The Mythology and Folklore Database
A46 - The sun and moon arise from the eyes of a creature.




36 Myths, Legends and Folktales
35 Unique Narratives for Motif A46
19 Cultures & Traditions where A46 is told
90 Mythemes Indexed
1 Sub-Motifs of Motif A46


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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

The sun and moon (Rigveda: only the sun) emerge from the eyes of an anthropomorphic creature.

Berezkin category: The Sun and Moon

This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part group 1, Sun and Moon


A46 has 1 other sub-motifs


A46.  The sun and moon (Rigveda: only the sun) emerge from the eyes of an anthropomorphic creature.
A46a.  The sun and moon (Rigveda: only the sun) are associated with the eyes of an anthropomorphic being (the motif of their emergence from the eyes of this being may be absent).

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Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns

MotifSimilarityMotif Summary
I8H99.76%The earth is supported by a man and a woman in the underworld.
K33A399.76%A woman, turned into a turtle because of her rival's intrigues, tries to establish contact with her children or husband.
A46A99.52%The sun and moon (Rigveda: only the sun) are associated with the eyes of an anthropomorphic being (the motif of their emergence from the eyes of this being may be absent).
K27ZZ299.45%Several wives of one man (several sisters) go blind – the older ones in both eyes, and the younger one in one eye.
A299.31%There was a time when several, i.e. more than two, suns shone in the sky at the same time.
B3D99.24%The earth is obtained by a worm; it arises from worm excrement, extracted from the worm.
M152D99.11%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.
M29O198.96%As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the monkey dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets.
F45A98.86%A woman or female animal conceives by deliberately exposing her genitals to the wind.
M152E98.81%A tiger (lion) and another animal compete to see whose roar is louder. The tiger roars louder, but ultimately loses.

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Map of Motif Dispersal

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This motif has been recorded in 19 traditions: Yao, Makua, Southern Cook Islands: Mangaia, Rarotonga, Atiu, Iatutakim Pukapuka, Tubuai (=Austral Islands, incl Rapa), Gilbert Islands, Nauru, Banaba (Ocean island), Tuvalu (Ellice), Chamorro (Guam and other Marianas), Simeulue, Nias, Juang, Bondo, Didayi (Gata'), Gutob (=Gadaba; cf Dravidian-speaking Gadaba), 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, Kuki, Chiru, Falam (Hallam), Chin (Meitei =Manipuri, Khami, =Kumi), Lakher, Mizo (Lushei), Anal, Pawi (Lai), Purum, Koireng, Milhiem, Kolhen, Mru, 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, Indian literary tradition (Vedic, Brahman, Purana, Indian Buddhism, Hinduism, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchtantra, Jatakas); iconography of Hindu temples, Miao (Hmong) and Yao of Southern China, Early Chinese written sources, Kalmyk, Manchu, Upper Tanana (Nebesna), Tanacross, Central Tibetans (Yu Tsang, incl. Sikkim Tibetans, Tichurong of NW Nepal), China


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