μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Magic object indicates desired place.

Magic. · Magic objects. · Function of magic objects. · Magic objects effect changes in persons. · Magic object gives supernatural information. · view the constellation · filed as D1314

ask the rhapsode about this motif →

“The practical effect of this worship is seen in the following examples taken from the Chinese list of one hundred and twenty-nine lucky and unlucky stars, which, with the sixty cycle-stars and the twenty-eight constellations, besides a vast multitude of others, make up the celestial galaxy worshipped by China's millions: the Orphan Star enables a woman to become a man; the Star of Pleasure decides on betrothals, binding the feet of…”

Myths & Legends of China, Chapter V · served from our shelf

On our shelf — the index’s citations, resolved to served chapters
Scholars’ trail — 4references

The index’s own references — the collections where scholars sighted this story-shape, tradition by tradition. Titles on our shelf are live links; the rest is the frontier, not yet shelved.

Within the index

Filed under Magic object gives supernatural information.

16 finer motifs beneath it
Magic object shows place where person has been killedMagic arrow indicates desired place. (Cf. D1092.)Magic wand (twig) locates hidden treasure. (Cf. D954, D1254, D1254.2.)Saint's bachall discovers gold. (Cf. D1277.)Bell indicates place for settlement. Remains dumb until place destined for saint's final settlement is reached. (Cf. D1213, D1314.1.2, D1314.2.1.)Hand-of-glory indicates location of treasure. (Cf. D1162.2.1.)Loaf of bread locates drowned man. Floated on water comes to rest directly over corpse. (Cf. D1031.1.)Magic plant (flower) shows location of treasure. (Cf. D965, D975.)Jewels aid in search for treasure. (Cf. D1071.)Magic cloth leads owner to lost horses. (Cf. D1051.)Fiery pillar guides person (to church). (Cf. D1271.)Seat-pillars thrown in the sea (with god's image) indicate where to settleCoffin lands where the dead is to be buried, and his son to settleStar indicates location of newborn heroFour balls given to each of four impoverished men point out places where they should dig. (Cf. 1256.)Dried root sprouts when planted to indicate spot where holy man should set up his abode. (Cf. D967.)
Filed beside it
Magic seat gives omniscience. (Cf. D1151.)Drop from magic cauldron gives supernatural information. (Cf. D1171.2.)Intelligent ship. (Cf. D1123.)Magic object tells how another faresMagic staff gives supernatural information. (Cf. D1254.)Magic charm gives knowledge. (Cf. D1273.)Singing of wave gives supernatural information. (Cf. D911.1.)Speaking and walking divan brings supernatural informationMagic water gives knowledge. (Cf. D1242.1.)Magic fruit gives supernatural knowledgeMagic nut gives supernatural knowledge. (Cf. D985.)Magic object used for divinationMagic object gives adviceMagic object points out roadMagic object locates lost personMagic object reveals truth. (Cf. D1318.)
Travels with
Magic discovery of desired place. (Cf. D1314.)Treasure found by sprinkling ground with blood of white cock. (Cf. D1314.)
Keeps company with — shares receipted episodes
Stars as deitiesOrigin of constellationsOrigin of particular starsBird of dawn. Golden plumage; three feetBird announces time for sunrise and sunsetHelpful magpieAnimals serve as bridge across streamGiant serpentTabu: looking at supernatural wife nakedTransformation: man to smokeTransformation: pill to white rabbitMagic cake

wander