Comparative mythology corpus

Sacred Vessel and Container

54 tagged occurrences across 14 traditions.

The sacred container # cauldron, grail, ark, pot, sealed jar # that holds life, death, wisdom, or transformative power. Includes vessels of resurrection, vessels of preservation, and vessels that must not be opened.

54total occurrences
54child motifs
14traditions present
900 BCE to 1849 CEknown era range

Child Motifs

Child MotifRelationshipOccurrencesTraditions
Cauldron Brought From A Lake By A Giant Stranger over_specific_label 1 1
Cave Refuge During Pursuit functional_variant 1 1
Cosmos As Inverted Vessel symbolic_variant 1 1
Forbidden Or Mistaken Opening Of A Container Holding Winds functional_variant 1 1
Healing Or Restoring Cup In An Enemy Stronghold functional_variant 1 1
Hidden Treasure Discovered Inside An Ordinary Container functional_variant 1 1
Inexhaustible Food And Drink Vessels functional_variant 1 1
Inexhaustible Or Unfillable Vessel Used As Trap functional_variant 1 1
Magic Vessel Moved By Command Or Will functional_variant 1 1
Personified Lamenting Vessel Awaiting Release symbolic_variant 1 1
Quest For A Ritual Feast Vessel functional_variant 1 1
Release Of Evils From A Sealed Container functional_variant 1 1
Restorative Enchanted Cup functional_variant 1 1
Sealed Mysterious Container From The Water symbolic_variant 1 1
Self Replenishing Vessel Signals Divine Presence functional_variant 1 1
Tide Dependent Magical Container functional_variant 1 1
Unfillable Container As Trap functional_variant 1 1
Universal Cup Of Destiny Or Death symbolic_variant 1 1
Wind Enclosed And Released From Knots Or Containers narrower_than 1 1
Cave Or Hidden Refuge For The Fearful functional_variant 1 1
Cave Refuge From Pursuers functional_variant 1 1
Contained Winds Released By Curiosity Causing Storm functional_variant 1 1
Container Of Human Afflictions functional_variant 1 1
Cosmos As Vessel symbolic_variant 1 1
Dangerous Container Opened From Impatience Or Greed functional_variant 1 1
Dangerous Trophy Kept In A Sealed Container functional_variant 1 1
Empty Cup Marking Absence Or Remembrance symbolic_variant 1 1
Fatal Flawed Vessel uncertain 1 1
Fire Assault On Sacred Or Protected Vessels functional_variant 1 1
Forbidden Opening Of A Guarded Container Releases Destructive Forces functional_variant 1 1
Giant Helper Launches Divine Vessel functional_variant 1 1
Heroic Vessel Consecrated And Placed Among The Stars symbolic_variant 1 1
Hidden Precious Vessel In A Poor Household symbolic_variant 1 1
Hidden Treasure Concealed In Humble Containers functional_variant 1 1
Hidden Treasure Entrusted In Ordinary Container functional_variant 1 1
Instant Aging After Release From A Sealed Object functional_variant 1 1
Leaky Vessel Of Insatiable Desire symbolic_variant 1 1
Magic Vessel Made From Chosen Tree functional_variant 1 1
Magical Cauldron Of Renewal child 1 1
Magical Cooking Vessel Requiring No Fuel functional_variant 1 1
Magical Vessel Made From Humble Materials symbolic_variant 1 1
Personified Vessels Longing For War symbolic_variant 1 1
Portable Sanctuary child 1 1
Powerful Being Confined In A Sealed Vessel functional_variant 1 1
Rescuer Threatened By The One He Frees functional_variant 1 1
Sacred Cauldron child 1 1
Sealed Spirit Vessel child 1 1
Sealed Vessel Containing Spirits alias 1 1
Severed Horn Becomes Sacred Abundance Vessel functional_variant 1 1
Speaking Vessel Questions Maker And Owner functional_variant 1 1
Speaking Vessel Questions Maker's Responsibility functional_variant 1 1
Speaking Vessels In A Potter's Workshop symbolic_variant 1 1
Vessel Fitted To One Body Excludes Another functional_variant 1 1
Vessel That Provides Nourishment And Releases Destructive Water functional_variant 1 1

Tradition Frequency

Relative bars compare traditions inside this family.

