Mythological motifs

5,822 motifs · page 20 of 30

• Creation of bugs. A2052
• Creation of maggots. A2053
• Creation of orthoptera. A2060
• Creation of cockroach. A2061
• Origin of cockroach in Finland. A2061.1
• Origin of locust. A2062
• Creation of cricket. A2063
• Creation of grasshopper. A2064
• Creation of miscellaneous insects. A2070
• Origin of spider. [Note: In folk thought the spider is classed as an insect and not with the other arachnida.] (Cf. A1751.) A2091
• Arachne transformed to spider: vies with goddess in spinning. A2091.1
• Origin of scorpion. A2092
• Origin of leaf-scorpion. A2092.1
• Origin of mantis. A2093
• Creation of fireflies. A2094
• Creation of lac insects. A2095
• Creation of fish. A2100
• [First Edition: A2101. Fish created from wood (bark).] A2101[1st ed.]
• [First Edition: A2102. Fish from Woman's severed fingers. (Cf. A1724.1.)] A2102[1st ed.]
• Creation of particular fishes. A2110
• Creation of pike. A2111
• Creation of mullet. A2112
• Origin of olachen. A2115
• Creation of mackerel. A2121
• Origin of bonito. A2122
• Origin of salmon. A2125
• Origin of flounder. A2126
• Origin of flounder from Virgin Mary's half-eaten fish. (Cf. A2305.1.2.) A2126.0.1
• Origin of sole. A2126.1
• Origin of catfish. A2127
• Creation of eel. A2131
• Creation of prawns. A2132
• Origin of whale. [Note: In folk thought, a fish.] A2135
• Origin of narwhal. A2135.1
• Creation of leviathan. A2135.2
• Creation of sharks: from a savage tribe. A2137
• Creation of reptiles. A2140
• Creation of snake (serpent). A2145
• Origin of horned serpent. A2145.0.1
• Snake from blood of slain monster. Medusa. (Cf. A1724, A2001.) A2145.1
• Snake preserved in ark: to stop hole with tail. A2145.2
• Snake created to suck poison from earth. A2145.3
• Snake from devil's slaver. A2145.4
• Adder harmful to holy person transformed to blindworm. (Cf. A1710, A1730, A2231.7.) A2145.5
• Creation of crocodile. A2146
• Creation of tortoise (turtle). A2147
• Creation of lizard. A2148
• Creation of chameleon. A2148.1
• Origin of salamander. A2148.2
• Origin of amphibia. A2160
• Origin of toad. A2161
• Origin of frog. A2162
• Origin of miscellaneous animal forms. A2170
• Origin of crustaceans. A2171
• Origin of crayfish. A2171.1
• Crayfish from devil's fleas shaken off in water. (Cf. A1710.) A2171.1.1
• Creation of crab. A2171.2
• Origin of lobster. A2171.3
• Origin of shrimp. A2171.4
• Origin of snail. A2181
• Origin of worm. A2182
• Origin of silkworm. A2182.1
• Origin of leech. A2182.2
• Origin of earth-worm. A2182.3
• Origin of cutworm. A2182.4
• Origin of multipede. A2182.5
• Cause of animal characteristics. A2200
• All qualities of animals appear with their creation. A2201
• Animal characteristics: change in ancient animal. (Cf. A2311.) A2210
• Animal characteristics: accidental action of ancient animal. A2211
• Lynx views country from mountainside: cause of his squint. (Cf. A2330.2.) A2211.1
• Rabbit laughs: cause of hare-lip. (Cf. A2216.3, A2234.4, A2342.1.) A2211.2
• Wolf falls out of nest: cause of straight back. (Cf. A2356.2.2.) A2211.3
• Why some whales die on land: first whale did so. A2211.4
• Shrew blows nose into snout. Sent after fire, he finds but a little which he tries to revive by hard blowing. A2211.5
• Spider carries large stone on head and drops it: hence spiders under stones. (Cf. A2433.5.3.) A2211.6
• Birds cling to sky in flood: cause of tail colors. (Cf. A2412.2.) A2211.7
• Lizard dips head in palm-oil: cause of red head. (Cf. 2320.3.) A2211.8
