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Motif List

Letter

Motif No.

Motif group name

No.

A. Mythological Motifs

A0 – A99

Creator

1

A. Mythological Motifs

A100 – A149

The gods in general part 1

2

A. Mythological Motifs

A150 – A199.

The gods in general part 2

3

A. Mythological Motifs

A200 – A299

Gods of the upper world

4

A. Mythological Motifs

A300 – A399

Gods of the underworld

5

A. Mythological Motifs

A400 – A499

Gods of the earth

6

A. Mythological Motifs

A500 – A599

Demigods and culture heroes

7

A. Mythological Motifs

A600 – A649

Creation of the universe

8

A. Mythological Motifs

A650 – A699

Nature of the universe

9

A. Mythological Motifs

A700 – A709

The heavens

10

A. Mythological Motifs

A710 – A739

The sun

11

A. Mythological Motifs

A740 – A759

The moon

12

A. Mythological Motifs

A760 – A799

The stars and the heavenly lights

13

A. Mythological Motifs

A800 – A899

The earth

14

A. Mythological Motifs

A900 – A949

Topographical features of the earth

15

A. Mythological Motifs

A950 – A999

Land features

16

A. Mythological Motifs

A1000 – A1099

World calamities and renewals

17

A. Mythological Motifs

A1100 – A1199

Establishment of natural order

18

A. Mythological Motifs

A1200 – A1299

Creation of man

19

A. Mythological Motifs

A1300 – A1399

Ordering of human life

20

A. Mythological Motifs

A1400 – A1499

Acquisition of culture

21

A. Mythological Motifs

A1500 – A1599

Origin of customs

22

A. Mythological Motifs

A1600 – A1699

Distribution and differentiation of peoples

23

A. Mythological Motifs

A1700 – A1799

Creation of animal life – general

24

A. Mythological Motifs

A1800 – A1899

Creation of mammals

25

A. Mythological Motifs

A1900 – A1999

Creation of birds

26

A. Mythological Motifs

A2000 – A2099

Creation of insects

27

A. Mythological Motifs

A2100 – A2199

Creation of fish and other animals

28

A. Mythological Motifs

A2200 – A2299

Various causes of animal characteristics

29

A. Mythological Motifs

A2300 – A2399

Causes of animal characteristics: body

30

A. Mythological Motifs

A2400 – A2499

Causes of animal characteristics: appearance and habits

31

A. Mythological Motifs

A2500 – A2599

Animal characteristics – miscellaneous

32

A. Mythological Motifs

A2600 – A2699

Origin of trees and plants

33

A. Mythological Motifs

A2700 – A2799

Origin of plant characteristics

34

A. Mythological Motifs

A2800 – A2899

Miscellaneous explanations

35

B. Animals

B0 – B49

Mythical animals I

36

B. Animals

B50 – B99

Mythical animals II

37

B. Animals

B100 – B199

Magic animals

38

B. Animals

B200 – B249

Animals with human traits I

39

B. Animals

B250 – B299

Animals with human traits II

40

B. Animals

B300 – B349

Helpful animals – general

41

B. Animals

B400 – B499

Kinds of helpful animals

42

B. Animals

B500 – B599

Services of helpful animals

43

B. Animals

B600 – B699

Marriage of person to animal

44

B. Animals

B700 – B799

Fanciful traits of animals

45

B. Animals

B800 – B899

Miscellaneous animal motifs

46

C. Tabu

C0 – C99

Tabu connected with supernatural beings

47

C. Tabu

C100 – C199

Sex Tabu

48

C. Tabu

C200 – C249

Eating Tabus

49

C. Tabu

C250 – C299

Drinking Tabus

50

C. Tabu

C300 – C399

Looking tabu

51

C. Tabu

C400 – C499

Speaking tabu

52

C. Tabu

C500 – C549

Tabu: touching

53

C. Tabu

C550 – C599

Class tabu

54

C. Tabu

C600 – C649

Unique Prohibitions and Compulsions. The One Forbidden Thing

55

C. Tabu

C650 – C699

Unique Prohibitions and Compulsions. The One Compulsory Thing

56

C. Tabu

C700 – C829

Miscellaneous Tabus

57

C. Tabu

C830 – C899

Unclassified Tabus

58

C. Tabu

C900 – C999

Punishment for breaking tabu

59

D. Magic

D0 – D99

Transformation (general)