How Each Tradition Tells It

Evidence is collapsed by default so the page stays scannable.
Sufi

How This Tradition Tells It

8 occurrences

In Sufi, this family appears through Cosmos As Inverted Vessel (1), Universal Cup Of Destiny Or Death (1), Cosmos As Vessel (1). The strongest concentration is currently in The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam and Poems from the Divan of Hafiz. This is a deterministic summary of 8 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
Poems from the Divan of Hafiz XXXVIII / XXXIX / XLIII / NOTES; lines 3221-3341 high Sealed Vessel Containing Spirits record
The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam E.H. WHINFIELD, M.A. / INTRODUCTION / E.H. WHINFIELD / QUATRAINS OF OMAR KHAYYAM; lines 7843-8069 high Cosmos As Inverted Vessel record
The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam E.H. WHINFIELD, M.A. / INTRODUCTION / E.H. WHINFIELD / QUATRAINS OF OMAR KHAYYAM; lines 8071-8296 high Universal Cup Of Destiny Or Death record
The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam E.H. WHINFIELD, M.A. / INTRODUCTION / E.H. WHINFIELD / QUATRAINS OF OMAR KHAYYAM; lines 8524-8747 high Speaking Vessel Questions Maker And Owner record
The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam LXXIV. / LXXV. / TAMAM SHUD. / NOTES.; lines 1577-1697 medium Empty Cup Marking Absence Or Remembrance record
The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam LXXXIV. / LXXXV. / LXXXVI. / LXXXVII.; lines 4050-4072 high Speaking Vessel Questions Maker's Responsibility record
The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam MONSIEUR J.B. NICOLAS / THE QUATRAINS OF KHAYYAM / THE QUATRAINS OF OMAR KHAYYAM / FOOTNOTES:; lines 15580-15683 high Speaking Vessels In A Potter's Workshop record
The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam STANZA / STANZA / STANZA / STANZA; lines 4938-4986 medium Cosmos As Vessel record
Celtic Irish

How This Tradition Tells It

7 occurrences

In Celtic Irish, this family appears through Cave Refuge During Pursuit (1), Healing Or Restoring Cup In An Enemy Stronghold (1), Inexhaustible Food And Drink Vessels (1). The strongest concentration is currently in Gods and Fighting Men. This is a deterministic summary of 7 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
Gods and Fighting Men BOOK EIGHT: CNOC-AN-AIR. / CHAPTER I. TAILC, SON OF TREON / CHAPTER II. MEARGACH'S WIFE / CHAPTER III. AILNE'S REVENGE; lines 13484-13582 high Restorative Enchanted Cup record
Gods and Fighting Men BOOK EIGHT: CNOC-AN-AIR. / CHAPTER I. TAILC, SON OF TREON / CHAPTER II. MEARGACH'S WIFE / CHAPTER III. AILNE'S REVENGE; lines 13584-13678 high Healing Or Restoring Cup In An Enemy Stronghold record
Gods and Fighting Men BOOK FIVE: THE FATE OF THE CHILDREN OF LIR / PART TWO: THE FIANNA. / BOOK ONE: FINN, SON OF CUMHAL. / CHAPTER I. THE COMING OF FINN; lines 5669-5774 high Tide Dependent Magical Container record
Gods and Fighting Men BOOK SEVEN: DIARMUID AND GRANIA. / CHAPTER I. THE FLIGHT FROM TEAMHAIR / CHAPTER II. THE PURSUIT / CHAPTER III. THE GREEN CHAMPIONS; lines 11733-11826 high Cave Refuge During Pursuit record
Gods and Fighting Men CHAPTER IV. OISIN'S MOTHER. / CHAPTER V. THE BEST MEN OF THE FIANNA / BOOK TWO: FINN'S HELPERS / CHAPTER I. THE LAD OF THE SKINS; lines 6557-6658 high Magical Vessel Made From Humble Materials record
Gods and Fighting Men CHAPTER V. THE BEST MEN OF THE FIANNA / BOOK TWO: FINN'S HELPERS / CHAPTER I. THE LAD OF THE SKINS / CHAPTER II. BLACK, BROWN, AND GREY; lines 6714-6821 high Inexhaustible Food And Drink Vessels record
Gods and Fighting Men Part One, Book One, Chapter I: The Fight with the Firbolgs; Tuatha de Danaan arrival and four treasures medium Sacred Cauldron record
Islamicate Folklore

