Motif family
Pride, Hubris, and Downfall
The pattern of overreaching pride followed by destruction or humbling. Includes failed towers, punished transgressors, kings brought low, and the moral that power without wisdom or humility leads to ruin.
39 traditions
361 occurrences
356 mapped motifs
18 sub-families
- afro caribbean
- ainu
- akan
- arctic inuit
- arthurian
- biblical
- buddhist
- celtic irish
- celtic welsh
- christian apocrypha
- confucian
- daoist
- estonian
- finnish karelian
- germanic
- greek
- greek roman
- hawaiian
- hindu
- inuit
- islamic
- islamicate folklore
- japanese
- jewish christian
- malagasy
- mesopotamian
- nahua maya inca
- native american northwest coast
- native american plains
- native american southeast
- native american southwest
- norse
- persian
- roman
- romanian
- shan
- slavic
- sufi
- zuni
Conserved neighbors: divine judgment · sacred knowledge · royal legitimacy
Sub-families · the next landing down
Defiance of Deities and Divine Humbling
10 motifs
- boast answered by supernatural opposition 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- boast of many children against a divine rival 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- boastful demon-king displays cosmic and royal power 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- fire and clay hierarchy claim 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- Humbling of overconfident believers 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- mortal challenges deity in craft contest 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- pride humbled in divine containment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- proud adversary refuses divine command 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- rash request to wield divine power 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- rejection of a divine warner by proud opponents 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
Boasts in Combat and Defeat
6 motifs
- Boast before combat followed by decisive defeat 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- boastful challenger immediately destroyed 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- boastful contestant humbled in combat 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- derisive boast provokes vengeance 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- false courage against a powerless substitute 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- prideful weak animal challenges stronger animal 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
Comparative Boasts and Humbling
9 motifs
- boast answered by bodily comparison 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Boastful comparison followed by reversal 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- boastful comparison overturned by events 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- boastful lesser light humbled by extinction 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- boastful recounting of past victories to silence challengers 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- exaggerated self-image leading to destruction 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- false confidence leads to disaster 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- False self-exaltation of a small creature 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- small creature destroyed by misjudging size or capacity 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Borrowed Status and Exposed Bravado
9 motifs
- boastful courage exposed by danger 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Boasting when detection is impossible 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- borrowed finery exposed 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- false champion exposed by real danger 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- humiliation concealed by boastful explanation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Mockery of cowardice after failed bravado 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Pretender made ridiculous 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Pride corrected by humiliation or punishment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- public expert exposed by private failure 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Failed Imitations and Counterfeit Works
7 motifs
- disrespect before failed imitation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- ainu
- Envious imitation of a beneficent marvel fails 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- japanese
- failed attempt to change innate nature by imitation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Fortunate removal contrasted with failed imitation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- japanese
- greedy imitation brings worthless result 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- japanese
- greedy imitator misuses or destroys a wonder-working object 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- japanese
- Human imitation of celestial paradise followed by heavenly destruction 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
Forbidden Projects and Cosmic Overreach
7 motifs
- destructive overreaching against nature 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- fall of overconfident monumental work 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- Fame-seeking destruction of a sacred building by fire 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- limited mission with forbidden overreach 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- prideful beings attempt to bridge heaven and earth 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- self-destructive overreaching for an inaccessible object 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- unattainable object disparaged after failure 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Envy, Jealousy, and Rivalry
12 motifs
- artisan excellence provoking envy and murder plot 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- Death through envy after surpassing warriors 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- envious rival prepares a poisoned ambush 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- envy as harmful force 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- envy as possession leading to obstruction 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- envy leading to failed imitation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- envy leads to self-harming abandonment of livelihood 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Jealous imitation of a revered figure 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- jealous master destroys talented pupil 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- personified envy infects a human heart 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Public success produces jealous hostility 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- japanese
- superior healer slain by jealous healer 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
Rage in Conflict and Battle
6 motifs
- attempted restraint increases destructive anger 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- destructive pride in conflict 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- discord grows when met with violence 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Heroic anger as civic danger 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Heroic wrath with destructive consequences 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- missed decisive victory through rage for slaughter 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
Desire, Pleasure, and Excess
7 motifs
- corruption of the best nature 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- desire ruling the self 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- destructive passion leading to death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- excess as cause of decay 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- overeating leads to entrapment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- pleasure causing neglect of duty 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Tyrant as slave of inner desires 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Rejected Counsel and Ignored Warnings
10 motifs
- Doomed warrior ignores prudent counsel 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Fatal disregard of a guiding middle path 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- hero warned to limit pursuit but exceeds bounds 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- obstinate refusal of rescue or guidance 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- refused counsel before destructive war 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Rejected prudent escape counsel 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- warning against arrogant suitors 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- warning before battle is ignored or belittled 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- wise counsel rejected before foretold ruin 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- wise warning rejected before ruin 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
Political Degeneration and Regime Sequences
11 motifs
- constitutional and ethical decline 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- decline across generations into tyranny 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- decline from ideal order into timocratic militarism 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- decline from ideal order through successive corrupt forms 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- decline through corrupted generation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- intoxication by freedom leading to tyranny 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- ordered decline from ideal order to tyranny 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- ordered decline of regimes 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- political degeneration expressed through animal and monster imagery 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Successive declining generations of humanity 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- tyranny as disease or death of government 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Usurpation and Corrupted Protectors
4 motifs
- Ambitious courtier betrays benefactor 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Corruption into tyranny through seduction and implanted passion 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- protector corrupted into predator-tyrant 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- protector transformed into tyrant 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Tyrants' Fear, War, and Vengeance
