Motif Index of German Secular Narratives                 
Published by the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna
 Introduction   Matière de Bretagne   Chansons de Geste   Miscellaneous Romances   Oriental Romances   Heroic Epic   Maere and Novellas   Romances of Antiquity   Index 

A. Mythological Motifs

Index of Motifs
A B C D E F
G H I J K L
M N O P Q R
S T U V W X
Y Z Back
A0–99 Creator
A100–199 The gods in general
A200–299 Gods of the upper world
A300–399 Gods of the underworld
A400–499 Gods of the earth
A500–599 Demigods and culture heroes
A600–699 The universe
A700–799 The heavens
A800–899 The earth
A900–999 Topographical features of the earth
A1000–1099 World calamities
A1100–1199 Establishment of natural order
A1200–1299 Creation of man
A1300–1399 Ordering of human life
A1400–1499 Acquisition of culture
A1500–1599 Origin of customs
A1600–1699 Distribution and differentiation of peoples
A2000–2099 Creation of insects
A2200–2299 Various causes of animal characteristics
A2400–2499 Causes of animal characteristics: appearance and habits
 

A. Mythological Motifs

A0–99 Creator

54:   Rebel angels
MdB: WvEP 469 (<1200/10)
63.6:   Devil in serpent’s form tempts first woman
RoA: UvEAlx 11130 (1278/83)