• Lizard swallows fish bone: hence head bobs up and down. (Cf. A2474.1.) A2211.9
• Tortoise left out in rain: hard shell develops. (Cf. A2312.1.) A2211.10
• How rattlesnake became harmful: earthworm feeds him chili pepper. A2211.11
• Buffalo helps tiger quench fire: white mark left on buffalo's neck where tiger held on while being ducked in water. A2211.12
• Stag defeated by snail vomits his gall-bladder. A2211.13
• Rat defecates on octopus's head: origin of tubercles on head. A2211.14
• Goddess scatters pubic hairs on fish: why he has so many bones. A2211.15
• Animal characteristics from great fear. A2212
• Frightened rabbit puts head in charred tree: hence black ears. (Cf. A2325.2.) A2212.1
• Frightened animals scatter: cause of present habitat of each. (Cf. A2433.1.) A2212.2
• Animal characteristics from squeezing or stretching ancient animal. (Cf. A2231.9). A2213
• Ancient animal squeezed: hence small size. (Cf. A2302.) A2213.1
• Animal pressed: hence facial or bodily marks. (Cf. A2412.4.) A2213.2
• Wildcat's (Lynx's) face mashed in. (Cf. A2230.1.) A2213.2.1
• Tortoise pressed into earth: hence humpy back. (Cf. A2356.2.9.) A2213.2.2
• Baboon pressed on hot, flat rock: hence bald place on his back. (Cf. A2317.10.) A2213.2.3
• Why lobster is shallow: insulted cattle step on it. A2213.2.4
• Animals' size increased by stretching. (Cf. A2312.1, A2301.) A2213.3
• Animal characteristics changed by stretching. A2213.4
• Coyote's muzzle pulled out long. (Cf. A2335.4.4.) A2213.4.1
• Fox's tail pulled out long. (Cf. A2378.3.4.) A2213.4.2
• Mouse's nose pulled out long. A2213.4.3
• Animal characteristics from being struck. A2213.5
• Mole struck on head in attempt to steal fire: hence his flat head. A2213.5.1
• Fish struck by coconut: hence flat tail. A2213.5.2
• Animal characteristics from dropping ancient animal from air. A2214
• Swallow thrown on his tail: cause of split tail. (Cf. A2378.5.1.) A2214.1
• Ant thrown from heaven: hence narrow waist. God decides dispute between ant and spider in spider's favor. (Cf. A2355.1.2.) A2214.2
• Unicorn thrown from ark and drowned: hence no longer exists. A2214.3
• Crab thrown to ground: breaks into small pieces. Hence crabs are small. A2214.4
• Tortoise hurled on rock: half falls on land, half in water. Therefore amphibious. A2214.5
• Tortoise dropped by eagle: hence cracks in his shell. (Cf. A2312.1.1.) A2214.5.1
• Bat falls from high perch due to extreme heat of sun's rays, breaks bones, etc. Hence peculiar feet and nose. A2214.6
• Animal characteristics from throwing members at ancient animal. A2215
• Stick (leaf) thrown at animal's rump: hence tails. (Cf. A2378.3.3.) A2215.1
• Hare runs away at creation; almost loses tail. When, as the most timid of all beasts, he runs away, God throws a tail at him from a pile of tails. (Cf. A2378.4.1.) A2215.2
• Bowl placed on turtle's back: hence his shell. (Cf. A2312.1.) A2215.3
• Red fruit thrown at rail's (bird's) head: hence red lump on head. (Cf. A2321.8.) A2215.4
• Fox struck with churn-dash: hence white tail. (Cf. A2378.8.1.) A2215.5
• God throws diver's feet after him; hence his feet reach backward. (Cf. A2371.2.9.) A2215.6
• Animal characteristics: members bitten or cut off. A2216
• Bear fishes through ice with tail: hence lacks tail. (Cf. A2378.2.4.) A2216.1
• Devil pulls off goats' tails: hence lack tails. (Cf. A2378.2.2.) A2216.2
• Moon splits hare's lip with hatchet: hence hare-lip. (Cf. A2211.2, A751.5.1, A2342.1.) A2216.3
