Motif family
Sacred Love and Longing
Love as a cosmic or mystical force # the love between divine and human, the love that transcends death, the longing for return to source. Includes the Sufi divine beloved, sacred marriage, and love as the driving force of the quest.
97 traditions
4,852 occurrences
1,054 mapped motifs
10 sub-families
- aboriginal australian
- african akan
- african bantu
- afro caribbean
- ainu
- amazonian
- andamanese
- arctic inuit
- armenian
- arthurian
- australian aboriginal
- basque
- bavili
- biblical
- buddhist
- buryat mongol
- caucasian
- celtic
- celtic irish
- celtic welsh
- chaco amerindian
- christian apocrypha
- comparative
- confucian
- daoist
- egyptian
- ekoi
- estonian
- ethiopian christian
- fijian
- filipino
- finnic
- finnish karelian
- fjort
- ganda
- georgian
- germanic
- gnostic
- greek
- greek roman
- guiana amerindian
- hausa
- hawaiian
- hermetic
- hindu
- hopi
- inca
- indigenous australian
- inuit
- islamic
- islamicate folklore
- jain
- japanese
- jewish christian
- jewish pseudepigrapha
- kikuyu
- kimbundu
- korean
- malagasy
- malay
- mangaian
- maori
- melanesian
- mesopotamian
- micronesian
- mongol
- nahua maya inca
- native american california
- native american great lakes
- native american northeast woodlands
- native american northwest coast
- native american plains
- native american plateau
- native american southeast
- native american southwest
- navajo
- norse
- oceanic
- persian
- roman
- romanian
- samoan
- san
- shan
- shinto
- siberian
- sikh
- slavic
- sufi
- tibetan buddhist
- tongan
- vietnamese
- xhosa
- yoruba
- zoroastrian
- zulu
- zuni
Conserved neighbors: mystical quest · death and transformation · divine beloved · jealous stepmother persecuted child · recognition tokens hidden identity
Sub-families · the next landing down
Lovesickness and Longing
51 motifs
- desire seeks what it lacks 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- absence creates longing for one’s kind 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- daoist
- Concealed forbidden love causes wasting sickness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Desire as fire quenched by restraint 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- desire as lack 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- desire-driven approach to a married hero 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Desire for a renowned outsider across a marriage boundary 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- desire incited through praise of a remote beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- destructive desire figured as fire 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- destructive erotic attachment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Drowning in tears and dangerous waters 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- erotic flame amid heroic action 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- erotic spring landscape as intensifier of separation grief 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Frenzied wandering in pursuit of an unattainable beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- grief at separation threatens death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Heart-blood loss from longing 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- heart bound or snared by beauty 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- illness or refusal caused by separation from companion 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- Love as an affliction cured only by the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- Love as bodily waning and musical brokenness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- love as consuming fire and hidden wound 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Love as fire and longing as thirst for wine 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Love as inner tyrant 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Love as madness or malady 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- love as revivifying water 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- love as wound, fire, and divine weapon 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Love figured as drowning, fire, wounding, and illness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- love makes the powerful vulnerable 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- love pervades all speech of the lover 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Love-sickness as wasting illness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Love-sickness caused by dream vision 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- love-sickness changes appearance 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- love-sickness cured by reunion token 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- love sickness from gazing upon a desired woman 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Love-sickness healed by the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- love-sickness or secret love as bodily illness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- love-sickness relieved by news of the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- love-sickness requiring the beloved's cure 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- madness or wasting after supernatural separation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Magically induced and removed lovesickness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- mourning landscape around an absent beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- music mediating hidden sorrow and desire 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- mutual lovers’ union imagined as inexhaustible sweetness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- possessing love as tyrannical monster 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Rejected love causing bodily diminishment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- separation as bitter drink 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- single passion possessing the whole person 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- tears as precious or inexhaustible waters 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- unhealable wound of love 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- wasting death from love as hidden flame 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- wounded heart of the lover 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
United in Death
29 motifs
- abandoned beloved's self-destruction 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- after-death reunion of a purified pair 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Attachment to a beloved followed by mourning at the tomb 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- Beloved refuses to abandon the hero and is killed 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- beloved’s pursuit leads to unintended death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Beloved's self-death and placement beside dead hero with sword boundary 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- Bride or beloved rides into funeral fire 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- Dead beloved's grave affected by the living beloved's emotions 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- death with the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- devoted love in a death-darkened night journey 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- dying spouse’s last invocation of beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Enduring love beyond bodily decay 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- entombed beloved followed by suicide 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- false death report causing the lover’s death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- fellowship of souls broken by death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Forbidden lovers united in death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- grief-driven death at a beloved’s tomb 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Killing of one of a loving pair and survivor’s lament 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Loss of a beloved spiritual companion amid communal conflict 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Loss of sustaining wife and benefactor brings decline 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- lost beloved passes into water realm 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- love extending into the realm of death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- lover's self-killing after mistaken report or sign of beloved's death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- lovers joined in one grave 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Rejected lover dies at the beloved’s threshold 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- self-killing with the beloved's weapon 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- shared tomb for dead lovers 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Shipwrecked beloved announces death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- vow of death rather than loss of spouse or marital fidelity 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
Bride Contest and Suitor Trials
46 motifs