A100–199 The gods in general

101:   Supreme god
RoA: KvWTK 804 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
102.17:   Anger of God
RoA: HMvNT 42, HMvNT 89 (1390/92), KvWTK 24030, KvWTK 24158 (1281/87), TrojEl 70, TrojEl 71 (1375)
102.17.1:   Miracle as sign of God’s anger
MdB: Lanc3 756 (<1250)
106.2:   Revolt of evil angels against God
MdB: WvEP 469 (<1200/10)
107.17:   Anger of god
RoA: HvFLvT 15807, HvFLvT 15941 (after 1190)
110:   The origin of the gods
RoA: KvWTK 804 (1281/87), TrojEl 8 (1375)
120.1:   God as shape-shifter
RoA: AvHMC 1 (1190/1210)
123.3.1:   God with many eyes
RoA: GrAlx 5390 (1397)
123.3.2:   God with flashing eyes
RoA: StrAlx 6395 (1170)
123.12:   (Bm) God with horns of silver and gold
RoA: BaAlx 131 (1150/60), RvEAlx 574 (1235/1254), SeAlx 307 (1352)
124:   Luminous god
RoA: GrAlx 5390, GrAlx 5429 (1397)
125.4:   Beautiful goddess
RoA: HMvNT 27 (1390/92), HvFLvT 2125 (after 1190)
132:   God in animal form
MdB: AlbJT 816 (<1272/1294)
132.14:   Ram-god
RoA: UvEAlx 9760 (1278/83)
142:   Smith of the gods
RoA: KvWTK 3794 (1281/87)
145:   Champions of the gods
RoA: KvWTK 3618 (1281/87)
151:   Home of the gods
RoA: HvVEn 52 (1170/74), UvEAlx 6905 (1278/83)
151.1.2:   Home of gods in cave
RoA: StrAlx 6395 (1170)
151.7:   Deity [God] lives in the forest
RoA: KvWTK 804 (1281/87), TrojEl 8 (1375)
152:   God’s throne
RoA: StrAlx 6411 (1170)
155:   Animals of the gods
RoA: KvWTK 24030 (1281/87), TrojEl 70 (1375)
156.2:   God’s crown
RoA: GoTK 1827 (1280), KvWTK 1092 (1281/87), TrojEl 10 (1375)
156.5:   Chariot of the gods
MdB: AlbJT 3428 (<1272/1294)
163:   Contests among the gods
MdB: HvdTCr 8285 (>1225)
RoA: AvHMB 1 (1190/1210), HvVEn 6 (1170/74), KvWTK 1244, KvWTK 1510, KvWTK 1913, KvWTK 2590, KvWTK 41738 (1281/87), TrojEl 11, TrojEl 12, TrojEl 14 (1375), UvEAlx 4863 (1278/83)
164.1:   Brother-sister marriage of the gods
RoA: KvWTK 1510 (1281/87), TrojEl 12 (1375)
164.2:   Adultery among the gods
RoA: HvVEn 84 (1170/74)
165.2:   Messenger of the gods
RoA: KvWTK 944, KvWTK 18755 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375), UvEAlx 5095 (1278/83)
165.2.3:   Angels as God’s messengers
MdB: AlbJT 186 (<1272/1294), Lanc3 33, Lanc3 306 (<1250)
CdG: GeRo 653 (ca. 1350), KM3 48, KM3 64, KM4 2, KM5 1, KM5 62, KM5 122 (1320/40), PKRL 47, PKRL 1750 (1172), StrKG 307, StrKG 2303 (1220/50), UvTAr 8 (1261/69), UvTAr2 147 (>1300), UvTRW 25831, UvTRW 28434, UvTRW 31327, UvTRW 31731 (>1243)
HE: Kudr 24 (>1260), WDieB 330 (ca. 1250)
MN: EnWb 27, EnWb 379 (<1350), RvEGG 494, RvEGG 1821 (1210/1220)
RoA: OttEr 207, OttEr 5361 (after 1215)
165.3:   Cupbearer of the gods
RoA: UvEAlx 4850 (1278/83)
167.1:   Council of the gods
RoA: GrAlx 5380 (1397)
168:   Family of gods
RoA: KvWTK 1510 (1281/87)
170:   Deeds of the gods
MdB: Lanc3 283 (<1250)
RoA: KvWTK 804 (1281/87), TrojEl 8 (1375)
171:   Gods ride through air
RoA: AvHMB 72 (1190/1210), HvNAp 6831 (1300)
