μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Theft of light. Light originally absent is stolen by culture hero.

Mythological motifs. · Creation and ordering of human life. · Acquisition of culture. · Acquisition of livable environment. · view the constellation · filed as A1411

Attested across traditions
Filed across the traditions
  • Jewish Neuman
  • Hindu Keith 34. – N. Am. Indian: *Thompson Tales 281 n. 42
  • Eskimo (Smith Sound) Kroeber JAFL XII 205, S. Am. Indian (Tapirape): Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 178. Cf. Finnish: Kalevala rune 47. → on our shelf: The Kalevala, Rune XLVII
Within the index

Filed under Acquisition of livable environment.

2 finer motifs beneath it
Light kept in box (basket). Stolen Theft of light by being swallowed and reborn. The hero transforms himself to a particle. The daughter of the guardian of light swallows him as she is drinking water. He is reborn. As a child in the house he steals light
Filed beside it
Origin of light – miscellaneous Origin of fire Theft of fire. Mankind is without fire. A culture hero steals it from the owner Country ridded of ogres and made peaceful Theft of tablets of fate. From heaven by bird Zu
Keeps company with — shares receipted episodes
Theft of sun. The sun, which is kept by a monster, is stolen and brought to earth Eclipse caused by monster devouring sun or moon Theft of moon. Moon is kept by a monster. It is stolen and brought to earth Light kept in box (basket). Stolen Theft of light by being swallowed and reborn. The hero transforms himself to a particle. The daughter of the guardian of light swallows him as she is drinking water. He is reborn. As a child in the house he steals light Theft of fire. Mankind is without fire. A culture hero steals it from the owner Ghost summoned by weeping

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