Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif

A46 — The sun and moon arise from the eyes of a creature.

39 Myths, legends and folktales

39 Unique narratives for motif A46

20 Cultures & traditions where A46 is told

1 Sub-motifs of motif A46

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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

Overview

The sun and moon (Rigveda: only the sun) emerge from the eyes of an anthropomorphic creature.

Berezkin category: The Sun and Moon

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

A46 has 1 other sub-motifs

A46. The sun and moon (Rigveda: only the sun) emerge from the eyes of an anthropomorphic creature.
A46a. 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).

🌐 See a combined distribution map for all of A46’s motifs

Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns

Phylogeny

Motif	Similarity	Motif summary
I8H	99.76%	The earth is supported by a man and a woman in the underworld.
K33A3	99.76%	A woman, turned into a turtle because of her rival's intrigues, tries to establish contact with her children or husband.
A46A	99.52%	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).
K27ZZ2	99.45%	Several wives of one man (several sisters) go blind – the older ones in both eyes, and the younger one in one eye.
A2	99.31%	There was a time when several, i.e. more than two, suns shone in the sky at the same time.
B3D	99.24%	The earth is obtained by a worm; it arises from worm excrement, extracted from the worm.
M152D	99.11%	The elephant and the tiger (lion) engage in combat (usually competing to see who can roar louder). The tiger wins and is about to eat the elephant, but a small animal saves it.
M29O1	98.96%	As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the monkey dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets.
F45A	98.86%	A woman or female animal conceives by deliberately exposing her genitals to the wind.
M152E	98.81%	A tiger (lion) and another animal compete to see whose roar is louder. The tiger roars louder, but ultimately loses.

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Map of motif dispersal

Distribution

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Traditions

20 recorded

This motif has been recorded in 20 traditions: Yao, Makua, Tiv, Bamum (Bamun), Mungaka (Mgaka, Bali), Beba, Anaguta, Bete (Mbete, Karang), Ekoi, Nyang, Vute (Wute), Jukun, Chamba, Bamileke, Kwotto, Kirri; Denya (Nyang), Mangareva, Gilbert Islands, Nauru, Banaba (Ocean island), Chamorro (Guam and other Marianas), Bali, Lombok, Simeulue, Nias, Thai of Vietnam, Tai Lue, Khao (Kho, Tai Don, White Tai), Tai Dam (Black Tai), Nung; Zhuang, Buyi; Shui, Tjam, Ede, Jörai (Jarai), Juang, 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, Maria, Muria, and other South-Central Dravidians: Binjhwar, Bacop, Bhattra, Bom, Jhoria (=Jhodia), Gadaba (in Koraput, neighbors of Munda-speaking Gadaba), Duruwa (Parji), Mehtar; Pardhan, Indian literary tradition (Vedic, Brahman, Purana, Indian Buddhism, Hinduism, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchtantra, Jatakas); iconography of Hindu temples, Miao (Hmong) and Yao of Southern China, Kalmyk, Manchu, Central Tibetans (Yu Tsang, incl. Sikkim Tibetans, Tichurong of NW Nepal), Lisu, Lolo (incl. Bai), Achang, Yi, Axi, Nasu, Jino, Taungyo, China, Japan

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How to cite: Fielder-White, J. (2026). The Folklore Database. https://folkloredatabase.com

0009-0006-1672-4451
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