172:   Gods intervene in battle [war]
RoA: TrojEl 136 (1375)
178:   God as prophet
RoA: HMvNT 40, HMvNT 41 (1390/92), HvFLvT 3420, HvFLvT 3512 (after 1190), HvNAp 12076 (1300), HvVEn 58 (1170/74), RvEAlx 389 (1235/1254)
180:   Gods in relation to mortals
MdB: Lanc3 306 (<1250)
RoA: HvVEn 14 (1170/74), KvWTK 804 (1281/87), TrojEl 8 (1375)
181:   God serves as menial on earth
RoA: AvHMB 72 (1190/1210)
182:   God reveals himself to mortals
RoA: GoTK 1970 (1280)
182.1:   God reveals secrets (mysteries) to mortals
MdB: Lanc3 368 (<1250)
RoA: KvWTK 3130 (1281/87)
182.2:   God gives name to child
RoA: GoTK 1827 (1280)
182.3:   God (angel) speaks to mortal
MdB: Lanc2 498, Lanc3 292 (<1250), Lohe 631 (>1285)
CdG: GeRo 653 (ca. 1350), KEmd 85 (1354), KM3 48, KM3 64, KM4 2, KM5 1, KM5 89 (1320/40), PKRL 47, PKRL 6990 (1172), StrKG 307, StrKG 8374 (1220/50), UvTRW 25831, UvTRW 28434, UvTRW 31583, UvTRW 31731, UvTRW 32356, UvTRW 32685 (>1243), WvEW 24 (1210/20)
HE: Kudr 24 (>1260)
MN: EnWb 450 (<1350), KKJB 907 (>1372)
RoA: HMvNT 40 (1390/92), HvFLvT 3420, HvFLvT 3512, HvFLvT 18207 (after 1190), HvVEn 4, HvVEn 21, HvVEn 27 (1170/74), KvWTK 18755, KvWTK 24158, KvWTK 44099 (1281/87), RvEAlx 389, RvEAlx 4089, RvEAlx 9658 (1235/1254), SeAlx 6248 (1352), StrAlx 6411 (1170), TrojEl 71 (1375), UvEAlx 5095 (1278/83)
182.3.2:   God rebukes mortal
MdB: Lanc3 320, Lanc3 350, Lanc3 371 (<1250)
RoA: GrAlx 5390 (1397), StrAlx 6900 (1170)
182.3.4:   God makes promises to mortal
RoA: GoTK 1970 (1280), KvWTK 2590, KvWTK 4322 (1281/87), TrojEl 15, TrojEl 18 (1375)
182.3.5:   God advises mortal
MdB: WCRPa 804 (1331-1336)
RoA: HMvNT 41 (1390/92), HvFLvT 3512 (after 1190), HvNAp 14092 (1300), KvWTK 18755, KvWTK 24158, KvWTK 44099 (1281/87), TrojEl 71 (1375)
185:   Deity cares for favorite individuals
RoA: HvNAp 4170, HvNAp 12076 (1300), HvVEn 14, HvVEn 60, HvVEn 89 (1170/74)
185.2:   Deity protects mortal
MdB: WCRPa 747 (1331-1336)
RoA: HvVEn 60, HvVEn 89 (1170/74), KvWTK 24509 (1281/87), TrojEl 72 (1375)
185.3:   Deity teaches mortal
RoA: GoTK 1827 (1280)
185.6:   Deity particular friend to one mortal
RoA: HvVEn 60, HvVEn 89 (1170/74)
185.16:   God pities mortal
RoA: HvNAp 11794 (1300)
187.2:   Mortal as umpire of quarrel between gods
RoA: HMvNT 27 (1390/92), KvWTK 1510, KvWTK 1913, KvWTK 2590 (1281/87), TrojEl 13 (1375)
188:   Gods and goddesses in love with men
RoA: AvHMC 1 (1190/1210), KvWTK 688, KvWTK 804 (1281/87), TrojEl 6, TrojEl 8 (1375)
189:   Gods in relation to mortals–miscellaneous
RoA: HMvNT 27 (1390/92), HvFLvT 2125 (after 1190), HvNAp 6831, HvNAp 11268, HvNAp 12076, HvNAp 12632 (1300), KvWTK 3130, KvWTK 3869 (1281/87)
197:   Deity controls elements
RoA: HvNAp 5139 (1300), KvWTK 24030 (1281/87), TrojEl 70 (1375)
197.1:   (Bm) Storm as sign of Goddess’s wrath
RoA: HMvNT 42, HMvNT 93 (1390/92), HvFLvT 17052 (after 1190), KvWTK 24030, KvWTK 24158 (1281/87), TrojEl 70, TrojEl 71 (1375)

