μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Filed across the traditions
  • Jewish *Neuman
  • Siberian Holmberg Siberian 371ff. – N. Am. Indian: *Thompson Tales 283 n. 49, (Calif.): Gayton and Newman 94
  • Eskimo (Bering Strait) Nelson RBAE XI 338, (N. Alaska and Mackenzie River): Jenness 80, (Labrador): Hawkes GSCan XIV 152, (Cumberland Sound): Boas BAM XV 167
  • Quiché Alexander Lat. Am. 163.
  • general *Hdwb. d. Abergl. I 460 s.v. "Anthropogonie"
  • general *DeCock Volkssage, 146ff.
  • general *Basset RTP XVIII 542 and references to earlier volumes. – Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 34 No. 6
Within the index
2 finer motifs beneath it
Man created to rule the earth Unacceptable gods as first inhabitants of earth
Keeps company with — shares receipted episodes
Hierarchy of worlds. A series of worlds, one above the other World-tree. Tree extending from lowest to highest world. (Cf. A878.) World-columns. Four (two, etc.) columns or supports sustain the earth Atlas. A man supports the earth on his shoulders Deluge. Inundation of whole world or section Flood from fluids of the body Flood from belly. It flows from pierced belly of monster World-fire. A conflagration destroys the earth. Sometimes (as with the flood legends) the tradition is somewhat local and does not refer to an actual destruction of the whole earth; sometimes the fire marks the end of the world Confusion of tongues. Originally all men speak same language. Because of a sin they come to speak different languages Origin of death Distribution of tribes Birds cling to sky in flood: cause of tail colors. (Cf. A2412.2.)

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