How This Tradition Tells It

7 occurrences

In Islamicate Folklore, this family appears through Hidden Treasure Discovered Inside An Ordinary Container (1), Sealed Mysterious Container From The Water (1), Hidden Treasure Concealed In Humble Containers (1). The strongest concentration is currently in The Arabian Nights Entertainments. This is a deterministic summary of 7 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
The Arabian Nights Entertainments The Arabian Nights Entertainments; lines 6769-6889 high Hidden Treasure Concealed In Humble Containers record
The Arabian Nights Entertainments The Arabian Nights Entertainments; lines 690-804 high Sealed Mysterious Container From The Water record
The Arabian Nights Entertainments The Arabian Nights Entertainments; lines 806-929 high Powerful Being Confined In A Sealed Vessel record
The Arabian Nights Entertainments The Arabian Nights Entertainments; lines 806-929 high Rescuer Threatened By The One He Frees record
The Arabian Nights Entertainments The Arabian Nights Entertainments; lines 9138-9247 high Hidden Treasure Entrusted In Ordinary Container record
The Arabian Nights Entertainments The Arabian Nights Entertainments; lines 9249-9360 high Hidden Treasure Discovered Inside An Ordinary Container record
The Arabian Nights Entertainments The Story of the Fisherman: sealed jar, murderous genius, and return to the vessel high Sealed Spirit Vessel record
Roman

How This Tradition Tells It

6 occurrences

In Roman, this family appears through Forbidden Or Mistaken Opening Of A Container Holding Winds (1), Self Replenishing Vessel Signals Divine Presence (1), Contained Winds Released By Curiosity Causing Storm (1). The strongest concentration is currently in The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books VIII-XV and The Aeneid of Virgil. This is a deterministic summary of 6 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
The Aeneid of Virgil BOOK EIGHTH / THE EMBASSAGE TO EVANDER / BOOK NINTH / THE SIEGE OF THE TROJAN CAMP; lines 5620-5714 medium Fire Assault On Sacred Or Protected Vessels record
The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books I-VII EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / BOOK THE SEVENTH. / EXPLANATION.; lines 11123-11206 high Magical Cauldron Of Renewal record
The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books VIII-XV BOOK THE FOURTEENTH. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION.; lines 10710-10786 high Contained Winds Released By Curiosity Causing Storm record
The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books VIII-XV BOOK THE FOURTEENTH. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION.; lines 10788-10883 high Forbidden Or Mistaken Opening Of A Container Holding Winds record
The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books VIII-XV EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / BOOK THE NINTH.; lines 2152-2232 high Severed Horn Becomes Sacred Abundance Vessel record
The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books VIII-XV EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION.; lines 1676-1772 high Self Replenishing Vessel Signals Divine Presence record
Japanese

How This Tradition Tells It

5 occurrences

In Japanese, this family appears through Dangerous Container Opened From Impatience Or Greed (1), Dangerous Trophy Kept In A Sealed Container (1), Fatal Flawed Vessel (1). The strongest concentration is currently in Japanese Fairy Tales. This is a deterministic summary of 5 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
Japanese Fairy Tales COMPILED BY / PREFACE / JAPANESE FAIRY TALES / MY LORD BAG OF RICE; lines 379-393 high Magical Cooking Vessel Requiring No Fuel record
Japanese Fairy Tales JAPANESE FAIRY TALES / MY LORD BAG OF RICE / THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW / THE STORY OF URASHIMA TARO, THE FISHER LAD; lines 1101-1205 high Instant Aging After Release From A Sealed Object record
Japanese Fairy Tales MY LORD BAG OF RICE / THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW / THE STORY OF URASHIMA TARO, THE FISHER LAD / THE FARMER AND THE BADGER; lines 1413-1523 high Fatal Flawed Vessel record
Japanese Fairy Tales PREFACE / JAPANESE FAIRY TALES / MY LORD BAG OF RICE / THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW; lines 614-726 medium Dangerous Container Opened From Impatience Or Greed record
Japanese Fairy Tales THE WHITE HARE AND THE CROCODILES / THE STORY OF PRINCE YAMATO TAKE / MOMOTARO, OR THE STORY OF THE SON OF A PEACH / THE OGRE OF RASHOMON; lines 6883-6997 high Dangerous Trophy Kept In A Sealed Container record
Finnish/Karelian