A200–299 Gods of the upper world

220:   Sun-God
MdB: AlbJT 816, AlbJT 2963 (<1272/1294)
240:   Moon-God
MdB: AlbJT 2963 (<1272/1294)
250:   Star-God
MdB: AlbJT 2963 (<1272/1294)

A300–399 Gods of the underworld

300:   Gods of underworld
RoA: HvVEn 40, HvVEn 49 (1170/74)
310:   God of the world of the dead
RoA: HvVEn 49 (1170/74)

A400–499 Gods of the earth

421:   Sea-god
RoA: AvHMB 72 (1190/1210), KvWTK 944 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
421.1:   Sea-goddess
RoA: GoTK 14919 (1280), KvWTK 804, KvWTK 13974 (1281/87), TrojEl 8, TrojEl 48 (1375)
427.1:   Goddess of springs and wells
RoA: KvWTK 1008 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
431.1:   Goddess of fertility
RoA: KvWTK 1008 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
433.3:   God of the vine
RoA: KvWTK 944 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
434:   Goddess (god) of flowers
RoA: KvWTK 1008 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
435:   God [Goddess] of trees and forests
RoA: KvWTK 1008 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
440.1:   Goddess of animals
RoA: KvWTK 24030 (1281/87), TrojEl 70 (1375)
451:   Artisan-god
RoA: KvWTK 804 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
451.3.1:   Goddess of weaving and spinning
RoA: HvVEn 88 (1170/74)
452.1:   Goddess of hunting
MdB: Lanc1 6 (<1250)
RoA: KvWTK 1008, KvWTK 24030 (1281/87), TrojEl 9, TrojEl 70 (1375)
454:   God of healing
RoA: KvWTK 944 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
461.1:   Goddess of wisdom
RoA: KvWTK 1008 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
473:   God [Goddess] of wealth
RoA: KvWTK 1008 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
475:   God of love
MdB: HvdTCr 10763 (>1225), KvSGM 320, KvSGM 2814 (>1250), PlMel 619 (<1270)
RoA: HvVEn 17, HvVEn 139, HvVEn 143, HvVEn 152 (1170/74), KvWTK 944 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
475.0.1:   Cupid with arrows of lead and gold
MdB: AlbJT 3984 (<1272/1294)
RoA: KvWTK 944 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
475.0.2:   Marriage-god
RoA: KvWTK 944 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
475.1:   Goddess of love
MdB: KvSGM 320, KvSGM 2814 (>1250), PlMel 619 (<1270)
RoA: GoTK 7419, GoTK 8938 (1280), HvNAp 11794 (1300), HvVEn 15, HvVEn 141, HvVEn 148, HvVEn 152 (1170/74), KvWTK 1008 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
485:   God of war
RoA: KvWTK 944 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
485.1:   Goddess of war [dispute]
RoA: KvWTK 1244 (1281/87), TrojEl 11 (1375)
486:   The Furies
RoA: HvFLvT 16390 (after 1190)
489:   Gods of abstractions–miscellaneous
RoA: KvWTK 24656 (1281/87)
495:   Mountain-god [-goddess]
RoA: KvWTK 1008 (1281/87), TrojEl 9 (1375)
499.4.1:   Goddess of sorcery
RoA: KvWTK 10488 (1281/87), TrojEl 37 (1375)

A500–599 Demigods and culture heroes

511.1.5:   Culture hero son of mortal (half-mortal) father [and goddess mother]
RoA: HvVEn 3, HvVEn 14, HvVEn 60, HvVEn 76, HvVEn 83 (1170/74)
515.1.1:   Twin culture heroes
RoA: TrojEl 131 (1375)
528:   Culture hero has supernatural helpers
RoA: HvVEn 32, HvVEn 83 (1170/74)
546:   Culture hero establishes social system
RoA: HvVEn 190 (1170/74)
560:   Culture hero’s (demigod’s) departure
RoA: TrojEl 131 (1375)
566:   Culture hero returns to upper world
RoA: HvVEn 55 (1170/74)
570:   Culture hero [King Arthur] still lives
MdB: HvAIw 1 (>1190/1200), MaAm 3 (>1300)
571.1:   Culture hero still alive in hollow hill
MdB: Lohe 22 (>1285)
571.2:   Culture hero still alive on mysterious island
RoA: HvNAp 14774 (1300)
580:   Culture hero’s (divinity’s) [king’s] expected return
MdB: MaAm 3 (>1300), UvZLa 6874 (>1194)
581:   Culture hero (divinity) returns
HE: UvLFD 1451 (1255)

