Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
L84 — Unsuitable axes.
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 character attempts to chop down a tree with an axe made of obviously unsuitable material. Cf. motif K27g5.
Berezkin category: Adventures: Monsters and evil spirits
This is of motif type Adventures and tricks and is part of group 10, Adventures.
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| I37G | 97.09% | A tree mushroom is a step, a platform; an object that helps or hinders movement; provides shelter or refuge. See motif I37. |
| F34 | 94.47% | A woman takes a large land animal as her lover. Her husband, brother or (adopted) children kill or maim the lover and (sometimes) the woman herself. Sometimes there is mention of a group of women and their husbands. (Unlike motif K102, "The Demon's Mistress," the lover is not dangerous to the hero and plays a passive role, and the woman, if she becomes hostile and dangerous, does so only after the lover's death. Unlike motif K76, the woman and her husband/lover of non-human nature are clearly evaluated negatively). |
| I70 | 94.15% | Trees or reeds grow on the back or head of a reptile. |
| L89 | 93.99% | One person, wishing to harm another, secretly gives him certain food to eat or a certain object to use. As a result, the other person dies (usually undergoing a metamorphosis). Cf. motif K82a. |
| M73A | 93.85% | Two (animal) persons compare their feces (with different purpose). One of them gets to exchange them |
| K19A | 91.20% | A man marries a star woman. |
| M29L | 91.09% | See the motives in square brackets. |
| M5 | 90.79% | Once in a situation where his life depends on the will of a demon or animal, the hero feels like insulting or hitting him. See M1 motif. |
| K27I | 90.78% | Task: to drain a large body of water. |
| E5D | 90.00% | The first people to arrive on earth and settle within a limited space are threatened by a predator or monster. |
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
16 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 16 traditions: Geez, Tigrai, Tigre, Ainu, Menominee, Osage, Iowa, Pawnee, Sicuani, Warao, Waiwai, Trio, Colorado (Tsachila), Napo (Quijo), Kanelo (“Jungle Kechua”), Shuar, Achuar (Shiwiar), Amahuaca, Cashinahua, Sharanahua, Yaminahua, Yawanahua, Capanahua), Rikbaktsa, Caraja
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