The Mythology and Folklore Database
B1A - Three worlds: division of the universe.
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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
Anthropomorphic characters agree to divide the tiers of the universe among themselves – heaven, earth and the underworld.Berezkin category: The Origins of the Characteristics of the environment
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part group 3, Cosmogony, the earth and the sky, etiology of the elements, natural and biological phenomena (fire, water, soil, thunderstorms, dream, etc.), cataclysms and cosmic threats, spirits of nature
B1 has 8 other sub-motifsB1. Two anthropomorphic creators compete in the creation of the earth and/or humans. One is or becomes the master of the underworld or is associated with the spirit world, in contrast to the first, who is associated with the human world. B1a. Anthropomorphic characters agree to divide the tiers of the universe among themselves – heaven, earth and the underworld. B1b. Two female progenitors participate in the process of creation. The actions of one bring good, the other evil. B1c. Two creators agree that the older of them (the main creator) will be the one whose object is in a certain state (usually: whose tree or flower grows or blooms earlier). While one was asleep or absent, the other switched the objects and deceitfully achieved primacy. B1d. Two characters are building the world, one works poorly, the other well, so different parts of the universe (or a specific island) have different appearances. B1e. The protagonist of the narrative is one of many (seven or more) brothers with whom he is in conflict, but who are not his irreconcilable enemies. B1f. In the era of creation, two men have a common origin, are not antagonists, and display their characteristics in a series of episodes. One is intelligent and successful, the other is simple-minded and irresponsible. B1g. Four brothers change the world, freeing it from monsters, transforming its inhabitants and obtaining valuable resources (water, fire, cultivated plants, etc.). Usually one of the brothers is the leader, and the others help him. All four often have a common name. B1H. Click here if would you like to see a distrbution map combining all of B1's motifs? |
Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns
| Motif | Similarity | Motif Summary |
|---|---|---|
| I4D1 | 80.18% | An enemy steals the tendons (heart and eyes) of a thunder god, who returns them and prevails over his enemy. Cf. motif L57A, "The hero's companion returns his organ." |
| F98 | 80.01% | A heavenly anthropomorphic deity descends to earth and mates with a cow. |
| L94C | 77.15% | If a deity grants victory, a person promises to sacrifice to it the first person who comes out to meet them at home. A son or daughter comes out. |
| I140 | 75.59% | The staff thrown to the ground turns into a living snake. |
| N39 | 75.59% | The image of a three-ply rope is used to describe the invincibility of two close-knit friends |
| K27O1 | 75.10% | Severed human heads are compared to balls. Either a character plays with a severed human head or skull as a ball. |
| G8G | 73.38% | There is a unique tree that must be bent or felled. Different creatures inhabit its separate parts and/or objects of special importance are made from its wood. |
| M39A4D | 71.71% | Fool sells property a lizard and believes it will pay him. Trying to get his money, he finds treasure |
| M114J | 71.46% | A woman does not refuse those who harass her, but calmly explains that there is no point in trying to possess many, since they are all the same (they differ no more than eggs painted in different colours). |
| I87C1 | 71.43% | A mouse makes itself a boat out of a small object. |
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Map of Motif Dispersal
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This motif has been recorded in 5 traditions: Tonga, Ifaluk, Woleai, Lamutrek, Faraulip Satawal, Elato, Western Fayu, Ancient Greece, Central Yakuts (Sakha), Phoenicia