Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
H44A — Heaven and Earth divide children.
Source data for narratives and traditions is drawn from Berezkin’s Analytical Catalogue. If you use this data, please acknowledge and link to it: Ю.Е. Березкин, Е.Н. Дувакин. Тематическая классификация и распределение фольклорно-мифологических мотивов по ареалам. Аналитический каталог.
Summary of motif
OverviewTwo characters, one associated with the sky or water, and the other with the earth or the world of spirits and humans, divide the child they have given birth to or the people they have created. Usually, the sky (water, spirit) takes the imperishable part, and the earth (human) takes the perishable part.
Berezkin category: Paradise Lost
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part of group 3, Cosmogony, the earth and the sky, etiology of the elements, natural and biological phenomena (fire, water, soil, thunderstorms, dream, etc.), cataclysms and cosmic threats, spirits of nature.
H44 has 1 other sub-motifs
RelatedH44. A human enters into a relationship with a non-human being. When they part, the being tears apart (or intends to tear apart) their child. (Most of the data was collected by S.Y. Neklyudov).
H44a. Two characters, one associated with the sky or water, and the other with the earth or the world of spirits and humans, divide the child they have given birth to or the people they have created. Usually, the sky (water, spirit) takes the imperishable part, and the earth (human) takes the perishable part.
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| I119A | 97.82% | Creatures shake the earth, either upon learning that there are no longer any inhabitants on it, or to check whether they are still alive, or to show that they themselves are still there. |
| M29O1 | 95.28% | As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the monkey dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. |
| L44B | 95.28% | The blind and deaf (lame) began to live together, helping each other. After being mortally frightened or fighting, both (less often, one of them) got rid of their disabilities. |
| F77A | 95.18% | A huge penis serves as a bridge. |
| A2B | 95.15% | In addition to the current sun and/or moon, other suns and moons shone in the sky, which were then destroyed. See motif A2A. |
| A46 | 95.13% | The sun and moon (Rigveda: only the sun) emerge from the eyes of an anthropomorphic creature. |
| I8H | 95.07% | The earth is supported by a man and a woman in the underworld. |
| K33A3 | 95.07% | A woman, turned into a turtle because of her rival's intrigues, tries to establish contact with her children or husband. |
| A46A | 94.82% | The sun and moon (Rigveda: only the sun) are associated with the eyes of an anthropomorphic being (the motif of their emergence from the eyes of this being may be absent). |
| E9B | 94.61% | Before meeting the hero, his beloved (wife, helper) has the image of an elephant (elephant tusk). |
See the 100 most similar distributions →
Map of motif dispersal
DistributionDrag the map to pan, use the scroll wheel to zoom — choose a texture or projection below
Traditions
6 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 6 traditions: Malagasy, Northern Luzon: Apayao, Bontoc, Nabaloi (Ibaloi), Ifugao, Igorot (highland people, not specified), Ilocan, Ilongot, Isneg, Kalinga, Kankanay, Tingian (Tinggian, Bilongan Itneg); Ibanag, Kasiguran Agta, Keley-i Kallahan, Central Taiwan: Bunun (Vonum), La'arua, Tsou, Kanabu, Kanakanabu, Indian literary tradition (Vedic, Brahman, Purana, Indian Buddhism, Hinduism, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchtantra, Jatakas); iconography of Hindu temples, Kirati (Kiranti): Rai (incl Thulung), Limbu, Newar, Maldives
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