- abundant wedding feast followed by song 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- Ceremonial praise of wedding participants 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- Refusal of arranged royal marriage 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- beloved or spouse won through persuasion or enchantment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- bride-choice assembly 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- Bride’s own answer required 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- bride-seeking after failed love 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- bride-winning martial contest 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- bride won by dangerous contest 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Bridegroom chosen under restricted sight 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- celestial body responding to human beauty 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Champion challenges on behalf of a maiden 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- contest of strength with bow for marriage outcome 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- contest of suitors for a bride 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Courtship delayed by obligation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- Courtship encounter at water 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- courtship of a royal daughter ending in promised betrothal 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- courtship song with catalog of natural comparisons 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- dangerous suitor disarmed by marriage condition 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- deadly marriage race 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- death of obstructing father after daughter's transfer 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- Delayed readiness of the bride 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- exceptional bride sets conditions for a husband 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- first love before a deadly trial 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- helper rewarded after lovers' reunion 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- Hero wins a bride surrounded by flames 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- impossible suitor tasks answered by counterfeit gifts 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- japanese
- impossible task to win the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Inspection of the bridegroom by ritual light 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- intercessory persuasion for a lover 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- love at first sight and reciprocal response 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- marriage rite crisis at the threshold of the ceremony 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- paired distant royals with parallel refusal of marriage 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- peaceful rival wooing with bride's choice 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- promised bride against her will 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- Proxy wooing for marriage 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Rejected old suitor and chosen younger suitor 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- Reluctant or mismatched bride 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- resistant maiden rejects multiple suitors 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- Restoration of youth and beauty before union 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- secluded maiden reserved as king's bride 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- self-choice marriage assembly 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- serial deadly bridegroom 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- suitor offers pastoral abundance to beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- unrequited pursuit and rejection 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- wedding feast and marriage preparations 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
Faithful Spouse
35 motifs
- beloved’s presence transforms hardship into bliss 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- armed protection of the beloved in wilderness refuge 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- beloved’s presence as cure 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- bereaved survivor whose family is replaced by spouse 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- bird as emblem of conjugal fidelity 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- bond of love as resistance to tyranny 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- created spousal bond with love and compassion 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- devoted spouse follows duty during exile 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- enduring or conjugal affection represented by birds 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- exemplary wife invoked as model of devotion 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Faithful beloved sharing hardship in exile 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- faithful captive refuses captor 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- faithful captive refuses improper rescue 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Faithful spouse accompanies the banished husband 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- faithful wife attends fallen or punished husband 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- faithful wife delays remarriage by weaving stratagem 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Faithful wife delays unwanted suitors by a craft stratagem 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- Faithful wife mitigating the bound sufferer's torment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- faithful wife resists rival suitor 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- fidelity in ornamental captivity 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- invincible band united by love-bonds 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- lasting friendship preferred over passionate attachment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- loyal spouse or beloved tested by rival offer 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- Loyal spouse refuses food and new union while beloved lies as dead 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- marital bond survives transformation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- marital fidelity tested by disguise 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Paradise status promised for a restored spouse 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- pitiless hero rebuked by beloved companion 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- power of loving intention to pass unharmed 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- buddhist
- Protective spouse attempts to restrain a hero from danger 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- spouse insists on sharing the hero’s exile 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- steadfast love despite hostility 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- token proving chastity or kept faith 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- watching beloved protects sleeping hero 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- water peril as test of faithful love 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
Forbidden and Transgressive Love
39 motifs
- Stolen Or Lost Beloved 2,076 occurrences · 83 traditions
- aboriginal australian
- african bantu
- afro caribbean
- ainu
- amazonian
- andamanese
- arctic inuit
- armenian
- +75 more
- Appointed tryst prevented by sudden sleep 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- beautiful hybrid warrior beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- beauty as a decisive temptation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Captive lover unable to break bonds 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- captive treated with guarded luxury 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Coerced bride by magical threat 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- coercive deadline imposed on captive woman 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Danger of union with a deathless goddess 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- fatal self-love through pursuit of one’s own image 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- fatal self-love through reflected image 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- forbidden desire for a parent 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- forbidden incestuous desire resisted in monologue 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Forbidden love across mortal and giant worlds 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- forbidden lovers separated by family and architecture 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- forbidden sibling desire confessed in writing 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Giant or monster demands a daughter as ransom for captive sons 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- Giant