60

D. Magic

D100 – D199

Transformation: man to animal

61

D. Magic

D200 – D299

Transformation: man to object

62

D. Magic

D300 – D399

Transformation: animal to person

63

D. Magic

D400 – D499

Other forms of transformation

64

D. Magic

D500 – D599

Means of transformation

65

D. Magic

D600 – D699

Miscellaneous transformation incidents

66

D. Magic

D700 – D799

Disenchantment

67

D. Magic

D800 – D899

Ownership of magic objects

68

D. Magic

D900 – D999

Kinds of magic objects I

69

D. Magic

D1000 – D1099

Kinds of magic objects II

70

D. Magic

D1100 – D1199

Kinds of magic objects III

71

D. Magic

D1200 – D1299

Kinds of magic objects IV

72

D. Magic

D1300 – D1339

Function of magic objects I

73

D. Magic

D1340 – D1369

Function of magic objects II

74

D. Magic

D1370 – D1399

Function of magic objects III

75

D. Magic

D1400 – D1439

Magic object gives power over other persons

76

D. Magic

D1440 – D1499

Magic object gives power over animals

77

D. Magic

D1500 – D1549

Magic object controls disease

78

D. Magic

D1550 – D1599

Magic object miraculously opens and closes

79

D. Magic

D1600 – D1649

Automatic magic objects

80

D. Magic

D1650 – D1699

Other characteristics of magic objects

81

D. Magic

D1700 – D1799

Possession and means of employment of magic powers

82

D. Magic

D1800 – D1949

Lasting magic qualities

83

D. Magic

D1950 – D2049

Temporary magic characteristics

84

D. Magic

D2050 – D2099

Destructive magic powers

85

D. Magic

D2100 – D2149

Other manifestations of magic power

86

D. Magic

D2150 – D2199

Miscellaneous magical manifestations

87

E. The Dead

E0 – E199

Resuscitation

88

E. The Dead

E200 – E299

Malevolent return from the dead

89

E. The Dead

E300 – E399

Friendly return from the dead

90

E. The Dead

E400 – E499

Ghosts and revenants – miscellaneous I

91

E. The Dead

E500 – E599

Ghosts and revenants – miscellaneous II

92

E. The Dead

E600 – E699

Reincarnation

93

E. The Dead

E700 – E799

The soul

94

F. Marvels

F0 – F149

Other world journeys I

95

F. Marvels

F150 – F199

Other world journeys II

96

F. Marvels

F200 – F299

Fairies and elves

97

F. Marvels

F300 – F399

Fairies and mortals

98

F. Marvels

F400 – F449

Spirits and demons I

99

F. Marvels

F450 – F479

Spirits and demons II

100

F. Marvels

F480 – F499

Spirits and demons III

101

F. Marvels

F500 – F539

Remarkable persons I

102

F. Marvels

F540 – F599

Remarkable persons II

103

F. Marvels

F600 – F699

Persons with extraordinary powers

104

F. Marvels

F700 – F799

Extraordinary places and things

105

F. Marvels

F800 – F899

Extraordinary rocks and stones

106

F. Marvels

F900 – F999

Extraordinary occurrences I

107

F. Marvels

F1000 – F1099

Extraordinary occurrences II

108

G. Ogres

G0 – G99

Cannibals and cannibalism

109

G. Ogres

G100 – G199

Giant ogres

110

G. Ogres

G200 – G299

Witches

111

G. Ogres

G300 – G302

Other ogres

112

G. Ogres

G303.1 – G303.21

Other ogres: devil I

113

G. Ogres

G303.22 – G303.25

Other ogres: devil II

114

G. Ogres

G304 – G399

Other ogres

115

G. Ogres

G400 – G499

Falling into ogre’s power

116

G. Ogres

G500 – G599

Ogre defeated

117

G. Ogres

G600 – G699

Other ogre motifs

118

H. Tests

H0 – H199

Identity tests: Recognition

119

H. Tests

H200 – H299

Tests of truth

120

H. Tests

H300 – H499

Marriage tests

121

H. Tests

H500 – H699

Tests of cleverness I

122

H. Tests

H700 – H899

Tests of cleverness II

123

H. Tests

H900 – H1199

Tests of prowess: tasks

124

H. Tests

H1000 – H1199

Nature of tasks

125

H. Tests

H1200 – H1399

Tests of prowess: quests

126

H. Tests

H1400 – H1599

Other Tests

127

J. The wise and the foolish

J0 – J199

Acquisition and possession of wisdom (knowledge)

