A22 — Into the sky from the bonfire.

One or two people fall into fire or boiling water and ascend to the sky, turning into the sun and/or the moon.

Berezkin category: The Sun and Moon

This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part of group 1, Sun and Moon.

A22.  One or two people fall into fire or boiling water and ascend to the sky, turning into the sun and/or the moon.
A22a.  Two characters burn; one turns into the present sun, and the other into a less significant celestial object. See motif A22.
A22b.  The sun and its companion burn up. The companion burns in a less intense fire (is thrown into the ashes, etc.); therefore, the moon (or star) is cold. See motif A22.
A22c.  In order for the sun to rise, move to the right distance from the earth, or follow its heavenly path, a human being must be sacrificed.
A22d.  The burned character turns into a constellation or a dark spot on the Milky Way.

This motif has been recorded in 33 traditions: Ngbakka, Mbum (incl Mbai), Mundang, Fali, Tupuri, Maya (=Bali), Nyong, Aka, Baka (Badjue) and other Western (Bantu speaking) Pygmies, Arnhem Land: Enindhilyagwa (Groote Eilandt), KuTiwi, Yulengor, Mara, Oenpelli, Murngin, Roper River, Maung, Murinbata, Murngin (Duwal), Millingimbi, Goulburn Island, Ngulugwongga, Yirrkalla, Voctoria River Downs, Alawa, Anu, Kunwinjku, Western Australia: Walmanjeri, Njolnjol (Njulnjul, Nyul-Nyul), Worora, Kariara (Karierra), Karadjari (Karadjeri, Garadjari), Djaberdjaber (Djaberadjabera), Ngarluma, Wiilman (Wheelman), Bibbulmum (Pebelman), Burong (Panaka), Trans-New Guinea and unclassified Papuan groups of Irian Jaya: Mejprat, Arandai-Bintuni, Inanwatan-Berau, Papua of Gelvink (Cenderawasih) Bay, Kamoró, Marind Anim, Sawi, Mafore; Korowai; Kwerba; Momina, Eipo, Yale, Awyu, Central Vanuatu: Espiritu Santo, Araki, Aore, Maewo, Malekula, Vao, Efate (Vate), Nguna, Mae, Ambrim, Pentecost, Oba (=Aoba, East Ambae, Lepers'), Omba, Tats, Tanana, Huichol, Aztec; Aztec and Teotihuacan iconography, Popoloca; Tlapanec, Pame, Jonaz (Chichimeca-Jonaz), Mazahua, Otomi, Tepehua, Totonac, Huastec (Teenek), Gulf Nahuatl, Kekchi; Mopan, Paya (Pech), Sumu, Misquito, Guaymi, Bocota, Dorasque; XVI century data on Western Panama, Yupa (Yukpa), Sicuani, Siona, Secoya, Coreguaje, Mai Huna (Coto, Orejon), Yagua, Ticuna (Tucuna), Tacana, Tupari, Makurap, Sakirap, Ajuru (Wayoro), Sanapana, Lengua (incl Angaite), Ayoreo, Selknam, Yamana (Yaghan), Alacaluf, Manao, Katawishi (Teffe lake); groups of uncertain affiliation mostly from Rio Jamunda, China, Halkomelem (Snaymuk)