The Mythology and Folklore Database
K2 - The discarded ladder.
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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 hero climbs or descends a ladder, rope, pole, etc. The rope, etc. breaks or is cut. Usually, another character deliberately throws away the ladder, cuts the rope, or breaks off the lower branches of the tree, making return impossible. See motif K1A. {Statistical calculations for this motif also include all texts from motif K2A, except for Koreans}.Berezkin category: Adventures: Acts of heroes
This is of motif type Adventures and tricks and is part group 10, Adventures
K2 has 5 other sub-motifsK2. The hero climbs or descends a ladder, rope, pole, etc. The rope, etc. breaks or is cut. Usually, another character deliberately throws away the ladder, cuts the rope, or breaks off the lower branches of the tree, making return impossible. See motif K1A. {Statistical calculations for this motif also include all texts from motif K2A, except for Koreans}. K2a. The character is sent down to the underworld (into an abyss, a well, etc.). After he sends the treasures (women) he has obtained back up, his envious companions cut the rope, but he manages to return to earth. See motifs K38, K39, K74. K2a1. A demon carries off a girl of noble birth. A commoner accidentally witnesses the abduction or accidentally finds evidence of it. The girl's father sends him to search for his daughter. K2a2. A monster rushes past a young man, carrying off the princess. The young man picks up the princess's lost shoe or, after shooting, finds a lock of the princess's hair. He sets off in search of her, descends underground and rescues the kidnapped princess. K2a3. The hero's companions leave him on the mountain, destroying the rope (chain) by which he climbed up or which he lowered down. K2b. The occupations or names of the hero's companions are unusual and different for each one, but their specific abilities, which can be inferred from these names, are insignificant for the development of the plot. Cf. motif K66, "Heroes with different abilities". Click here if would you like to see a distrbution map combining all of K2's motifs? |
Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns
| Motif | Similarity | Motif Summary |
|---|---|---|
| E11 | 94.31% | The future family member reveals himself or remains with the person after the object that defines the character's non-human appearance is destroyed. After the person destroys (usually burns) the discarded animal skin, the character retains his human appearance. See motif E9. |
| K32 | 93.57% | The man does not (immediately) notice that another woman, an evil spirit or (in Chaco) a male trickster has replaced his wife or bride, who is banished, imprisoned in the underworld, killed, etc. |
| K29A | 93.23% | The hero demonstrates his magical abilities or cunning by remaining alive in a hot bath, oven, fire, or among burning vegetation. |
| L41A | 93.15% | The character runs away from his captor, leaving a stone (or a log, sand) in his place. See motif L41. |
| F35A | 93.02% | The character, unaware of this, eats or prepares meat (slowly kills) a member of his household (a relative, rarely a servant or spouse) or feeds it to his acquaintances, or uses its bones for household needs. |
| L72 | 92.86% | While fleeing, the character throws small objects behind him, which turn into powerful obstacles in the path of the pursuer, or (rarely) the pursuer creates such obstacles in the path of the fugitives. (Cf. SUS 1979, No. 313H = AA 313I, p. 114: escape by throwing magical objects, an episode in various types of fairy tales). |
| K27N | 92.27% | A young man must complete difficult tasks or win a competition in order to obtain permission to marry. The person giving the tasks is indicated in square brackets. See motif K27. |
| K75 | 91.84% | The girl (usually the youngest of the sisters) does not reject the hero, who temporarily takes the form of an animal, a freak, an old man, a poor man, or a loser, or she picks up the hero's remains and he comes back to life. After some time, the hero reveals his true nature. |
| J26 | 91.59% | The character or that from which he arises is found in a river, lake, sea, or on the riverbank. The future hero emerges from the body of water into which he was thrown. |
| I39 | 91.59% | The rainbow is a bridge, a road, a staircase. |
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Map of Motif Dispersal
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This motif has been recorded in 72 traditions: Arabs of Iraq, Iraqi, Ngbakka, Mbum (incl Mbai), Mundang, Fali, Tupuri, Maya (=Bali), Nyong, Nyatutu, Kiniramba, Isanzu, Kikuyu, Chuka, Embu, Emberre, Mwimbe, Gogo, Kaguru, Luguru, Zigula, Taveta, Shambala (Sambala), Bondei, Taeta, Dabida; Zaramo, Safwa, Mkulwe, Ngonde, Kinga, Nyakusa, Nyamwanga, Herero (Herrero), Tswana (Chwana), Suto (Soto; incl Pedi, Mbire), Hausa, Tuareg, Hadza, Sandawe, Southern Australia: Dieri, Urabunna (Arabana), Flinderce Mountains, Kujani, Andyamatana (Andjamatana, Wailpi), Trans-New Guinea and unclassified Papuan groups of Irian Jaya: Mejprat, Arandai-Bintuni, Inanwatan-Berau, Papua of Gelvink (Cenderawasih) Bay, Kamoró, Marind Anim, Sawi, Mafore; Korowai; Kwerba; Momina, Eipo, Yale, Awyu, Tikopia, Bellona, Rennell, partly Aneytium, Futuna (=Erronan, not to be mixed with Futuna in Western Polynesia), Vaeaka-Taumato, incl Matema, Nifeloli, Nukapu, Nupani, Pileni, Alor, Solor, Wetar, Atauru, Bugi, Macassar, 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, Tamil, Muthuvan, Marvar, Tamils, Lepcha, Serbs, Monte Negro, Balkarians, Udin, Georgians, Oirats (incl Torgouts, Derbets, Oilots), Nganasans, Oroch, Tanana, North Alaskan Inupiat, Nootka (Nu-chah-nulth), Makah, Blackfoot, Sarsee (Tsuu T'ina), Teton (incl Oglala), Chilkotin, Western Sahaptin (Upper Cowlitz, Klikitat, Tenino, Umatilla, Yakima, Wallawalla), Quileute, Chemakum (Hoh), Shasta; Chimariko, Karok, Yurok, Caddo, Mono (Monache), Upland Yuma: Walapai, Havasupai, Yavapai, Luiseño, Juaneño, Zuni, Lacandon, Yupa (Yukpa), Waiwai, Trio, Pemon: Arekuna (incl. Kamarakoto), Taulipang (Taurepan), Colorado (Tsachila), Siona, Secoya, Coreguaje, Shuar, Achuar (Shiwiar), Aguaruna, Huambiza, Karijona, Barasana, Taibano, Macuna, Kabiyari, Yukuna (Yucuna), Tenetehara, Machiguenga, Cashibo, Bolivian Guarani: Chiriguano (including assimilated Chane Arawaks), Pauserna (=Guarasu), Guarayu, Tapiete, Parintintin; Villa Bella (tribal affiliation unknown), Suruí, Gaviâo, Zoro, Arua, Cinta Larga, Kuikuro, Kalapalo, Calapalo, Kamayura, Rikbaktsa, Paresi, Bororo, Craho, Apinaye (Apinage, Apinaje), Suya, Txukarramae, Sherente, Italians: Central (Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Lazio)