How This Tradition Tells It

4 occurrences

In Finnish/Karelian, this family appears through Magic Vessel Moved By Command Or Will (1), Personified Lamenting Vessel Awaiting Release (1), Magic Vessel Made From Chosen Tree (1). The strongest concentration is currently in Kalevala: The Epic Poem of Finland. This is a deterministic summary of 4 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
Kalevala: The Epic Poem of Finland JOHN MARTIN CRAWFORD. / THE KALEVALA. / PROEM / BOOK II; lines 16866-17047 high Personified Vessels Longing For War record
Kalevala: The Epic Poem of Finland JOHN MARTIN CRAWFORD. / THE KALEVALA. / PROEM / BOOK II; lines 20371-20542 high Personified Lamenting Vessel Awaiting Release record
Kalevala: The Epic Poem of Finland JOHN MARTIN CRAWFORD. / THE KALEVALA. / PROEM / BOOK II; lines 22275-22460 high Magic Vessel Moved By Command Or Will record
Kalevala: The Epic Poem of Finland PREFACE / JOHN MARTIN CRAWFORD. / THE KALEVALA. / PROEM; lines 8385-8568 high Magic Vessel Made From Chosen Tree record
Celtic Welsh

How This Tradition Tells It

3 occurrences

In Celtic Welsh, this family appears through Cauldron Brought From A Lake By A Giant Stranger (1), Inexhaustible Or Unfillable Vessel Used As Trap (1), Unfillable Container As Trap (1). The strongest concentration is currently in The Mabinogion. This is a deterministic summary of 3 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
The Mabinogion PEREDUR THE SON OF EVRAWC / GERAINT THE SON OF ERBIN / THE DREAM OF RHONABWY / PWYLL PRINCE OF DYVED; lines 6161-6214 high Inexhaustible Or Unfillable Vessel Used As Trap record
The Mabinogion PEREDUR THE SON OF EVRAWC / GERAINT THE SON OF ERBIN / THE DREAM OF RHONABWY / PWYLL PRINCE OF DYVED; lines 6216-6305 high Unfillable Container As Trap record
The Mabinogion PEREDUR THE SON OF EVRAWC / GERAINT THE SON OF ERBIN / THE DREAM OF RHONABWY / PWYLL PRINCE OF DYVED; lines 6666-6754 high Cauldron Brought From A Lake By A Giant Stranger record
Greek

How This Tradition Tells It

3 occurrences

In Greek, this family appears through Release Of Evils From A Sealed Container (1), Leaky Vessel Of Insatiable Desire (1), Vessel Fitted To One Body Excludes Another (1). The strongest concentration is currently in Aesop's Fables; a new translation and Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica. This is a deterministic summary of 3 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
Aesop's Fables; a new translation THE MISTRESS AND HER SERVANTS / THE GOODS AND THE ILLS / THE HARES AND THE FROGS / THE FOX AND THE STORK; lines 1342-1353 high Vessel Fitted To One Body Excludes Another record
Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica INTRODUCTION / BIBLIOGRAPHY / HESIOD / HESIODS WORKS AND DAYS; lines 1623-1702 high Release Of Evils From A Sealed Container record
The Republic The Republic / THE REPUBLIC / INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS.; lines 5259-5329 medium Leaky Vessel Of Insatiable Desire record
Greek/Roman

How This Tradition Tells It

3 occurrences

In Greek/Roman, this family appears through Container Of Human Afflictions (1), Forbidden Opening Of A Guarded Container Releases Destructive Forces (1), Heroic Vessel Consecrated And Placed Among The Stars (1). The strongest concentration is currently in Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome. This is a deterministic summary of 3 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome ALCMAEON AND THE NECKLACE. / THE HERACLIDAE. / THE SIEGE OF TROY. / RETURN OF THE GREEKS FROM TROY.; lines 10110-10199 high Forbidden Opening Of A Guarded Container Releases Destructive Forces record
Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome CADMUS. / PERSEUS. / THE ARGONAUTS. / STORY OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE.; lines 7432-7522 high Heroic Vessel Consecrated And Placed Among The Stars record
Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome RETURN OF THE GREEKS FROM TROY. / PRONOUNCING INDEX. / A COMPLETE COURSE IN THE STUDY OF ENGLISH. / NOTES; lines 11638-11773 medium Container Of Human Afflictions record
Buddhist

How This Tradition Tells It

2 occurrences

In Buddhist, this family appears through Hidden Precious Vessel In A Poor Household (1), Vessel That Provides Nourishment And Releases Destructive Water (1). The strongest concentration is currently in Buddhist birth stories; or, Jataka tales, Volume 1 and The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India. This is a deterministic summary of 2 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
Buddhist birth stories; or, Jataka tales, Volume 1 GLORY BE TO THE BLESSED, THE HOLY, THE ALL-WISE ONE. / BOOK I. / END OF THE STORY ON HOLDING TO THE TRUTH. / END OF THE STORY OF THE SANDY ROAD.; lines 8039-8169 high Hidden Precious Vessel In A Poor Household record
The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India THE GIANT CRAB / THE HYPOCRITICAL CAT / THE CROCODILE AND THE MONKEY / THE AXE, THE DRUM, THE BOWL, AND THE DIAMOND; lines 507-608 high Vessel That Provides Nourishment And Releases Destructive Water record
Islamic