• Bush-rat bites off tortoise's tail: hence tortoise's short tail. (Cf. A2378.4.4.) A2216.4
• Hawk's tail cut in two by sword as he is being transformed. Cause of his forked tail. (Cf. A2378.5.2.) A2216.5
• God as falcon has tail cut off: hence falcon's short tail. A2216.6
• Formerly animals have ears like elephant's: hare bites them off. A2216.7
• Appearance of animal from marking or painting. A2217
• Birds painted their present colors. A2217.1
• Chipmunk's back scratched: hence his stripes. As he is trying to escape, bear catches him with his claws and marks him permanently. (Cf. A2413.2.) A2217.2
• Marks on certain fish from fingerprints. A2217.3
• Marks on certain fish from St. Peter's fingerprints. (Cf. A901, A2217.2, A2412.4). A2217.3.1
• Marks on certain fish from devil's fingerprints. A2217.3.2
• Animal characteristics from burning or singeing. (Cf. A2378.8.4, A2411.1.2.5, A2411.1.3.2, A2411.1.4.1, A2411.1.6.5, A2411.2.1.1, A2411.2.1.4, A2411.2.1.9, A2411.2.1.7, A2411.2.1.11, A2411.2.5.2, A2411.2.5.1, A2411.2.1.15, A2411.2.6.8, A2411.4.2, A2411.4.3, A2411.5.3.) A2218
• Raven caught in smoke-hole: hence is black. (Cf. A2411.2.1.5.) A2218.1
• Animal scorches self while putting out fire in land of fire, woe and darkness. A2218.1.1
• Jackal carries sun in bag on back; burns his back black. (Cf. A721.1, A2356.3.2.) A2218.2
• Animal who steals fire scorched: cause of his color. (Cf. A1415.) A2218.3
• Coyote burnt when hay is set afire: hence yellow patch behind his ears. A2218.4
• Robin steals fire, has breast scorched. A2218.5
• Raven singes feet on hot stones: why its wings clap when it flies. (Cf. A2442.2.1.) A2218.6
• Rabbit burns self under chin when he steals an ember. A2218.7
• Eel burned by torch: hence red eyes. A2218.8
• Other accidents to ancient animal. A2219
• Animal has color spilled on him: cause of his color. (Cf. A2391.1, A2411.1.1.1, A2411.1.2.4, A2411.1.3.1, A2411.2.1.1, A2411.1.4.2, A2411.1.6.3, A2411.2.1.4, A2411.2.1.6, A2411.2.4.1, A2411.2.6.1, A2411.2.6.5, A2411.2.6.6, A2411.2.6.11, A2411.4.1.) A2219.1
• Cow swallows book; cause of maniplies in stomach. A2219.2
• Only one serpent had sting: fed poison to the rest. A2219.3
• Animal characteristics as reward. A2220
• Hedgehog's skin reward for good deed. (Cf. A2311.4.) A2220.1
• Animal characteristics reward for pious act. (Cf. A2231.) A2221
• Animals blessed for honoring infant Jesus. (Cf. A2231.4, A2356.2.7, A2381.1.) A2221.1
• Animals blessed for good services at crucifixion. (Cf. A2231.2.) A2221.2
• Flies on Christ's body rewarded. They look like nails and prevent more nails being driven. They may eat at the king's table. (Cf. A2545.1.) A2221.2.1
• Blood from cross on robin redbreast: He helps Jesus; rewarded with red breast. (Cf. A2353.2.) A2221.2.2
• Blood of scourged Christ on certain spiders. (Cf. A2411.3.2.) A2221.2.3
• Swallows lift Christ's crown of thorns from his brow: why their nests are not destroyed. (Cf. A2431.3.5.) A2221.2.4
• Swallows put on mourning at crucifixion: have never taken it off. A2221.2.4.1
• Crossbill, attempting to draw thorn from the crown of thorns, twists bill in the attempt. A2221.2.4.2
• Markings on animals as recollections of Christ's life and sufferings. (Cf. A2412.) A2221.3
• Ant collects incense and myrrh for Christ: grows thin in middle. (Cf. A2451.1, A2453.1.) A2221.4
• Animal blessed for helping holy fugitive. (Cf. A2231.7.1.) A2221.5
• Ox helps patriarch who in joy kisses him on the lips: hence no hair on ox's lips. A2221.5.1
