μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Filed across the traditions
  • Irish myth Cross
  • Estonian Loorits Grundzüge I 385, 400
  • Jewish Neuman
  • Greek *Grote I 70
  • India Thompson-Balys
  • Chinese Eberhard FFC CXX III No. 66. – Sumatra: Dixon 163
  • N. Am. Indian *Thompson Tales 286 n. 56
  • Maya Alexander Lat. Am. 154. – See also references to A665.2.1.
Within the index

Filed under Support of the earth.

5 finer motifs beneath it
The four world-columns fastened immovably by two gods with their mother's hairs Four world-cords. Earth is suspended from the sky by cords at four corners Four maidens as earth-supports. One is at each of the cardinal points. (Cf. A842.) Twelve iron pillars steady the earth Four earth-nails
Filed beside it
Atlas. A man supports the earth on his shoulders Earth supported on post. The post has an old woman as guardian. When she is hungry the post shakes, causing earthquakes Earth rests on animal's back Support of the earth – miscellaneous
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.) 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 Creation of man 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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