How This Tradition Tells It

2 occurrences

In Islamic, this family appears through Cave Or Hidden Refuge For The Fearful (1), Cave Refuge From Pursuers (1). The strongest concentration is currently in The Koran (Al-Qur'an). This is a deterministic summary of 2 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
The Koran (Al-Qur'an) IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER VIII. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER IX.; lines 18188-18276 medium Cave Or Hidden Refuge For The Fearful record
The Koran (Al-Qur'an) THE KORAN. / PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE / SECTION I. / SECTION II.; lines 2914-2964 high Cave Refuge From Pursuers record
Norse

How This Tradition Tells It

2 occurrences

In Norse, this family appears through Quest For A Ritual Feast Vessel (1), Giant Helper Launches Divine Vessel (1). The strongest concentration is currently in Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas. This is a deterministic summary of 2 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas CHAPTER XVI: VALI / CHAPTER XVII: THE NORNS / CHAPTER XVIII: THE VALKYRS / CHAPTER XIX: HEL; lines 7085-7194 medium Quest For A Ritual Feast Vessel record
Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas CHAPTER XVIII: THE VALKYRS / CHAPTER XIX: HEL / L. E. R. / CHAPTER XXI: BALDER; lines 7698-7821 medium Giant Helper Launches Divine Vessel record
Biblical

How This Tradition Tells It

1 occurrences

In Biblical, this family appears through Portable Sanctuary (1). The strongest concentration is currently in Exodus. This is a deterministic summary of 1 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
Exodus Exodus 32:1-20; 34:1-10; 40:17-38 medium Portable Sanctuary record
Comparative

How This Tradition Tells It

1 occurrences

In Comparative, this family appears through Wind Enclosed And Released From Knots Or Containers (1). The strongest concentration is currently in The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2). This is a deterministic summary of 1 tagged motif occurrences, not a claim of historical transmission.

TextLine RangeConfidenceChild MotifExtraction
The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2) PREFACE. / J. G. FRAZER. / CHAPTER I. THE KING OF THE WOOD. / MACAULAY.; lines 854-921 high Wind Enclosed And Released From Knots Or Containers record
Converges

Shared Structure

The convergence is broad rather than concentrated in one child motif: traditions repeatedly tag passages into this family while emphasizing locally different scenes.

Diverges

Local Emphasis

Celtic Welsh leans toward Cauldron Brought From A Lake By A Giant Stranger; Islamic leans toward Cave Or Hidden Refuge For The Fearful; Celtic Irish leans toward Cave Refuge During Pursuit; Roman leans toward Forbidden Or Mistaken Opening Of A Container Holding Winds; Greek/Roman leans toward Container Of Human Afflictions; Sufi leans toward Cosmos As Inverted Vessel.

Comparison Mode

Reading Rule

structuralthematiccontact not inferred

Timeline

Approximate eras from the cultural timeline index.
ca. 900-400 BCE

Pentateuch

Biblical - Ancient Israelite Torah composition and redaction - 1 tagged occurrences

ca. 750-400 BCE

Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica

Greek - Archaic Greek poetic and hymnic tradition - 3 tagged occurrences

ca. 750-650 BCE

The Iliad

Greek - Archaic Greek heroic epic tradition - 3 tagged occurrences

ca. 300-100 BCE

Dhammapada, a Collection of Verses

Buddhist - Early Buddhist verse collection - 2 tagged occurrences

ca. 610-632 CE

The Koran (Al-Qur'an)

Islamic - Early Islamic revelation corpus - 2 tagged occurrences

ca. 800-1200 CE source traditions; 1905 retelling

Gods and Fighting Men

Celtic Irish - Medieval Irish mythic and heroic material - 7 tagged occurrences

ca. 800-1270 CE

The Poetic Edda

Norse - Old Norse mythological and heroic poetic tradition - 2 tagged occurrences

ca. 1100-1400 CE

The Mabinogion

Celtic Welsh - Medieval Welsh narrative and romance tradition - 3 tagged occurrences

1835-1849 CE compilation

Kalevala: The Epic Poem of Finland

Finnish/Karelian - Finnish/Karelian oral-poetry epic compilation - 4 tagged occurrences