Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
I81A1 — Crab and snake.
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
OverviewThe struggle between the crab and the snake (eel) determines the features of the relief of a particular area or has cosmic proportions.
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.
I81 has 3 other sub-motifs
RelatedI81. Earthly waters fall into the abyss.
I81a. The giant crab causes earthquakes or floods, closes or can close the water outlet.
I81a1. The struggle between the crab and the snake (eel) determines the features of the relief of a particular area or has cosmic proportions.
I81b. During high tide, a certain creature spews seawater or displaces it with its body, and during low tide, it swallows the water or makes room for it (or it is simply reported that the water is either spewed or recedes).
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| K47D | 99.85% | A girl gives herself to a dog because it fulfils the condition of marriage set by her or her father for her future husband. See motif K47A. |
| M29O1 | 99.20% | As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the monkey dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. |
| A46A | 98.45% | 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). |
| A46 | 98.27% | The sun and moon (Rigveda: only the sun) emerge from the eyes of an anthropomorphic creature. |
| F45A | 98.08% | A woman or female animal conceives by deliberately exposing her genitals to the wind. |
| L85B | 97.78% | A pregnant woman curses the Sun, Rain or another powerful character. Because of this, the child is born physically disabled. He possesses magical powers and usually acquires a normal body. |
| I8H | 97.62% | The earth is supported by a man and a woman in the underworld. |
| K33A3 | 97.62% | A woman, turned into a turtle because of her rival's intrigues, tries to establish contact with her children or husband. |
| B3D | 96.68% | The earth is obtained by a worm; it arises from worm excrement, extracted from the worm. |
| J47B | 96.61% | When a character runs away from a pursuer, a strong rope (chain, etc.) is lowered (thrown) to him. A rotten rope is lowered to the pursuer, it breaks, and the pursuer crashes (drowns). |
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
4 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 4 traditions: Batak (Toba, Dairi), Northern Luzon: Apayao, Bontoc, Nabaloi (Ibaloi), Ifugao, Igorot (highland people, not specified), Ilocan, Ilongot, Isneg, Kalinga, Kankanay, Tingian (Tinggian, Bilongan Itneg); Ibanag, Kasiguran Agta, Keley-i Kallahan, Central Taiwan: Bunun (Vonum), La'arua, Tsou, Kanabu, Kanakanabu, Japan
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