A600–699 The universe

601.2:   Universe created in six days
RoA: UvEAlx 11130 (1278/83)
610:   Creation of the universe by creator- The creator is existing before all things
MN: WeG 1 (>800)
RoA: UvEAlx 11130 (1278/83)
661:   Heaven- A blissful upper world
MN: AlbTund 1861 (ca. 1190), Musp 1 (<876)
661.0.1:   Gate of heaven
RoA: BaAlx 4154 (1150/60), StrAlx 6843 (1170)
661.0.2:   Music in heaven
MN: AlbTund 1861 (ca. 1190)
666:   Ladder to heaven
RoA: UvEAlx 11287 (1278/83)
671:   Hell- Lower world of torment
MN: Musp 1 (<876)
RoA: HvVEn 40 (1170/74), UvEAlx 24833, UvEAlx 24859 (1278/83)
671.0.1.1:   Other locations for hell
MR: Wuert 105, Wuert 417 (>1300)
671.1:   Doorkeeper of hell
RoA: HvVEn 45 (1170/74), UvEAlx 24859 (1278/83)
671.2:   Horrible sights in hell
MN: AlbTund 544 (ca. 1190), TundFr1 90, TundFr2 1, TundFr2 182 (ca. 1200)
671.2.1:   Serpents in hell
MN: AlbTund 853 (ca. 1190)
671.2.2.3:   Rivers of fire [sulphur] in hell
MN: AlbTund 630 (ca. 1190)
RoA: HvVEn 48 (1170/74)
671.2.4:   The fires of hell
MN: AlbTund 853 (ca. 1190)
671.2.4.1:   Sea of fire in hell
MN: AlbTund 737 (ca. 1190)
671.2.5:   Dragons [monsters] in hell
MN: AlbTund 667, AlbTund 737 (ca. 1190), TundFr1 90, TundFr2 1 (ca. 1200)
RoA: UvEAlx 24833 (1278/83)
671.2.11:   Birds made of iron in hell
MN: AlbTund 995 (ca. 1190), TundFr2 182 (ca. 1200)
671.3.3:   Alternate heat and cold in hell
MN: AlbTund 591 (ca. 1190)
RoA: UvEAlx 24859 (1278/83)
672:   Stygian river [Lethe (forgetfulness)]
RoA: HvVEn 43, HvVEn 48 (1170/74)
672.1:   Ferryman on river in lower world (Charon)
RoA: HvVEn 40 (1170/74)
672.1.1:   Charon exacts fee to ferry souls across Styx
RoA: HvVEn 41 (1170/74)
673:   Hound of hell. Cerberus
RoA: HMvNT 5 (1390/92), HvFLvT 346 (after 1190), HvVEn 45 (1170/74)
675:   Judges in the lower world
RoA: HvVEn 40 (1170/74)
677.1:   Smith of hell
MN: AlbTund 1067 (ca. 1190)
693:   Intermediate future world. Residence for those whose good and evil deeds exactly counterbalance
MN: AlbTund 1480, AlbTund 1510 (ca. 1190)
694:   Christian paradise
MN: AlbTund 1510, AlbTund 1720, AlbTund 1805, AlbTund 1861, AlbTund 2032 (ca. 1190)

A700–799 The heavens

737.1:   Eclipse caused by monster devouring sun or moon [devil swallowing sun]
MdB: HvdTCr 8997 (>1225)
761:   Ascent to stars. People or animals ascend to the sky and become stars
RoA: TrojEl 131 (1375)
787:   Relation of the planets to human life
MdB: WvEP 483, WvEP 485, WvEP 490, WvEP 787 (<1200/10)

A800–899 The earth

875.1:   Navel of the earth. Omphalos, central point on the earth disk
RoA: StrAlx 5489 (1170)

A900–999 Topographical features of the earth

984:   Pillars of Hercules at Gibraltar set up by Hercules
MdB: Lanc2 76 (<1250)
RoA: GrAlx 3905 (1397), HMvNT 5 (1390/92), SeAlx 5991 (1352), UvEAlx 21733 (1278/83)

