The Mythology and Folklore Database
N28D - Sea cover




8 Myths, Legends and Folktales
8 Unique Narratives for Motif N28D
3 Cultures & Traditions where N28D is told
13 Mythemes Indexed
7 Sub-Motifs of Motif N28D


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 Motif Summary  -   Motifs with Simlar Dispersals  -    Map of Myth Distribution   -   List of Traditions  -   Myths



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

In 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 group 13, Formulae


N28 has 7 other sub-motifs


N28a.  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

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Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns

MotifSimilarityMotif Summary
I46C97.59%The rainbow is a rope to which cattle are tied.
K76F96.70%A young man with the appearance of a calf marries and then turns into a handsome man.
L37B295.62%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.
K9094.79%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).
I82H93.58%The name of Venus sounds like Cholpan, Cholbon, Tsolmon, etc. (čol- 'to sparkle, to shine' [Vámbéri 1879: 155]).
N28B92.97%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
N28H92.58%In a list of things that do not exist in the world, horns of the horse are mentioned
M78F92.02%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.
L65A91.94%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.
K60C91.77%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.

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Map of Motif Dispersal

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This motif has been recorded in 3 traditions: Kashmiri, Anatolia Turks, Buryats: Western (cis Baikal)


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