• Animal blessed for obedience to deity. A2221.6
• Bird coloring as reward for obedience to deity. A2221.6.1
• Dove returns to ark in obedience to Noah: receives sheen of raven. A2221.7
• Squirrel's markings and immunity from falling as reward by deity. A2221.8
• Why sheep walk with bowed heads: they have remained so after having bowed to God. A2221.9
• Sheep helpful to the Lord: get wool. A2221.10
• Deity rewards animal for bringing him water: cause of present characteristics. A2221.11
• Animal characteristics reward for hospitality. A2222
• Thrush's hospitality to peacock rewarded by being given motley coat of feathers. (Cf. A2411.2.1.1.) A2222.1
• Animal characteristics reward for helpfulness. A2223
• Cat helps man build house: may occupy chimney corner. (Cf. A2233.2, A2433.3.1.) A2223.1
• Bird carries deity (his daughter) home from land of skulls: given brilliant plumage. (Cf. A2313.4, A2321.6, A2421.5.) A2223.2
• Mouse gathers rice for man: may eat a little of his rice daily. A2223.3
• Pike helps Christ cross stream: made king of fishes. A2223.4
• Dog guards master's life and wealth: may eat before other animals. A2223.5
• Tortoise given hard shell when it ferries rice-goddess across stream. A2223.6
• Ravens show Adam how to bury dead: are born with white feathers. A2223.7
• Chameleon saves hero's life: may change color. Fang: Einstein 96. A2223.8
• Animal characteristics as reward – miscellaneous. A2229
• Dog rescues cow's teats from fire: origin of his black muzzle. (Cf. A2335.4.3.) A2229.1
• Dog lets devil into church to steal: rewarded with dog-skin. (Cf. A2311.1.) A2229.2
• Owl will not betray curate: therefore may live in steeple. (Cf. A2433.4.1.) A2229.3
• Fly steals fire from spider: may eat everywhere. Spider brings fire from hell. Fly steals it from him on the way. (Cf. A2545.1.) A2229.4
• Cuckoo delivers other birds from their cruel king: they agree to hatch out cuckoo's young. A2229.5
• Bird has red spot on its tail as reward for having moved woman's organ to its present position. A2229.6
• Animal characteristics as punishment. A2230
• Animal characteristics: punishment for impiety. (Cf. A2221, A2311.8, A2422.2, A2302.2, A2355.1.2, A2542.1.) A2231
• Animal characteristics: punishment for discourteous answer to God (saint). (Cf. A2411.2.6.) A2231.1
• Discourteous answer: why cow (horse) is always eating. When God (Peter) wants to use the cow (horse) the excuse is made that she (he) is eating. Curse: "May you always be eating!" (Cf. A2472.1, A2478.) A2231.1.1
• Discourteous answer: flounder's crooked mouth. When God asks him where he is going, instead of answering he turns to go toward God. His mouth becomes crooked. (Cf. A2341.1.) A2231.1.2
• Discourteous answer: why crab has eyes behind. (Cf. A2332.4.1.) A2231.1.3
• 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.) A2231.1.4
• Animal characteristics: punishment for hostility at crucifixion. (Cf. A2221.2.) A2231.2
• Crane will not weep at crucifixion: must suffer thirst in August and break bills. Is the only bird who will not weep. (Cf. A2234.1, A2435.4.2.) A2231.2.1
• Swallows torment Christ on cross: lose voice. (Cf. A2422.9.) A2231.2.2
• Animal characteristics: punishment for working on holy day. A2231.3
• Cuckoo builds nest on Annunciation Day: has no nest. (Cf. A2431.2.1.) A2231.3.1
• Bees work on Sabbath: may not get honey from red clover. (Cf. A2435.5.1.) A2231.3.2
• Frog fails to honor infant Jesus: loses tail. (Cf. A2221.1, A2378.2.3. A2231.4