A1000–1099 World calamities

1002:   Doomsday. Catastrophes precede the Day of Judgment
MN: Musp 30 (<876)
OR: Orend 3169 (>1200)
RoA: HvFLvT 3251 (after 1190), RvEAlx 17320 (1235/1254), SeAlx 4274 (1352)
1002.2:   Signs before the Day of Judgment
MN: Musp 30 (<876)
1018:   Flood as punishment
MR: ReivB 19722 (>1291)
1021:   Deluge: escape in boat (ark)
MR: ReivB 19722 (>1291)
RoA: RvEAlx 17061 (1235/1254), UvEAlx 11130 (1278/83)
1030:   World-fire
MN: Musp 30 (<876)
1031.6:   Miscellaneous reasons for world-fire
MN: Musp 30 (<876)
1053:   Behavior of moon at end of world
MN: Musp 30 (<876)
1074.4:   Fettered monster [giant] preyed upon by vulture [birds]
MdB: HvdTCr 14104 (>1225)
1075:   End of world heralded by coming of Antichrist
MN: Musp 30 (<876)
1082.5:   God conquers Satan at end of world
MN: Musp 30 (<876)
1093:   End of world announced by trumpet
MN: Musp 30 (<876)

A1100–1199 Establishment of natural order

1116:   Origin of sea-waves
MdB: PlGar 9110 (<1270)

A1200–1299 Creation of man

1210:   Creation of man by creator
RoA: UvEAlx 11130 (1278/83)

A1300–1399 Ordering of human life

1331:   Paradise lost
MdB: Lanc3 288 (<1250)
RoA: UvEAlx 25265 (1278/83)
1391:   Why other members must serve the belly
MN: GvMFa 95 (>1270), UBEd 60 (ca. 1345)

A1400–1499 Acquisition of culture

1432.2:   Acquisition of gold
MdB: AlbJT 1667 (<1272/1294)
1445.1.1:   (Bm) Argus as first ship builder
RoA: TrojEl 30 (1375)
1461.2.1:   Origin of harp
OR: SaMor 446 (>1200)
1468.1:   Invention of chess game
RoA: KvWTK 40821 (1281/87)

A1500–1599 Origin of customs

1541.2:   Origin of feast in honor of certain god (goddess)
RoA: HvVEn 91 (1170/74)
1552:   Marriage between close relatives
OR: Orend 156 (>1200)

A1600–1699 Distribution and differentiation of peoples

1610:   Origin of various tribes
MR: ReivB 19492 (>1291)
1653.1:   Origin of kings (from Gods)
MdB: AlbJT 86 (<1272/1294)
1656:   Origin of noblemen [knighthood]
MN: MovC 1 (1210/15)
1660:   Characteristics of various peoples – in personal appearance.
MdB: WvEP 516 (<1200/10)
RoA: UvEAlx 25043, UvEAlx 26447 (1278/83)
1670:   Characteristics of various peoples – in industry and warfare
RoA: TrojEl 137 (1375)
1681.2:   Why Jews do not eat pork [origin of food tabu]
RoA: UvEAlx 11287 (1278/83)

A2000–2099 Creation of insects

2091.1:   Arachne transformed to spider: vies with goddess in spinning
RoA: HvVEn 88 (1170/74)

A2200–2299 Various causes of animal characteristics

2239:   Animal characteristics from miscellaneous punishments
MN: GvMFa 49 (>1270), UBEd 44 (ca. 1345)
2250:   Animal characteristics: result of contest
MN: Harm 1 (>1400)

A2400–2499 Causes of animal characteristics: appearance and habits

2423.1.2:   Peacock’s ugly voice
MN: GvMFa 68 (>1270)
2431:   Birds’ nests
RoA: TrojEl 71 (1375), UvEAlx 23207 (1278/83)
2433.4:   Haunts of birds
MN: GvMFa 17 (>1270)
2434.2.3:   Why there are no snakes in Ireland
MN: AlbTund 75 (ca. 1190)
2477.2:   Why hen scratches in ground
MN: GvMFa 91 (>1270)
2491.1:   Why bat flies by night
MN: UBEd 44 (ca. 1345)
2494.11:   The elephant’s enemies
HE: WDieB 511 (ca. 1250)
2571.0.1:   Adam gives name to all animals
MdB: WvEP 516 (<1200/10)
MR: ReivB 19657 (>1291)