Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
L38 — The demon trap.
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
OverviewThe demon sets a trap, and people fall into it. Cf. motif K64A.
Berezkin category: Adventures: Monsters and evil spirits
This is of motif type Adventures and tricks and is part of group 10, Adventures.
L38 has 1 other sub-motifs
RelatedL38. The demon sets a trap, and people fall into it. Cf. motif K64A.
L38a. The character sticks to an object, usually by successively sticking individual parts of their body to it. The object is either a trap for a demonic creature or is itself a creature of a non-human nature. Cf. motif M182 (tar doll), probably brought to the New World after Columbus from Africa.
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| B42K | 86.62% | In stories about cosmic hunting, the object of pursuit or the hunters are identified with the Pleiades. See motif B42. |
| H28C | 86.32% | The character creates blood-sucking insects to influence the behaviour of a mating partner. |
| L27 | 86.22% | Sisters or friends encounter a demon. One or both do not understand the danger. One is eaten or maimed, the other escapes. |
| A2D | 85.06% | Other suns illuminate other levels of the universe or will shine sequentially in the future. |
| J54 | 80.75% | The heroes of the narrative exterminate animals or demons of a certain species. This species could have disappeared altogether if one or more individuals (often a pregnant female) had not been saved. {This motif does not include aetiological endings, according to which the current creatures of a certain species originate from a dismembered original creature}. |
| H28 | 80.33% | A creature that has been killed and destroyed (often burned) (usually a cannibal, a ferocious animal, or a powerful shaman) turns into stinging insects or other harmful, unpleasant, or dangerous creatures. |
| I22F | 78.32% | The character must pass small objects (trees, logs, blades) that constantly collide and diverge, fall and rise. |
| L18 | 77.51% | A bird with two or more heads in descriptions or images. |
| B12 | 76.84% | The riverbed follows the path of a snake, fish, dragon, or crab; the river arises from parts of the snake's body; the river is a snake. |
| I81 | 76.58% | Earthly waters fall into the abyss. |
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
56 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 56 traditions: Western Sami, Eastern Sami (including Skolts), Eastern Khanty (Ostyaks), Nenets, Nganasans, Southern Selkups, Northern Selkups, Kets, Central Yakuts (Sakha), Tungus (Evenki): Baikal region, Evenks, Tungus (Evenki) of China (Solon, Birar, Oroqen, Manegir), Evenks, Tungus (Evenki): Russian Far East, Evenks, Oroch, Nanai, Nivkh, Reindeer Koryak, Maritime Koryak (Alyutor), Forest (Upper Kolyma) Yukaghir, Chukchi, Central Yupik, Chipewyan, Tsetsaut, Athna, Upper Kuskokwim (Kolchan), Tanana, Gwich'in (Kuchin, Loucheux), Bering Strait Inupiat (incl. King Island), North Alaskan Inupiat, Eyak, Haida, Lkungen (Straits; including Samish, Songish, Sooke, Lummi), Klallam, Kogi (Cagaba), Sanha, Creols of Aritama Valley, Yupa (Yukpa), Sicuani, Makiritare (Yecuana), Wapishana (incl Ataroi); Mapidian; Taruma, Pemon: Arekuna (incl. Kamarakoto), Taulipang (Taurepan), Wayapi, Emerillon, Mai Huna (Coto, Orejon), Chayahuita , Karijona, Letuama, Tanimuca, Ufaina, Yahuna, Kabiyari, Yukuna (Yucuna), Ticuna (Tucuna), Juruna, Xipaya, Shipibo, Conibo, Setebo, Amahuaca, Cashinahua, Sharanahua, Yaminahua, Yawanahua, Capanahua), Yuracare, Mundurucu, Curuaia, Mehinaku, Waura, Yaulapiti, Rikbaktsa, Paresi, Caraja, Caduveo, Mbaya, Biloxi
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