128

J. The wise and the foolish

J200 – J499

Choices

129

J. The wise and the foolish

J500 – J599

Prudence and discretion

130

J. The wise and the foolish

J600 – J799

Forethought

131

J. The wise and the foolish

J800 – J899

Adaptability

132

J. The wise and the foolish

J900 – J999

Humility

133

J. The wise and the foolish

J1000 – J1099

Other aspects of wisdom

134

J. The wise and the foolish

J1100 – J1249

Clever persons and acts

135

J. The wise and the foolish

J1250 – J1399

Clever verbal retorts (repartee) I

136

J. The wise and the foolish

J1400 – J1499

Clever verbal retorts (repartee) II

137

J. The wise and the foolish

J1500 – J1649

Clever practical retorts

138

J. The wise and the foolish

J1650 – J1699

Miscellaneous clever acts

139

J. The wise and the foolish

J1700 – J1749

Fools (general)

140

J. The wise and the foolish

J1750 – J1849

Absurd misunderstandings

141

J. The wise and the foolish

J1850–J1999

Absurd disregard of facts

142

J. The wise and the foolish

J2000 – J2049

Absurd absent-mindedness

143

J. The wise and the foolish

J2050 – J2199

Absurd short-sightedness

144

J. The wise and the foolish

J2200 – J2259

Absurd lack of logic

145

J. The wise and the foolish

J2260 – J2299

Absurd scientific theories

146

J. The wise and the foolish

J2300 – J2349

Gullible fools

147

J. The wise and the foolish

J2350 – J2399

Talkative fools

148

J. The wise and the foolish

J2400 – J2449

Foolish imitation

149

J. The wise and the foolish

J2450 – J2499

Literal fools

150

J. The wise and the foolish

J2500 – J2599

Foolish extreme

151

J. The wise and the foolish

J2600 – J2649

Cowardly fool

152

J. The wise and the foolish

J2650 – J2699

Bungling fool

153

J. The wise and the foolish

J2700 – J2799

The easy problem made hard

154

K. Deceptions

K0 – K99

Contests won by deception

155

K. Deceptions

K100 – K299

Deceptive bargains

156

K. Deceptions

K300 – K399

Thefts and cheats I

157

K. Deceptions

K400 – K499

Thefts and cheats II

158

K. Deceptions

K500 – K599

Escape by deception I

159

K. Deceptions

K600 – K699

Escape by deception II

160

K. Deceptions

K700 – K799

Capture by deception

161

K. Deceptions

K800 – K999

Killing or maiming by deception

162

K. Deceptions

K1000 – K1199

Deception into self-injury

163

K. Deceptions

K1200 – K1299

Deception into humiliating position

164

K. Deceptions

K1300 – K1399

Seduction or deceptive marriage

165

K. Deceptions

K1400 – K1499

Dupe’s property destroyed

166

K. Deceptions

K1500 – K1599

Deceptions connected with adultery

167

K. Deceptions

K1600 – K1699

Deceiver falls into own trap

168

K. Deceptions

K1700 – K1799

Deception through bluffing

169

K. Deceptions

K1800 – K1899

Deception by disguise or illusion

170

K. Deceptions

K1900 – K1999

Impostures

171

K. Deceptions

K2000 – K2099

Hypocrites

172

K. Deceptions

K2100 – K2199

False accusations

173

K. Deceptions

K2200 – K2299

Villains and traitors

174

K. Deceptions

K2300 – K2399

Other deceptions

175

L. Reversal of fortune

L0 – L99

Victorious youngest child

176

L. Reversal of fortune

L100 – L199

Unpromising hero (heroine)

