The Mythology and Folklore Database
A12B - The frog swallows the sun.
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Source Data from Berezkin's Analytics Catalogue, if using this data please acknowledge and link to it here:
Ю.Е. Березкин, Е.Н. Дувакин. Тематическая классификация и распределение фольклорно-мифологических мотивов по ареалам. Аналитический каталог.
Summary of Motif
During an eclipse or at sunset (marked *), the luminaries are swallowed by a toad or frog.Berezkin category: The Sun and Moon
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part group 1, Sun and Moon
A12 has 8 other sub-motifsA12. A creature or creatures regularly (sunrise and sunset, winter and summer, night and day, phases of the moon) or occasionally (eclipses, eschatological catastrophes) attack the luminaries or block their light. A12a. During an eclipse or under other circumstances, predators attack the luminaries: wolves, bears, jaguars, pumas, dogs, foxes, raccoons. See motif A12. A12b. During an eclipse or at sunset (marked *), the luminaries are swallowed by a toad or frog. A12c. Eclipses of the sun, moon or their setting (marked*) are caused by a snake, lizard, dragon, fish or crocodile; these creatures attack the luminaries now or attacked them at the beginning of time. See motif A12. A12d. Birds attack the sun or moon during an eclipse (covering them with their wings) or (*) cover the sun during sunrise or sunset. See motif A12. A12e. The spider attacks the sun or moon (usually causing lunar eclipses). A12f. The stars fade because the moneylender demands that they repay their debt. A12g. The character tries to eclipse the moon for telling on him. A12H. Eclipses of the sun or moon are caused by a woman's attack. Click here if would you like to see a distrbution map combining all of A12's motifs? |
Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns
| Motif | Similarity | Motif Summary |
|---|---|---|
| A37 | 95.93% | The character deliberately and by resorting to special means (usually shooting with a bow) strikes the sun or several suns or attempts to do so. |
| B6 | 95.37% | The first or only remaining man and woman move towards each other, going around a mountain, a pole or otherwise following a circle from opposite sides, and when they meet, they get married. |
| H24G | 94.28% | A woman returned from the other world or obtained there disappears when a man opens the vessel in which she is kept prematurely. |
| A2C2 | 92.08% | The catastrophe threatening the earth is associated with the appearance of not only several suns, but also several moons. |
| A37A | 91.62% | A small animal (marmot, rabbit, mole, toad, frog, earthworm) or a person who turns into such an animal tries to hit the heavenly body with arrows or helps the archer. Since then, this animal has been hiding in burrows and in water. |
| B28C | 91.41% | Lice grab a person and drag him into the sea. |
| F18D | 91.31% | Female genitals were enormous in size. |
| F77A | 90.97% | A huge penis serves as a bridge. |
| A4B | 90.66% | The sun decided to walk across the sky during the day because it is afraid of the night. |
| I73 | 90.66% | Stars (rarely suns and moons) – sparks, hot coals. |
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Map of Motif Dispersal
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This motif has been recorded in 14 traditions: Thai of Vietnam, Tai Lue, Khao (Kho, Tai Don, White Tai), Tai Dam (Black Tai), Nung; Zhuang, Buyi; Shui, Shan, Ahom, Khampti, Khasi, Eastern Arunachal Pradesh: Abor (incl Minyong, Shimong, Padam, Pasi, Panggi), Apa Tani (Apatani), Bori, Bugun, Dafla (=Nyishi, Nisi, Nishing, incl Tagin), Gallong (=Galo, Adi), Mishmi, Kachin (Singpho), Chak, Bengali, Lahu, Kucong, Nosu, Nisu, Nusu, Sani, Jino, Yuchi, Tillamook, Takelma, Maidu, Nisenan, Konkov, Atsugewi, Upper Chinook: Wasco, Wishram, Clackamas, Kathlamet, Kolam