Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
J21 — Birth from eggs.
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
OverviewGods, ancestors of humans, and founders of dynasties are born from eggs.
Berezkin category: Avenger heroes: The amerinday cycle
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part of group 5, Origin of human beings, ethnic groups, etiology of human anatomy, strange body configuration, ways of behavior, marriages before the establishment of the present norms.
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| C7 | 97.86% | Initially or after the flood, an earthen or stone barrier, the body of a character or creature prevents the flow of water. Later, this barrier is removed or destroyed. |
| G12A | 95.09% | Cultivated plants arise from drops of blood or flow like blood from cuts on the body of a human or animal. |
| I8G | 95.01% | A single giant holds up the earth or the sky. |
| I20C | 94.10% | Dwarves live in an underground world that partly resembles the earthly world. If dwarves and humans meet, it happens underground. |
| B2E | 94.00% | The Earth or the world as a whole is a male character (alone or alongside a female character). |
| I8E1 | 93.13% | The sky or earth is supported by four objects or beings located at the four cardinal points (either four groups of beings, or four at the corners and a fifth in the centre). Th A841. See motifs 8A, 8D. |
| I85C1 | 92.98% | In the sky there is a vessel, a box or an indescribable container for storing rain (rain clouds). |
| F23 | 92.88% | Blood spilled during sexual intercourse or artificial defloration at the time of creation is the reason why menstruation occurs to this day. |
| I7 | 92.77% | The reptile produces rain and thunderstorms. |
| A32A | 92.35% | The figure or imprint of a rabbit or hare is visible on the lunar disc. |
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
62 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 62 traditions: Ngbakka, Mbum (incl Mbai), Mundang, Fali, Tupuri, Maya (=Bali), Nyong, Fang (Pangwe), Eton, Bafia, Batanga, Benga, Bube (Bubi), Buheba, Yaunde (Ewondo), Yebekolo, Koko, Bulu, Beti (Beti-Bulu), Sekiani, Eghap, Northern Gur (Oti-Volta): Mamprussi, Dagomba, Dagari (Dagara; incl Lodaga), Bassari, Mosi, Nankanse, Konkomba, Moba; Ditammari, Nyende, Bulsa (pl Builsa, Bulo), Batak (Toba, Dairi), Bidayuh (incl. Maloh), Iban (Sea Dayak), Sakarram; Brunei, Southern Taiwan: Rukai, Paiwan, Puyuma, Saaroa, Ketangalan, Northern Taiwan: Atayal (Tayal; Taruko (Toda, Taokas, Torok, Taroko), Pazeh, Sedeq (Sediq, Seedeq, Sazek), Saisiyat (Saixia), Karen, Pa-O, Padaung, Kayah, Mon, Palaung (De Ang, Deang), Santali, Turi, Mahli, Northern Munda of Kharwar branch: Birhor, Ho, Mundari, Kol, Asur (including Agaria, Kol, Birjhia), Bhumij, Chin-Naga: Ao, Mao, Sema, Zeme, Kolren, Kom, Lhota, Rengma, Angami, Kabui, Tangkhul, Koirenf, Garo (Atchik), Kachari (Bodo, incl. Lalung), Dimasa, Tripuri, Riang (of Tripura), Khami, Riga, Mori, Kuki, Chiru, Falam (Hallam), Chin (Meitei =Manipuri, Khami, =Kumi), Lakher, Mizo (Lushei), Anal, Pawi (Lai), Purum, Koireng, Milhiem, Kolhen, Mru, Mikir (Karbi), Miao (Hmong) and Yao of Southern China, Li , Koreans, Slovakians, Slovaks, Lithuanians, Western Sami, Eastern Sami (including Skolts), Western Ukrainians, Bashkirs, Mari (Cheremis), Mordvins, Komi (Zyrians and Permyaks), Central Yakuts (Sakha), Japanese folklore outside of Ryukyu, Lkungen (Straits; including Samish, Songish, Sooke, Lummi), Klallam, Lower Chinook (Chinook proper), Yana, Chumash, Luiseño, Juaneño, Aztec; Aztec and Teotihuacan iconography, Popoloca; Tlapanec, Tepehua, Totonac, Gulf Nahuatl, Chontal, Chinantec, Mazatec, Mixtec, Trique, Cuicatec; Amuzgo, Yucatec, Itza, Sicuani, Makiritare (Yecuana), Trio, Wayana, Aparai, Kofan, Shuar, Achuar (Shiwiar), Aguaruna, Huambiza, Chayahuita , Karijona, Barasana, Taibano, Macuna, Letuama, Tanimuca, Ufaina, Yahuna, Andoque, Amahuaca, Cashinahua, Sharanahua, Yaminahua, Yawanahua, Capanahua), Harákmbet (=Mashco), Chacobo, Rikbaktsa, Central Tibetans (Yu Tsang, incl. Sikkim Tibetans, Tichurong of NW Nepal), Eastern Ukrainians, Northern Ukrainians
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