A2B — The extra suns are extinguished.

In addition to the current sun and/or moon, other suns and moons shone in the sky, which were then destroyed. See motif A2A.

Berezkin category: The Sun and Moon

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

A2.  There was a time when several, i.e. more than two, suns shone in the sky at the same time.
A2a.  The world was or will be (almost) burned when several suns lit up or will light up simultaneously; or destructive heat (or light) once emanated from one sun.
A2a1.  At first, the moon was as bright and hot as the sun.
A2b.  In addition to the current sun and/or moon, other suns and moons shone in the sky, which were then destroyed. See motif A2A.
A2b1.  Two or more suns shine in the sky. When the extra ones are destroyed, there is a danger that the last one will be destroyed along with them and darkness will ensue.
A2c.  The extra suns that existed in the past or may appear in the future are the children of the Sun-father. See motif A2A.
A2c1.  The Sun is going to have children. One of the animals warns that if the Sun has children, the world will burn. The Sun has to (refuse marriage and) remain childless.
A2c2.  The catastrophe threatening the earth is associated with the appearance of not only several suns, but also several moons.
A2c3.  In extraordinary circumstances, the moon or sun are not round, but have corners and edges.
A2d.  Other suns illuminate other levels of the universe or will shine sequentially in the future.
A2e.  The sun and/or moon – severed heads of anthropomorphic beings.
A2F.  Suns grow on tree branches.
A2G.  At different times throughout the day, different suns shine in the sky.

This motif has been recorded in 83 traditions: Nuba, Yao, Makua, Aka, Baka (Badjue) and other Western (Bantu speaking) Pygmies, Tiv, Bamum (Bamun), Mungaka (Mgaka, Bali), Beba, Anaguta, Bete (Mbete, Karang), Ekoi, Nyang, Vute (Wute), Jukun, Chamba, Bamileke, Kwotto, Kirri; Denya (Nyang), Yoruba; incl Ife), Nupe, Bini (Edo), Engenni, Chamba, Dakka, Kukuruku, Fon, Ewe, Mandjak, Mankanya, Pepel, Balant, Felupe, Diola (Jola), Ontong Java, Nukumanu, Takuu, Nukuria, Alor, Solor, Wetar, Atauru, Toraja (Toradja), To Mori, Baree (=Eastern Toraja), Bali, Lombok, Batak (Toba, Dairi), Mentawai, Dusun, Murut, Kelabit, Tombonuwo, Bajau, Tidong, Central islands and Bikol: Vizaya, Mansaká, Bikol, Mangyan, Panayan, Sulod, Cebuano (Cebu), Capiz, Romblomanon, Manuyu, Central Taiwan: Bunun (Vonum), La'arua, Tsou, Kanabu, Kanakanabu, Northern Taiwan: Atayal (Tayal; Taruko (Toda, Taokas, Torok, Taroko), Pazeh, Sedeq (Sediq, Seedeq, Sazek), Saisiyat (Saixia), Karen, Pa-O, Padaung, Kayah, Thai of Vietnam, Tai Lue, Khao (Kho, Tai Don, White Tai), Tai Dam (Black Tai), Nung; Zhuang, Buyi; Shui, Stieng, Chrau, Sre (Koho), Maa, Mnong, Wa (incl Kawa), Bulang, Semang, Senoi, Santali, Turi, Mahli, Northern Munda of Kharwar branch: Birhor, Ho, Mundari, Kol, Asur (including Agaria, Kol, Birjhia), Bhumij, Eastern Arunachal Pradesh: Abor (incl Minyong, Shimong, Padam, Pasi, Panggi), Apa Tani (Apatani), Bori, Bugun, Dafla (=Nyishi, Nisi, Nishing, incl Tagin), Gallong (=Galo, Adi), Mishmi, SW Arunachal Pradesh: Sherdukpen, Tawang (Monpas), Aka (Hrusso), Miji, Rawang, Dulong; Anong, Drung, Oraon (Kurukh), Konds (Khonds; language is Kui, incl Kuttia, Konda-Dora), Koya; Pengo, Nepali; Tharu, Miao (Hmong) and Yao of Southern China, Meo (Hmong) of Thailand, Laos and Northern Vietnam, Li , Lahu, Kucong, Nosu, Nisu, Nusu, Sani, Jino, Lepcha, Kirati (Kiranti): Rai (incl Thulung), Limbu, Newar, Bulgarians, Balkarians, Macedonians, Balkarians, Croatians, Croats; Italians of Dalmatia (if the motif is absent among other Italians), Lithuanians, Byelarusians, Belarusians, Bashkirs, Buryats: Western (cis Baikal), Oirats (incl Torgouts, Derbets, Oilots), Mongols (Khalkha), Darkhad, Tuvinians of Tuva, Tuvans, Southern Altai: Altai proper (Altai-Kiji), Telengit, Altaians, Northern Altai: Chelkan, Kumanda, Tubalar, Altaians, Tungus (Evenki): Baikal region, Evenks, Tungus (Evenki) of China (Solon, Birar, Oroqen, Manegir), Evenks, Tungus (Evenki): Russian Far East, Evenks, Western Tungus (Evenki), Western Siberia Tungus (Evenki): Sym River, Ket River, Udeghe, Oroch, Nanai, Negidal, Nivkh, Manchu, Han, Oregon Athabaskans: Lower Umpqua, Tututni (incl Joshua), Upper Coquille, Galice, Tolowa, Shasta; Chimariko, Klamath, Modoc, Hopi, Aztec; Aztec and Teotihuacan iconography, Siona, Secoya, Coreguaje, Harákmbet (=Mashco), Mende, Loma, Gbunde (Gbandi, Bandi), Central Tibetans (Yu Tsang, incl. Sikkim Tibetans, Tichurong of NW Nepal), Lisu, Lolo (incl. Bai), Achang, Yi, Axi, Nasu, Jino, Taungyo, Buryats: Eastern (trans Baikal), i.e. Khori, Dong, Maonan, Ilimpii Tungus/Evenki, Yerbogachen Tungus/Evenki, Tungus/Evenki of Nercha - Chita area, Bosnians, Montenegro, Nepal, China, Japan, Russian Federation