Berezkin Analytical Catalogue · Motif
N28D — Sea cover
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
OverviewIn a list of things that do not exist in the world, a lid or covering for the sea, ocean or river are mentioned
Berezkin category: Fabulous and epic formulas
This is of motif type Adventures and tricks and is part of group 13, Formulae.
N28 has 7 other sub-motifs
RelatedN28a. The roots (belt) of mountains or stones are mentioned in myths, riddles, spells, and songs as something that does not really exist.
N28b. In a list of things that do not exist in the world, a ladder or stairway to the sky (variant: a ladder in the sky) is mentioned
N28c. In a list of things that do not exist in the world, a pillar of the sky is mentioned
N28d. In a list of things that do not exist in the world, a lid or covering for the sea, ocean or river are mentioned
N28e. In a list of things that do not exist in the world, a bridge across the sea, ocean or lake is mentioned
N28f. It is said that water has no boughs or twigs
N28g. In a list of things that do not exist in the world, a gall of horse or ass is mentioned
N28h. In a list of things that do not exist in the world, horns of the horse are mentioned
Top 10 motifs with similar dispersal patterns
Phylogeny| Motif | Similarity | Motif summary |
|---|---|---|
| I46C | 97.59% | The rainbow is a rope to which cattle are tied. |
| K76F | 96.70% | A young man with the appearance of a calf marries and then turns into a handsome man. |
| L37B2 | 95.62% | From the conversation of snakes or crows, a person learns the cause of another's illness: a snake has crawled inside him. The person expels the snake and the sick person recovers. |
| K90 | 94.79% | A person sees two opposing monsters or animals (usually of contrasting colours: red and black, black and white) and helps one of them, or one of the combatants helps the person. (Cf. ATU 156B, 738). |
| I82H | 93.58% | The name of Venus sounds like Cholpan, Cholbon, Tsolmon, etc. (Δol- 'to sparkle, to shine' [VΓ‘mbΓ©ri 1879: 155]). |
| N28B | 92.97% | In a list of things that do not exist in the world, a ladder or stairway to the sky (variant: a ladder in the sky) is mentioned |
| N28H | 92.58% | In a list of things that do not exist in the world, horns of the horse are mentioned |
| M78F | 92.02% | When a woman falls asleep, a joker (usually a tiny boy) places an embryo or the entrails of an animal or something similar next to her to make the woman herself or others think she has a miscarriage or that her viscera has fallen out. |
| L65A | 91.94% | A daughter is born, or people find a girl; she is a monster or turns into a monster and devours everyone. Her brother escapes (usually leaves, marries, returns), and she pursues him unsuccessfully. |
| K60C | 91.77% | The stubborn wife of a worthy man goes on a date with a demon or a servant. He beats her, but she patiently endures her lover's beatings. |
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
6 recordedThis motif has been recorded in 6 traditions: Kashmiri, Marathi (incl. Bhamta; incl. Mumbai area), Laks, Anatolia Turks, Buryats: Western (cis Baikal), Buryats: Eastern (trans Baikal), i.e. Khori
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