Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
A2B1 — The Last Sun.
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 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.
Berezkin category: The Sun and Moon
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part of group 1, Sun and Moon.
A2 has 12 other sub-motifs
RelatedA2. 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 â severed heads of anthropomorphic beings.
A2F. Suns grow on tree branches.
A2G. At different times throughout the day, different suns shine in the sky.
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| M167A | 99.93% | A strong predator mistakes an unfamiliar word for the name of a creature that is stronger than him and flees. |
| K136D | 99.83% | A young man receives two flutes (pipes, horns) from a cow (buffalo), which produce different effects when played (joy and sorrow, prosperity and a call for help, etc.). |
| K73A3 | 99.83% | The midwife's ill-wishers replace the baby with a statue or doll (telling the father that his wife has given birth to a doll). |
| M21B | 99.83% | The character consistently harms others in such a way that each person who has been deceived is used as a tool to harm the next. |
| M106D | 99.66% | By saying that his name is "Son-in-law" ("Husband," "Uncle," etc.), the character deceives others. The victims find no sympathy, since as a relative he has the right to behave in this manner. |
| A8 | 99.65% | The sun, moon and stars â three brothers or three sisters. |
| B119 | 99.65% | A woman of non-human nature agrees to live with a man, but leaves him upon learning of his real or imagined infidelity. |
| B121 | 99.65% | A small bird carries pebbles and sticks, trying to fill the sea. |
| B49A | 99.65% | Powerful animals could have many cubs, but now they give birth to only one every few years. |
| B6A | 99.65% | The first woman gives birth to several eggs. One or two of them remain unchanged for a long time and are thrown into the river, believing them to be spoiled. However, it is precisely from these eggs that characters of high status emerge (or should have emerged). |
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
24 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 24 traditions: Stieng, Chrau, Sre (Koho), Maa, Mnong, Wa (incl Kawa), Bulang, 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, Rawang, Dulong; Anong, Drung, Kachin (Singpho), Chak, Miao (Hmong) and Yao of Southern China, Meo (Hmong) of Thailand, Laos and Northern Vietnam, Lahu, Kucong, Nosu, Nisu, Nusu, Sani, Jino, Lepcha, Kirati (Kiranti): Rai (incl Thulung), Limbu, Newar, 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, Sauk (Sak, Mesquakie), Fox, Kickapoo, Central Tibetans (Yu Tsang, incl. Sikkim Tibetans, Tichurong of NW Nepal), Lisu, Lolo (incl. Bai), Achang, Yi, Axi, Nasu, Jino, Taungyo, Hani, Akha, Buryats: Eastern (trans Baikal), i.e. Khori, China
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