries to sterilize father. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| S22 | Parricide. (Cf. Q211.1.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: Neuman; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 35, 1148, II 651, 1101, 1169; Tonga: Gifford 189. |
| S22.1 | Parricide to obtain kingship. Irish myth: Cross. |
| S22.1.1 | Adopted son plots death of parents. Usurps the throne. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| S222 | Prince plans to kill wicked father for cruelty. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S22.3 | Father learns that his son is planning to kill him. Gives his son a weapon to do so. Son repents. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| S25 | Cruel grandson. |
| S25.1 | Boy kills his grandfather. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S30 | Cruel step- and foster relatives. |
| S31 | Cruel stepmother. *Types 403, 425, 432, 450, 451, 480, 502, 510, 511, 516, 590, 592, 706, 708, 709, 720; BP I 42ff., 70ff., 79ff., 165ff., 207ff., 227ff., 412ff., *421, 427ff., 450ff., II 45ff., 229ff., 490ff., III 60ff., 137, 338f.; **W. Lincke Das tiefmuttermotiv im Märchen der germanischen Völker (Berlin, 1933); *MacCulloch Childhood 150; *Cox Cinderella passim; Böklen Sneewittchenstudien passim; *Arfert Unterschobene Braut passim; Rösch FFC LXXVII 120; Ranke FFC CXIV 154ff.; *Child V 497 s.v. "stepmother"; *Fb "stifmoder"; Dh III 414ff.—Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "marâtre"; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 14; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 63 No. 453; Italian: Basile Pentamerone I No. 6, III No. 10, V No. 8, Rotunda; Greek: Grote I 103, 116; Jewish: *Neuman, *bin Gorion Born Judas I 375; India: *Thompson-Balys; Hindu: Penzer I 185; Chinese: Ferguson 162, Eberhard FFC CXX 52f., 109, 125; Japanese: Ikeda, Anesaki 324; Korean: Zong in-Sob 201f. No. 97; Indonesia: DeVries's list No. 209, Dixon 238f.; Hawaii, Micronesia, Melanesia: ibid. 89 nn. 97—102; N. A. Indian: *Thompson CColl II 382ff.; S. A. Indian (Karib): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 147; Africa (Cameroon): Mansfield 228; Jamaica: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 269 No. 81. |
| S31.1 | Adulteress and paramour plot against her stepson. They fear that he may betray them. Fischer-Bolte 214. |
| S31.2 | Children enchanted by stepmother. (Cf. D683.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| S31.3 | Cruel bird stepmother feeds young ones with thorns. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| S31.4 | Cruel stepmother feeds children with fish spines (thorns) to kill them. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S31.5 | Girl persuades her father to marry a widow who has treated her kindly. *Roberts 136. |
| S32 | Cruel stepfather. Type 970**; Icelandic: Boberg; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| S33 | Cruel stepbrother. (Cf. K2211.3.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| S34 | Cruel stepsister(s). Icelandic: Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| S36 | Cruel foster father. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 480. |
| S37 | Cruel foster son. (Cf. S22.1.1.) S. A. Indian (Warrau): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 146, (Jivaro): ibid. 148, (Amuesha): ibid. 150. |
| S40 | Cruel grandparents. |
| S41 | Cruel grandmother. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "grand'mère"; India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 254 No. 37. |
| S42 | Cruel grandfather. Kills his grandchildren. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| S50 | Cruel relatives-in-law. Chinese: Graham. |
| S51 | Cruel mother-in-law. See references to K2110.1. and K2215, many of which have the present motif. *Type 706; *BP I 295ff.; *Dickson 25 n. 26, 29 n. 3, 30 n. 4, 31 n. 9, 41 n. 40; Saintyves Perrault 67; **Däumling Studie über den Typus des Märchens ohne Hände (München, 1912); *Andree (1878) 159; Hibbard 26; Schlauch Constance and Accused Queens 40. — English: Wells 96 (Chevalere Assigne), 118 (Octovian), 130 (Emare); Rumanian: Schullerus FFC LXXVIII No. 1480*; Italian: Basile Pentamerone V No. 5, *Rotunda; India: *Thompson-Balys; Hindu: Penzer III 44f.; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 342, 736; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 125, 189; New Guinea: Dixon 136; S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 177; Cape Verde Islands: Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 180 n. 1. |
| S51.1 | Cruel mother-in-law plans death of daughter-in-law. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| S52 | Cruel father-in-law. *Type 516; *Rösch FFC LXXVII 120; *BP I 46ff.; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "gendre"; Spanish: Espinosa II Nos. 99—103, 105; India: Thompson-Balys; Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 85, (Smith Sound): Kroeber JAFL XII 168. |
| S54 | Cruel daughter-in-law. India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 256f.; Marquesas: Handy 111. |
| S54.1 | Burned and underbaked bread. Wishing to rid herself of her father-in-law, the daughter-in-law starts to feed him burned bread; but the old man begins to thrive on it. When she tries underbaked bread, he dies very soon. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 2427*. |
| S55 | Cruel sister-in-law. Chinese: Graham. |
| S56 | Cruel son-in-law. India: Thompson-Balys; Marquesas: Handy 126; S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 177. |
| S56.1 | Lover asks girl to kill her father. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S60 | Cruel spouse. |
| S62 | Cruel husband. *Type 760, 887. See references to H461. Icelandic: *Boberg; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 14; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 152; Eskimo: Boas BAM XV 188, 310, 331. |
| S62.1 | Bluebeard. Girl marries murderous husband. *Type 312; cf. Type 955; *BP I 404ff.; Child I 47; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 312f. Nos. 73, 77; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. Nos. 91—93. |
| S62.2 | Man has bride drowned so that he may marry another. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| S62.3 | Barren wife exposed by husband. Jewish: Neuman. |
| S62.4 | Husband leaves wife to die of thirst. Marquesas: Handy 99. |
| S63 | Spouse murder pact. Princess kills her husband. Prince kills his wife. Murderers marry and usurp the throne. Italian Novella: Rotunda; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| S70 | Other cruel relatives. Missouri French: Carrière. |
| S71 | Cruel uncle. Irish myth: *Cross; English: Wells 19 (William of Palerne); Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "oncle"; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; Greek: Aeschylus Agamemnon 1220 (Atreus); India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 447, 1303; Hindu: Keith 177; Chinese: Graham; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 422; Samoa: ibid. 473; Mono: Wheeler No. 29; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 313 n. 127. |
| S71.1 | Cruel uncle poisons nephew (king). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| S72 | Cruel aunt. Italian: Basile Pentamerone IV No. 7; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| S73.1 | Fratricide. Krappe Revue des études Anciennes XXXV (1933) 146ff.; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Greek: Grote I 219; Jewish: Neuman; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 13; Tonga: Gifford 83; Maori: Clark 157, Beckwith 157. |
| S73.1.0.1 | Murder of stepbrother (foster brother). Irish myth: *Cross. |
| S73.1.1 | Fratricide in order to gain control of kingship. Irish myth: *Cross; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 492. |
| S73.1.2 | Brother kills and eats brother. (Cf. G10.) Tonga: Gifford 27, Mono: Wheeler No. 22. |
| S73.1.3 | Elder brother threatens to kill younger as soon as he is born. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 436. |
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.