μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Scholars’ trail — 1reference

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.

  • Irish mythCross.
Within the index

Filed under Other magic object tests truth.

2 finer motifs beneath it
Magic spring detects parricide and idolatryWell rises for sheep only for rightful owner
Filed beside it
Tree tests perjuryThief detected by psalter and key. Closed Bible with key inside at magic text loosely held by diviner and client. Name of suspected thief on end of key. As verse is spoken, if name is that of thief, book and key will turn aroundThief detected by sieve and shears. Sieve put on open shears and then grasped by two fingers so as to balance. Charm recited. If sieve trembles when name is called, that person is guiltyStick with money in it breaks and betrays thief who swears his innocenceOath taken before image. If oath is false the image turns around (or changes color)Chain around neck tests truth. Tightens when wearer speaks falsehoodMagic object cast on water sinks if person is guiltyMagic object clings to hand of guilty personFalse judgment by judge causes fruit to fall. Just judgment by judge causes fruit to be perfectPig that can be boiled only after four true stories are toldTruth-testing vesselMagic cup as test of truth and falsehoodCalumniated princess' dead body fails to rot; accuser repudiated

wander