μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Why the sea is salt.

Mythological motifs. · Establishment of natural order. · Establishment of present order: waters. · view the constellation · filed as A1115

In our texts — keyword-matched, unreviewed
Filed across the traditions
  • New Guinea Ker 25
  • Hawaii Beckwith Myth 43.
Within the index

Filed under Establishment of present order: waters.

3 finer motifs beneath it
Why the sea is salt: because of wrecked salt ship Why the sea is salt: magic salt mill. Stolen by sea-captain, who takes it aboard and orders it to grind. It will stop only for its master; ship sinks and mill keeps grinding salt Why the sea is salt: heavy rain showers on ashes of wood burnt by primeval fire
Filed beside it
Impounded water. Water is kept by monster so that mankind cannot use it. A hero defeats the monster and releases the water. (The monster is sometimes a giant frog.) God promises never again to destroy world by water Origin of sea-waves Origin of foam on waters Origin of swirling motion of water. Animals and birds scratch in it Establishment of present order: waters – miscellaneous

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