Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
I88 — The multi-tailed beast.
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
OverviewDescribes a creature with several tails.
Berezkin category: Supernatural objects, objects and creatures
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part of group 8, Queer and monstrous beings, creatures, objects and loci, folk beliefs related to particular phenomena and objects.
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| L81D | 97.60% | Two cripples with different physical disabilities quarrel and fight, and as a result become whole and healthy. |
| C18A | 96.98% | The hidden sun is lured out by the rooster, or people believe that without the rooster's crow, the sun will not rise. |
| E9B | 96.84% | Before meeting the hero, his beloved (wife, helper) has the image of an elephant (elephant tusk). |
| F28A1 | 96.61% | The living penis is a dangerous creature that attacks people. |
| M167 | 96.42% | In the dark, a person mistakes a tiger (lion, demon) for another person or a domestic animal (bull, ox). |
| F97A5 | 95.38% | Being responsible for breaking food tabou by humans, snake lost its limbs as a punishment |
| H36G1 | 95.30% | When a bull (ox, cow) is ordered to convey certain instructions to people, he confuses them or deliberately distorts them. |
| A4A | 95.17% | So that people do not look at it, the Sun blinds their immodest eyes (usually with needles, which are its rays). |
| I119A | 95.12% | Creatures shake the earth, either upon learning that there are no longer any inhabitants on it, or to check whether they are still alive, or to show that they themselves are still there. |
| A2B | 94.41% | In addition to the current sun and/or moon, other suns and moons shone in the sky, which were then destroyed. See motif A2A. |
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
12 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 12 traditions: Akkad, Assyria, Babylonia, Swahili, Midjikenda (incl Giryama), Nyika, Duruma; Ngindo, Kiluguru and other Islamic groups of the Eastern Coast of Africa, Sakata, Biu-Mandara: Margi, Kilba, Bura, Kera, Karekare (Kerri-Kerri), Bachama, Zulgo, Giziga, Hdi, Kapsiki, Mandara (incl Mukulehe, Matakam), Mofu (Mofu-Gudur), Somrai (Sibine, Shibha), Yoruba; incl Ife), Nupe, Bini (Edo), Engenni, Chamba, Dakka, Kukuruku, Karen, Pa-O, Padaung, Kayah, Thai of Vietnam, Tai Lue, Khao (Kho, Tai Don, White Tai), Tai Dam (Black Tai), Nung; Zhuang, Buyi; Shui, Shan, Ahom, Khampti, Viet, Muong, Tats, Sauk (Sak, Mesquakie), Fox, Kickapoo, Hopi
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How to cite: Fielder-White, J. (2026). The Folklore Database. https://folkloredatabase.com
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