suitor rejected by beautiful maiden 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- hidden lovers overhear rival suitor 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- hidden maiden whose beauty cannot be concealed 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- lover as prey of the beloved-hunter 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- married woman's desire for an outside hero triggers conflict 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- mistreated bride or wife in husband’s household 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- monster or dangerous being softened by love 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- moralized forbidden or rash youthful love 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Perilous path of love requiring caution 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- predatory love as wolf toward lamb 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- secret message as vehicle of transgressive desire 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- secret night abduction by sea 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- seduction through sight 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Self-love directed toward an unattainable reflection 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- supernatural night discovery of a sleeping beauty 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- supernatural nocturnal encounter with sleeping beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- supernatural women cause heroic sickness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Tryst threatened by armed wife and female retinue 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- unattainable beloved separated by a slight boundary 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- warrior lured by beloved into capture 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- warrior neglects public duties through private attachment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- worldly reputation lost through beloved idols and drink imagery 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
Beloved Imagery and Poetry
27 motifs
- love-story with supernatural background 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- animal omen or guide toward the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Beloved as life-giving beauty 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- beloved-centered conversation around the lover 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- beloved encoded in nature imagery 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Beloved envisioned through black-white-red natural signs 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- Beloved perceived only by the true lover 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- beloved recalled through triadic color imagery in nature 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- beloved recognized by three color signs 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- beloved's hair as entangling snare 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- devotional hearts as ornaments of the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- foretold conjunction of northern man and southern woman 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- garden and fruit affinity as basis for union 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Irresistible love caused by sight of a hidden mark 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- kissed vessel associated with reciprocal past kisses 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Lament over object of the absent beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Love as divine source of honor and courage 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Love as healer and reconciler 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Love as source of heroic courage and honor 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- maiden whose footsteps produce flowers 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- marked or love-attracting body feature 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- misrecognition based on extraordinary beauty 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Morning floral abundance 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Nightingale calling to the rose for wine 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- nightingale, rose, and wine song 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- socially sanctioned lover's abasement 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- tearful nightingale in the poet's garden 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
Reunion, Messengers, and Tokens
32 motifs
- Deceptive doubles of the beloved 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Absorbed lover remains silent and defeats interrupters 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- Beloved addressed by disguised lover 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- beloved insider allies aid raiders or suitors 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- beloved reunion after battle victory 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Beloved's cry awakens the wounded hero 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- Beloved supplies weapon for hero’s rescue 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- deceptive exchange using a decoy and promised woman 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- divine prolonging of night for reunion 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Enamored foreign helper aids the hero 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- enchanted sleep prevents a meeting 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Enchanted sleep prevents the promised union 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- erotic reversal from lover to beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- failed intercession to delay a departing lover 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Hidden helper observes imprisoned beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- life-saving maiden remembered by hero 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- loss of song and vitality when love withdraws 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Messenger bird or wind to the distant beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- messenger from absent beloved reassures captive 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Messenger wind, bird, and song carrying tidings from the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- parting transformed into meeting 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Recognition and restoration through the scent of a lost beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- repentance and pardon between lovers 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- revelatory sign from the Beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- search for missing beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Secret desire revealed despite attempted concealment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- secret entrance to the beloved’s chamber 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- secret revealed to sympathetic bride 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- sight of beloved or beauty causing weapon to be cast aside 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- spousal acceptance through naming 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Threshold condition before restoration of marriage 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- Tokens or traces of the absent beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
Jealousy and Rivalry
23 motifs
- betrayal of a besieged city for love 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Charm that divides spouses 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamic
- Defeated suitors turn to anger after bride's choice 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- fair-weather love abandoned when beauty fades 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- fleeing woman seeks heroic protection 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Guarded woman in a protected enclosure 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- guardians appointed for vulnerable beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- jealous isolation of the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Jealous lover and indifferent beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- Jealous lover isolates the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Jealous rival kills beloved youth 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- jealous supernatural lover or captor 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- marriage as bondage under affinal household 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- Marriage as entry into a stranger household 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- Marriage figured as entrapment 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- poisoned bridal gift used as revenge 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- Possessive lover harms the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- ruler dependent on maiden’s bodily presence 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- secluded beautiful royal figure hidden from public sight 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- islamicate folklore
