Ancient Wisdom Atlas

Motif

fatal loss or capture of reflection-soul in water

fatal_loss_or_capture_of_reflection_soul_in_water

A motif of the External Soul and Life-Token family, within the sub-family Reflections and Reflected Bodily Substances. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.

1 occurrences

1 traditions


comparative

  • The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2) CHAPTER I. THE KING OF THE WOOD. / MACAULAY. / CHAPTER II. THE PERILS OF THE SOUL. / HEINE.; lines 3606-3684 confidence: high

    Zulu, Basuto, and Saddle Island examples describe dangerous pools, crocodiles, or a malignant spirit that can take, drag under, or seize a person’s reflection or life, causing death.

    Water-beings or powers are said to take, drag under, or seize a reflection, causing the person to die; related taboos warn against looking at reflections in water.

    read in the book