Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif

I43A — Cosmic serpent.

80 Myths, legends and folktales

80 Unique narratives for motif I43A

36 Cultures & traditions where I43A is told

1 Sub-motifs of motif I43A

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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

A giant reptile, serpent, fish, or chain of fish stretches across the earth and/or supports the sky. Usually associated with the Milky Way, sometimes with a rainbow.

Berezkin category: Supernatural objects, objects and creatures

This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part of group 3, Cosmogony, the earth and the sky, etiology of the elements, natural and biological phenomena (fire, water, soil, thunderstorms, dream, etc.), cataclysms and cosmic threats, spirits of nature.

I43 has 1 other sub-motifs

I43a. A giant reptile, serpent, fish, or chain of fish stretches across the earth and/or supports the sky. Usually associated with the Milky Way, sometimes with a rainbow.
I43b. The Milky Way is a reptile, fish or chain of fish.

🌐 See a combined distribution map for all of I43’s motifs

Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns

Phylogeny

Motif	Similarity	Motif summary
I43B	97.97%	The Milky Way is a reptile, fish or chain of fish.
F26	92.87%	The transfer of sacred musical instruments (horns, trumpets) from women to men is associated with the onset of menstruation in women.
M7	92.74%	The character goes to the lower world, to the sky, to the country on the horizon, etc. and waits for someone to give him a ride to his goal. Usually, some animals/birds or celestial bodies follow by, and the last (often the Sun or Month) delivers.
B55	92.56%	Fish grow on tree branches or tree leaves turn into fish.
G23A	92.02%	Parts of the body and organs of living beings are transformed into various plants (teeth into corn, testicles into yams, etc.).
M44B	91.00%	The character discovers that someone is stealing game or fish from his trap, mountain, etc. or ravages his garden, vegetable garden, field; he or his messengers wait and catch the thief. The kidnappers are women, or the aquatic animal is the kidnapper, but when caught, it gives the hero a woman.
I16	90.63%	Early humans have no mouth, anus, or genitals, and their women are unable to give birth.
G24	89.40%	The first seeds (shoots, tubers) of cultivated or important wild food plants and/or agronomic knowledge were brought from the sky (received from the gods).
B30B	89.24%	Animals arise from the remains of a killed person.
D5	89.11%	The original owner or inventor (but not the embodiment) of fire is a female character.

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Map of motif dispersal

Distribution

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Traditions

36 recorded

This motif has been recorded in 36 traditions: Akkad, Assyria, Babylonia, Malawi (incl Nyanja, Banyanja, Manganja), Tumbuka (incl Henga), Nsenga, Matengo, (Ba)Wenda, Southern Gur (Oti-Volta): Grusi, Kabiye, Kasena, Lyela (Lyele), Wala, Dyan, Papua-NewGuinea Highland Papuans:Trans New Guinea & unclassified:Chimbu,Gimi,KaugelHuli,Gadsup,Kuman,Kutubu,Foi (Foe),Kyaka,Kamano (Kafe),Mawatta,Kukukuku (=Anga,=Sambia;Manki,Nauti,Ejuti),Baruya,Kewa,Tembregak,Menya,Melpa,Wiru,Pondoma, Melanesians of the northern coast New Guinea, nearest off-shore islands and Huon Gulf (Morobe district): Watut, Bilbil (Bilibili), Jabim (incl Kai), Tami, Bukawac, Wogeo, Tumleo, Yakamul, Manam, Sissano, Sio, Maori, Moriori (Chatam Islands), Society Islands: Tahiti, Borabora, Raiatea, Tuamotu, incl Pukapuka (different from Pukapuka in Cook Islands), Vahitahi, Anaa, Hao, Fangatau, Mangareva, Hawaii, Easter Island, Gilbert Islands, Nauru, Banaba (Ocean island), Toraja (Toradja), To Mori, Baree (=Eastern Toraja), Batak (Toba, Dairi), Minangkabau; Kerinci, Simeulue, Nias, Bidayuh (incl. Maloh), Iban (Sea Dayak), Sakarram; Brunei, Mindanao and Sulu: Blaan (Bilaan), Bagobo, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Hiligáynon, Binukid, Magindaan (=Magindanao: main Muslim population), Mandaya, Mansaka, Manobo (Agusan, Ata, Dibabawon, Sarangani, Ilianen), Maranao, Samal, Subanon (=Subanun), Subanen, Tboli, Burmese, Intha, Semang, Senoi, Kachin (Singpho), Chak, Poles, Bulgarians, Balkarians, Armenians, Tuvinians of Tuva, Tuvans, Huichol, Tojolabal, Chuj, Jacalteca, Kanjobal, Mocho (incl Tuzantec), Acatec, Quiche, Achí, Cakchiquel, Pocomchi, Pocomam, Bribri, Cabecar, Terraba; Chiriqui (AD 800-1500) iconography, Guiana Kariña, Kaliña, Galibi, Urubu (Urubu-Kaapor), Mocovi; Kechua of Santiago del Estero with probable Guaikuruan substratum; Abipon, Sulu, Pamun, Samal, Taosug, Phoenicia, Malawi, China

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

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