Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 3, 1892.djvu/335

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An Analysis of certain Finnish Origins.
327

a stone is real or metaphorical. Compare the metaphorical use of earth, tree, and horse's mane in the Kirghis legend quoted above under 2a.

12. L. S. originated from O. Some external likeness between them. Inconsequentially all its members are made of all sorts of contemptuous or harmful things.

Though the raven is generated from charcoal sticks, or from coals on a charcoal hill, yet its head is said to be made of potsherds, its legs of Hiisi's spindles, his beak of a sorcerer's arrow-tip, etc. (15a, b)

13. S. is generated from several O.s, which are both physical objects and mental emotions.

Skin eruption, conceived as a human being, is by birth from the earth, and results from the resentment of the earth, of water, or the hidden venom of a frog (34a).

The Swabians believe that when anyone commits suicide by hanging himself, a great storm arises because the pure air is enraged at being defiled by a corpse.[1] In other words, S. (a gale) is originated from the resentment of O. (air).

14. S. is made from O. by a magic song.

A boat is made from a piece of oak by Väinämöinen, through singing magic songs (27).

15. L. S originated from O. by an action (blowing). Some external likeness betiveen L. S. and O. The character of the agent is reflected in L. S.

A snake is produced from a hollow reed into which a fiend blew (11f). In Finnish poetry 'hollow reed' is an occasional synonyme for a snake. The action of blowing was evidently intended to impart life, and as the agent was a fiend, the creature he thus animated became possessed of evil qualities.

16. L. S. originated from O. by an action (gnawing). Though there is no likeness between L. S. and O., yet there is a relation betiveen them. The character of the agent is reflected in L. S.

  1. Meyer, op. cit., p. 257.