The Mythology and Folklore Database
B42R - Orion's Belt: running after each other.
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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
The three stars of Orion's Belt are three characters chasing each other.Berezkin category: The Origins of the Characteristics of the environment
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part group 2, Moon spots, stars, constellations
B42 has 27 other sub-motifsB42. Hunters, their dogs, fleeing or killed animals are visible in the sky in the form of stars and constellations. B42a. Hunters chase a bear across the sky and kill it in August-October. The bear's blood or fat falls to the ground in the form of dew or colours the foliage red. See motif B42. B42b. In the cosmic hunting plot, the objects of pursuit are hoofed animals (elk, deer, mountain sheep). See motif B42. B42c. In the cosmic hunting plot, the object of pursuit is a bear. See motifs B42 and B42P. B42d. In the cosmic hunting plot, the object of pursuit is a bear. See motif B42. B42e. In the cosmic hunting plot, the object of pursuit is the rhea (Rhea americana, a large flightless bird). See motif B42. B42f. The Big Dipper (as a whole or only the dipper) is identified with a large hoofed animal (elk, deer, mountain sheep). Unless otherwise specified, see motif B42 in the description of cosmic hunting. B42g. The Big Dipper (as a whole or only the dipper) is identified with an animal (animals) pursued by hunters / attacked by other characters. B42h. Orion's Belt – game, another star or group of stars within or outside Orion – hunter. B42h1. In the plot of cosmic hunting, one of the astral objects is identified with an arrow or bullet, and it is emphasised that it struck an animal or three animals, which are identified with Orion's Belt. {In the Khoisan variants, it is emphasised that the arrow did not reach its target}. B42h2. A large reddish star (Betelgeuse or Aldebaran) is identified with an arrow. B42hh. Orion is associated with the theme of cosmic hunting. (Including motifs b42h, b42h1, b42m, b42r). B42i. Cassiopeia is associated with a deer or elk. B42k. In stories about cosmic hunting, the object of pursuit or the hunters are identified with the Pleiades. See motif B42. B42l. The stars of the handle of the Big Dipper are hunters, the dipper itself is a bear, an elk or a meat storehouse where the bear climbs. B42m. The three stars of the Big Dipper's handle are three men (hunters, thieves). The stars of the dipper are the object they seek to obtain (the hunted animal; the bed). Alcor (a faint star near Mizar) is a container, a vessel carried by the second of the three characters. B42m1. The three main stars of the Big Dipper's handle are associated with people of three different nationalities. B42m2. The stars of the Big Dipper's handle are three hunters chasing a beast. Each has a distinct character (one is boastful, another is hasty, etc.). In Siberia, the hunters are identified with people of different nationalities, and in the North American Northeast, with birds of different species. B42mn. Only one character (rather than several) chases an animal (elk or bear) across the sky, associated with one of the circumpolar constellations, but not with the Pleiades or Orion. (In the Kalevala tradition, there is no identification with stars). B42n. The constellation Orion is identified with a man, usually a giant, warrior, or hunter. B42o. A certain constellation is represented by a person who has been struck or wounded in the back. B42o1. The Big Dipper is identified with the fisher (Mustela pennati). B42p. The Big Dipper is identified with a bear. B42q. Ursa Major – chariot, cart. B42r. The three stars of Orion's Belt are three characters chasing each other. B42s. The Big Dipper or Polar Star – a small animal (ermine, marten, forest marmot) or anthropomorphic character with animal features, struck by a spear or arrow. B42t. All seven stars of the Big Dipper (and not just the stars of the dipper) are considered to be the figure of an animal - a bear, moose, deer, ram, camel, or dog. B42U. The stars of the handle of the Big Dipper – three people, and the four stars of the dipper – animals or objects (one or more). Click here if would you like to see a distrbution map combining all of B42's motifs? |
Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns
| Motif | Similarity | Motif Summary |
|---|---|---|
| M119 | 99.30% | A character repeatedly shows another person the same object or creature; the other person believes that there are as many objects or creatures as the character has shown them. Usually, the character takes care of the other person's young, eats them or they die due to his negligence, or he is hired as a shepherd and eats the other person's livestock. When checked, he shows the parent (the owner of the herd) the same un-eaten young (or the same sheep), and the parent believes that all the young (animals) are safe. In ATU, this is plot 37, but two other plots are included as variants, and the sources are indicated for all three collectively. |
| M105 | 99.17% | The character hides his mother (wife, mother-in-law), but tells another that he has killed or sold her, or demonstratively leads her away to be sold, but lets her escape. See motif M104. |
| L106A | 99.09% | The antagonist makes formally justified but essentially unfair demands on the hero. The hero either fulfils them or is punished by the antagonist. Then the antagonist takes an object or animal belonging to the hero, but cannot return it and is punished equally or more severely. |
| M182 | 99.03% | A character threatens to hit another character and, as a result, gets stuck with all his limbs. Usually, it is a doll covered with something sticky, which the character mistakes for a living creature. |
| M175 | 99.02% | The hyena sees the carcass of a larger predator behind it, does not realise that it is dead, and runs away in terror. |
| H36B | 98.84% | The chameleon is to blame for the fact that man is mortal or that he must labour; he loses the trust placed in him by the deity. See motif H36. |
| B2G | 98.79% | The chameleon walked on the ground when it had not yet hardened. |
| B98B | 98.79% | The Bat comes into conflict with other creatures in connection with someone's death or funeral. |
| B98C | 98.79% | The heavenly deity could have healed the bat's mother or child, but did not do so, and they died. |
| C30B | 98.79% | In response to the claims of an animal or spirit, a person offers to remove their traces from the field or to walk without leaving any traces. The spirit is unable to do so. |
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Map of Motif Dispersal
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This motif has been recorded in 16 traditions: Swahili, Midjikenda (incl Giryama), Nyika, Duruma; Ngindo, Kiluguru and other Islamic groups of the Eastern Coast of Africa, Gogo, Kaguru, Luguru, Zigula, Taveta, Shambala (Sambala), Bondei, Taeta, Dabida; Zaramo, Luba (Baluba, Luba-Katanga, Shaba), (Ba)Holoholo, Tumbwe, Bena-Piana, Tabwa, Benabena-Mitumba, Zela, Bene-Marungu, Songe (Kisonge), Bena-Matembo, Sakata, Congo (Koongo, Bacongo; incl Vili, Fioti, (Ma)Yombe, MuKunyi), Ndombo, Luango (Loango), Zombo (Sambo), Laadi (Laari), (Ba)Fioti, Woyo (Kiwoyo), Ronga, Luchasi (Ngangela), Chokwe (Konwe); Mbukushu, Tswana (Chwana), Suto (Soto; incl Pedi, Mbire), Hausa, Biu-Mandara: Margi, Kilba, Bura, Kera, Karekare (Kerri-Kerri), Bachama, Zulgo, Giziga, Hdi, Kapsiki, Mandara (incl Mukulehe, Matakam), Mofu (Mofu-Gudur), Somrai (Sibine, Shibha), Yoruba; incl Ife), Nupe, Bini (Edo), Engenni, Chamba, Dakka, Kukuruku, Mandingo (Manden, incl San, Samo), Kagoro, Bambara (Bamana), Malinke, Kassonke, Diula, Kru: Kru proper, Sapo (Sapã), Grebo, Kran (Krahn, Guere-Krahn; incl. Putu, Tchien), Bete, Neyo, Wobe, Devoin (Dey), Belle (Kuwaa), Bassa, Sikon, Rutul, Tsakhur, Mongols (Khalkha), Congo