μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Origin of tortoise's shell. (Cf. A2215.3, A2231.1.4, A2213.3, A2211.10.)

Mythological motifs. · Animal characteristics. · Causes of animal characteristics: body. · Origin of animal characteristics: body covering. · view the constellation · filed as A2312.1

In our texts — keyword-matched, unreviewed
Filed across the traditions
  • Japanese Ikeda
  • general Dh III 9. – India: Thompson-Balys
  • general Yoruba: Ellis 273 No. 6.
Within the index

Filed under Origin of animal shell.

1 finer motif beneath it
Origin of cracks in tortoise's shell
Filed beside it
Origin of snail's shell Origin of dents in crab's shell
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
Tortoise left out in rain: hard shell develops. (Cf. A2312.1.) Animals' size increased by stretching. (Cf. A2312.1, A2301.) Bowl placed on turtle's back: hence his shell. (Cf. A2312.1.) Discourteous answer: tortoise's shell. Zeus celebrates a wedding and invites the animals. Tortoise is late. Why? "I like my house." "May you bear your house always." (Cf. A2312.1.)

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