5 motifs
- isolated master becomes fearful captive 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Isolated master fearing revolt of dependents 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- ruler sustains power through manufactured war 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- tyrant as embodiment of lawless wickedness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- tyrant's generalized vengeance after betrayal 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
Wealth, Luxury, and Greed
13 motifs
- death pursuing the wealth-seeker 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- fatal pursuit of splendid spoils 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Fear-driven conversion from honor to wealth 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- hidden subterranean wealth unleashes vice and war 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Insatiable greed 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- inversion of luxury into shame or bondage 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- kinslaying for a hoard 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- losing a real possession while seeking an illusory greater gain 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- luxury produces conflict 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- pride from temporary wealth before a fall 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- Temptation through royal wealth and power 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- wealth leading to insolence and admonition 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- wealth transformed into golden touch legend 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
Fallen Power and Ruined Splendor
12 motifs
- Decline from cultural flowering into waste and decay 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- delayed revenge after fall from power 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- Endurance of a record contrasted with daily transience 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- fall from former status 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Fallen royal glory and animal-occupied ruins 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Impermanence of royal glory 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- impermanence of royal grandeur 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- impermanence of worldly power 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- precarious height and downfall of the powerful 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Pride as brief rule followed by downfall/dissolution 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- Ruined splendor questioning vanished power 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- vanished kings and the ruin of worldly power 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
Self-Defeating Remedies and Choices
7 motifs
- admired feature becomes cause of ruin 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- counterproductive remedy intensifies the problem 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- daoist
- Counterproductive removal of a perceived cause 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- false security created by delayed harm 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- seeming gain becomes fatal danger 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- self-chosen path to destruction 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- self-inflicted harm while attacking a smaller enemy 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Reversed Pursuit and Overthrown Strength
5 motifs
- hunter becomes hunted 4 occurrences · 2 traditions
- greek
- roman
- Overbold pursuit followed by sudden flight 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- power reversed by circumstance 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- strong figure defeated, frail figures endure 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- victor destroyed by lesser danger 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Fortune Turned to Humiliation
5 motifs
- pride and accidental superiority before reversal 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- pride leading to loss 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- public approval and public humiliation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- reversal of fortune humbles the proud 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- triumph followed by sudden downfall 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Not yet placed in a sub-family
211 motifs, showing the 60 most attested
- Accusation leading to compulsory proof of a boast 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- native american southwest
- Ambition and worldly gain causing loss of supernatural power 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- attempt to control celestial order 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- bad company leading to downfall 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- boast against cosmic and divine powers before downfall 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- boast answered by dangerous royal task 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- slavic
- boast answered by reversal of advantage 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- boast followed by royal imprisonment until proof 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- boast followed by supernatural counter-action 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- boaster humiliated by failed encounter 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- Boaster humiliated by public defeat 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- boastful advantage becomes vulnerability 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- boastful challenge followed by encumbering consequence 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- native american plains
- boastful challenger defeated by hero 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- Boastful challenger defeated in combat contest 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Boastful challenger of a ghost is killed after warning 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- boastful challenger slain by the beast 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Boastful claimant unknowingly marked for death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Boastful courage tested by action 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- boastful light humbled by extinguishing wind 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- boastful mountain-overturner undone by a mountain challenge 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- nahua maya inca
- boastful self-admiration after danger or loss 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- zuni
- Boastful speedster defeated in a race 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- shan
- Boastful weaker animal challenges stronger predator 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- boasting reveals concealed possession 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- Boasts before monster-combat fail by morning 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- Chain of envy among differently endowed beings 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- daoist
- Claimed supernatural power fails before human hostility 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- companions lost through folly 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- craft success provoking murderous envy 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- Dangerous divine vehicle entrusted to an unready youth 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- defeated ruler’s self-destruction 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- arthurian
- defiant ruler rejects wise counsel before war 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- demon king's cosmic boast after hearing bad news 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- derisive boast before reversal 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Devaluing an unattainable desired object 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Disgrace mistaken for honor 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- disrespect before failed undertaking 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- ainu
- divine pride corrected by a greater hidden power 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Doomed king amid burning city 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- downfall from high station 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Downfall of a royal people 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- Dramatic execution of a fallen ruler at ruins 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- drunken ruler unable to prevent loss of control 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- Enduring river against political impermanence 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- envious beauty rivalry leading to murder attempts 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- envious imitator fails to reproduce a wonder 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- japanese
- Envious release of a confined affliction backfires 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- slavic
- envious retrieval of misfortune causes downfall 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- estonian
- Envious rich brother against poor brother 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- afro caribbean
- Envious rivals release contained danger 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- Envy as an active source of harm 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- Envy as punitive possession 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- Envy as satanic and soul-killing impurity 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- envy dispelled by seeing hidden cost 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- envy-driven imitation ends in humiliation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Envy-driven treachery against a holy man 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- envy leading to self-destructive change of livelihood 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- envy leads to destruction of magical helper 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- envy of a successful kinsman leading to murder 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- arctic inuit
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