Mythological motifs

5,822 motifs · page 30 of 30

• Will-o'-the-wisp is girl cursed by her mother for gathering plants for dyestuffs on Sunday. Will-o'-the-wisp is seen where girl disappeared. A2817.2
• Origin of churning stick. A2823
• Origin of drum. A2824
• Origin of canes: from whip thrust into ground. A2825
• Origin of shells. A2826
• Origin of pearls. A2827
• Origin of particular kinds of basket. A2828
• Origin of demons. A2831
• Origin of fish drug. A2834
• Origin of scum on stagnant water. A2847
• Miscellaneous origins. A2849
• Miscellaneous Jewish origins. A2849.1
• The four characteristics of wine. Devil helps Noah plant vineyard and kills various animals over it. These illustrate the four qualities of wine. peacock: brilliant colors; ape: jokes; lion: boldness; hog: drunkenness. A2851
• Why sexes differ in form and temperament. A2853
• Why men like tobacco, but spit when smoking. Adam in paradise spat upon the tobacco plant. A2854
• Trees classified as "pleasant trees, herb trees, shrub trees." A2855
• Why men become old. A2861
• Why spirits are invisible. A2862
• Why soil in certain country is poor. A2871
• Why coral is soft. A2872
• Why babies have soft spots in head. A2875
• Why palm oil is red. A2877