177

L. Reversal of fortune

L200 – L299

Modesty brings reward

178

L. Reversal of fortune

L300 – L399

Triumph of the weak

179

L. Reversal of fortune

L400 – L499

Pride brought low

180

M. Ordaining the future

M0 – M99

Judgments and decrees

181

M. Ordaining the future

M100 – M199

Vows and oaths

182

M. Ordaining the future

M200 – M299

Bargains and promises

183

M. Ordaining the future

M300 – M399

Prophecies

184

M. Ordaining the future

M400 – M499

Curses

185

N. Chance and fate

N0 – N99

Wagers and gambling

186

N. Chance and fate

N100 – N299

The ways of luck and fate

187

N. Chance and fate

N300 – N399

Unlucky accidents

188

N. Chance and fate

N400 – N499

Lucky accidents

189

N. Chance and fate

N500 – N599

Treasure trove

190

N. Chance and fate

N600 – N699

Other lucky accidents

191

N. Chance and fate

N700 – N799

Accidental encounters

192

N. Chance and fate

N800 – N899

Helpers

193

P. Society

P0 – P99

Royalty and nobility

194

P. Society

P100 – P199

Other social orders

195

P. Society

P200 – P299

The family

196

P. Society

P300 – P399

Other social relationships

197

P. Society

P400 – P499

Trades and professions

198

P. Society

P500 – P599

Government

199

P. Society

P600 – P699

Customs

200

P. Society

P700 – P799

Society – miscellaneous motifs

201

Q. Rewards and punishments

Q0 – Q99

Deeds rewarded

202

Q. Rewards and punishments

Q100 – Q199

Nature of rewards

203

Q. Rewards and punishments

Q200 – Q299

Deeds punished I

204

Q. Rewards and punishments

Q300 – Q399

Deeds punished II

205

Q. Rewards and punishments

Q400 – Q499

Kinds of punishment I

206

Q. Rewards and punishments

Q500 – Q549

Kinds of punishment II

207

Q. Rewards and punishments

Q550 – Q599

Kinds of punishment III

208

R. Captive and fugitives

R0 – R99

Captivity

209

R. Captive and fugitives

R100 – R199

Rescues

210

R. Captive and fugitives

R200 – R299

Escapes and pursuits

211

R. Captive and fugitives

R300 – R399

Refuges and recapture

212

S. Unnatural cruelty

S0 – S99

Cruel relatives

213

S. Unnatural cruelty

S100 – S199

Revolting murders or mutilations

214

S. Unnatural cruelty

S200 – S299

Cruel sacrifices

215

S. Unnatural cruelty

S300 – S399

Abandoned or murdered children

216

S. Unnatural cruelty

S400 – S499

Cruel persecutions

217

T. Sex

T0 – T99

Love

218

T. Sex

T100 – T199

Marriage

219

T. Sex

T200 – T299

Married life

220

T. Sex

T300 – T399

Chastity and celibacy

221

T. Sex

T400 – T499

Illicit sexual relations

222

T. Sex

T500 – T599

Conception and birth

223

T. Sex

T600 – T699

Care of children

224

U. The nature of life

U0 – U99

Life's inequalities

225

U. The nature of life

U100 – U299

The nature of life – miscellaneous motifs

226

V. Religion

V0 – V99

Religious services

227

V. Religion

V100 – V199

Religious edifices and objects

228

V. Religion

V200 – V299

Sacred persons

229

V. Religion

V300 – V399

Religious beliefs

230

V. Religion

V400 – V449

Religious virtues

231

V. Religion

V450 – V499

Religious orders

232

V. Religion

V500 – V599

Religious motifs – miscellaneous

233

W. Traits of character

W0 – W99

Favorable traits of character

234

W. Traits of character

W100 – W199

Unfavorable traits of character

235

W. Traits of character

W200 – W299

Traits of character – miscellaneous

236

X. Humor

X0 – X99

Humor of discomfiture

237

X. Humor

X100 – X199

Humor of disability

238

X. Humor

X200 – X299

Humor of social classes: Humor dealing with tradesmen

239

X. Humor

X300 – X499

Humor of social classes: . Humor dealing with professions

240

X. Humor

X500 – X599

Humor concerning other social classes

241

X. Humor

X600 – X699

Humor concerning races or nations

242

X. Humor

X700 – X799

Humor concerning sex

243

X. Humor

X800 – X899

Humor based on drunkenness

244

X. Humor

X900 – X909

Humor of lies and exaggeration

245

X. Humor

X910 – X959

Lie: the remarkable man – his birth, growth, death, physical powers, strength

246

X. Humor

X960 – X1019

Lie: remarkable person's skills

247

X. Humor

X1020 – X1099

Remarkable man's extraordinary possessions

248

X. Humor

X1100 – X1199

Lie: great hunters and fishermen

249

X. Humor

X1200 – X1399

Lies about animals

250

X. Humor

X1400 – X1499

Lies about plants, fruits, vegetables, and trees

251

X. Humor

X1500 – X1599

Lies about geography and topography

252

X. Humor

X1600 – X1699

Lies about weather and climate

253

X. Humor

X1700 – X1799

Lies: logical absurdities

254

X. Humor

X1800 – X1899

Miscellaneous lies and exaggerations

255

Z. Miscellaneous groups of motifs

Z0 – Z19

Formulas

256

Z. Miscellaneous groups of motifs

Z20 – Z59

Cumulative tales

257

Z. Miscellaneous groups of motifs

Z60 –Z99

Other formulistic motifs

258

Z. Miscellaneous groups of motifs

Z100 – Z199

Symbolism

259

Z. Miscellaneous groups of motifs

Z200 – Z299

Heroes

260

Z. Miscellaneous groups of motifs

Z300 – Z399

Unique exceptions

261