The Mythology and Folklore Database
A2 - Several suns.
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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
There was a time when several, i.e. more than two, suns shone in the sky at the same time.Berezkin category: The Sun and Moon
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part group 1, Sun and Moon
A2 has 12 other sub-motifsA2. There was a time when several, i.e. more than two, suns shone in the sky at the same time. A2a. The world was or will be (almost) burned when several suns lit up or will light up simultaneously; or destructive heat (or light) once emanated from one sun. A2a1. At first, the moon was as bright and hot as the sun. A2b. In addition to the current sun and/or moon, other suns and moons shone in the sky, which were then destroyed. See motif A2A. A2b1. Two or more suns shine in the sky. When the extra ones are destroyed, there is a danger that the last one will be destroyed along with them and darkness will ensue. A2c. The extra suns that existed in the past or may appear in the future are the children of the Sun-father. See motif A2A. A2c1. The Sun is going to have children. One of the animals warns that if the Sun has children, the world will burn. The Sun has to (refuse marriage and) remain childless. A2c2. The catastrophe threatening the earth is associated with the appearance of not only several suns, but also several moons. A2c3. In extraordinary circumstances, the moon or sun are not round, but have corners and edges. A2d. Other suns illuminate other levels of the universe or will shine sequentially in the future. A2e. The sun and/or moon – severed heads of anthropomorphic beings. A2F. Suns grow on tree branches. A2G. At different times throughout the day, different suns shine in the sky. Click here if would you like to see a distrbution map combining all of A2's motifs? |
Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns
| Motif | Similarity | Motif Summary |
|---|---|---|
| B3D | 99.57% | The earth is obtained by a worm; it arises from worm excrement, extracted from the worm. |
| M130B | 99.48% | A herbivorous animal falls into a hunter's trap. The predator does not want to release it, as it hopes to eat its entrails, but the bird helps it to escape. The hunter tries to kill the bird, but instead kills the predator. |
| A46 | 99.31% | The sun and moon (Rigveda: only the sun) emerge from the eyes of an anthropomorphic creature. |
| K27ZZ2 | 99.30% | Several wives of one man (several sisters) go blind – the older ones in both eyes, and the younger one in one eye. |
| M152D | 99.26% | The elephant and the tiger (lion) engage in combat (usually competing to see who can roar louder). The tiger wins and is about to eat the elephant, but a small animal saves it. |
| M152E | 99.17% | A tiger (lion) and another animal compete to see whose roar is louder. The tiger roars louder, but ultimately loses. |
| I8H | 99.17% | The earth is supported by a man and a woman in the underworld. |
| K33A3 | 99.17% | A woman, turned into a turtle because of her rival's intrigues, tries to establish contact with her children or husband. |
| B116B | 98.91% | A book containing sacred knowledge falls into the water at a crossing or gets wet in some other way. After that, the book disappears or the text becomes unreadable. Either the book is ruined (damaged) when it is dried. Or it is ruined while left unattended on the shore while the people who kept it are swimming; or it burns, although traces remain. |
| H34C | 98.87% | Rice flew (came) from the field to the house. |
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Map of Motif Dispersal
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This motif has been recorded in 47 traditions: Tasmania, Ontong Java, Nukumanu, Takuu, Nukuria, Alor, Solor, Wetar, Atauru, Toraja (Toradja), To Mori, Baree (=Eastern Toraja), Batak (Toba, Dairi), Malay; Temuan (incl Mantra or Mentra), Jakun (Moken), Mentawai, Dusun, Murut, Kelabit, Tombonuwo, Bajau, Tidong, Southern Taiwan: Rukai, Paiwan, Puyuma, Saaroa, Ketangalan, Shan, Ahom, Khampti, Khmer, Palaung (De Ang, Deang), Semang, Senoi, Northern Munda of Kharwar branch: Birhor, Ho, Mundari, Kol, Asur (including Agaria, Kol, Birjhia), Bhumij, Bhuiya (now Aryans, originally Munda; Rahman 1955: 203), Baiga, Bhaina, Bhumia (subgroup of Baiga, incl Bharia, formerly Munda, now speak Indo-Aryan languages of neighboring groups), Sora (Savara, Saora), Parenga, 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, Maria, Muria, and other South-Central Dravidians: Binjhwar, Bacop, Bhattra, Bom, Jhoria (=Jhodia), Gadaba (in Koraput, neighbors of Munda-speaking Gadaba), Duruwa (Parji), Mehtar; Pardhan, Nepali; Tharu, Sinhalese; Vedda, Miao (Hmong) and Yao of Southern China, Meo (Hmong) of Thailand, Laos and Northern Vietnam, Li , Lahu, Kucong, Nosu, Nisu, Nusu, Sani, Jino, Early Chinese written sources, Lavrung, Jiarong; Qiang (incl rGyalrong), Kirati (Kiranti): Rai (incl Thulung), Limbu, Newar, Georgians, Buryats: Western (cis Baikal), Oirats (incl Torgouts, Derbets, Oilots), Mongols (Khalkha), Darkhad, Tuvinians of Tuva, Tuvans, Southern Altai: Altai proper (Altai-Kiji), Telengit, Altaians, Tungus (Evenki) of China (Solon, Birar, Oroqen, Manegir), Evenks, Udeghe, Oroch, Nanai, Negidal, Nivkh, Sauk (Sak, Mesquakie), Fox, Kickapoo, Shasta; Chimariko, Pasco, Junin, Huancavelica departments: Central Peru, Sierra (Kechua-speaking communities in Spanish sources XVI-XVII centuries), Central Tibetans (Yu Tsang, incl. Sikkim Tibetans, Tichurong of NW Nepal), Lisu, Lolo (incl. Bai), Achang, Yi, Axi, Nasu, Jino, Taungyo, Khamnigans, China