Motif
tears transformed into precious substance
tears_transformed_into_precious_substance
A motif of the Shapeshifter and Transformation family. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
2 occurrences
2 traditions
germanic
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Teutonic Mythology, Volume 3 GEOUND-IVY. DEVIL' S-BIT. GOOD HENKY. / HE BBS AND STONES. / DOSTB. WAYBKEAD. LEEK. / HERBS AND STONES.; lines 18535-18579 confidence: high
The pearl is linked with tears: Venus’s tear produces a pearl, Freyja’s tears become gold, and Wainamoinen’s tears fall into the sea as pearls.
Venus’s tear becomes a pearl, Freyja’s tears become gold, Wainamoinen’s tears become pearls in the sea, and Phaethon’s sisters’ tears produce electrum, gold, or amber.
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roman
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The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books I-VII EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / BOOK THE SECOND. / EXPLANATION.; lines 3266-3355 confidence: high
Tears flow from the new branches; amber hardens in the sun, is received by the clear river, and is sent to be worn by Latian matrons.
Tears from the new branches become amber, harden in the sun, and enter human ornament use.
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