- separated lovers and eponymous place-name 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- threatened destruction of the rival wife 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- token removed as accusation of faithlessness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- Violent suitor kills rival or beloved figure 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
Divine and Sacred Love
17 motifs
- Sacred Marriage 1,712 occurrences · 91 traditions
- african akan
- african bantu
- ainu
- amazonian
- andamanese
- arctic inuit
- armenian
- arthurian
- +83 more
- Divine adornment before erotic encounter 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- divine agency behind love among perishing beings 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Divine and mortal names for love 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- divine love animating nature and sacred mountain 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Divine power that compels love across gods, humans, and animals 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- divinely induced love for the hero 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- divinity of Love prevents calling Love evil 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Fire ordeal separating the lovers 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- healing by union with the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- healing through courtship or bodily intimacy 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Love versus kinship loyalty 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- mythic explanation of erotic attachments 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- Renunciation of a beloved or companion 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- rising sun ratifies or empowers marriage 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- comparative
- ritualized divine adornment before seduction 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- youthful divine Love as creator and artist 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Rejection and Revenge
9 motifs
- False accusation after rejected desire 3 occurrences · 2 traditions
- greek
- greek roman
- Captive maiden taken from sanctuary and failed rescue 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- deceptive love charm becomes fatal poison 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- poisoned revenge gift disguised as love charm 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- rejected courtship invitation answered with death figures 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- finnish karelian
- rejected divine lover retaliates against rival 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Rejected forbidden passion turns toward revenge 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- rejected sorceress punishes beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- vengeance for absent beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
Not yet placed in a sub-family
746 motifs, showing the 60 most attested
- wooing by proxy 2 occurrences · 2 traditions
- greek
- native american southwest
- after-death reunion as consolation for mourners 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- native american great lakes
- Faithful spouse follows into hardship 2 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- abandoned beloved's self-death 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Absent beloved as cause of vengeance 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek
- absent beloved imagined as hidden in the natural landscape 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Absent companion remembered by an empty vessel 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- absent companion remembered by inverted empty cup 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Absent heroic husband promised as rescuer and avenger 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- admired maiden withheld by courtly custom 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- affinal or romantic ties overriding wartime sides 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- native american southeast
- all-pervading love as cosmic and natural power 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- greek roman
- angelically sanctioned marriage 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Anger of defeated suitors after bride award 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- Animal guardian watches over a concealed beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- zuni
- Animal household courtship through a servant intermediary 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- animal image of the future spouse 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- animal or fish beloved killed by another suitor or substitute 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- afro caribbean
- animal suitors tested by declared abilities and rejected 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- native american northwest coast
- archery wager for spouse selection 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- arduous task to win the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- arranged marriage resisted by the bride 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- ascetic or neglected suitor accepted by youngest daughter after elder refusals 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- slavic
- avenging quest over a lost spouse 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- awakening of love with brightening season 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- beautiful but inconstant beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- Beauty as decisive temptation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- beauty as garden and life-water 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Beauty as snare for reason and self-control 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- Beauty drawing suitors into mortal danger 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- roman
- Beloved abandoned through a deathbed marriage promise 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- beloved as healer of the love-sick suitor 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- beloved as healing sweetness 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- beloved as hunter and speaker as prey 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Beloved as perilous and unattainable goal 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- beloved as precious pearl contained in the eye 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- beloved as soul-sustenance amid separation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Beloved brings weapon to endangered hero 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- beloved companion shares exile 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- beloved delays hero's departure 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- Beloved described through snow, raven, and blood 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic welsh
- Beloved dies while the suitor is absent on a hunt 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- native american plains
- beloved encoded in natural imagery 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Beloved keeps vigil through song 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- Beloved maidens as inside helpers 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- beloved mirrored in natural imagery 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- beloved perceived truly only through the lover's vision 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- beloved's absence and endless lover's lament 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- persian
- beloved’s continuing loyalty revealed through aid 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- germanic
- Beloved’s hair as an ensnaring trap 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- Beloved’s illness brings grief to a powerful lover 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- sufi
- beloved's presence as heaven, absence as hell 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
- beloved saves and protects the hero from fate 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- egyptian
- Beloved searching through the forests 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- arthurian
- beloved sent to win a woman's cattle 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- celtic irish
- beloved vows death rather than separation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- egyptian
- Bereaved spouse follows the dead through self-starvation 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- arctic inuit
- Betel-nut exchange as courtship contact 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- filipino
- betrayed betrothal and loveless life 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- norse
- Bird as anticipated guide to the beloved 1 occurrences · 1 traditions
- hindu
Each motif link opens its evidence page: every tagged passage with its quote, and a path into the book where the passage lives.