The Aarne-Thompson Classification System
The Aarne-Thompson Classification System is a pivotal tool in the study of folktales and mythologies, developed initially by Finnish folklorist Antti Aarne and later expanded by American scholar Stith Thompson. This system categorizes tales and motifs based on their narrative content, serving as a global index for folklore research.
Origins and Development
The classification system was first introduced by Antti Aarne in 1910, with his work ‘The Types of the Folktale’. It was an attempt to catalog the Finnish folktale tradition, but its potential for broader application soon became evident. In 1928, Stith Thompson translated and expanded it, creating the Aarne-Thompson system. This version not only widened the geographical scope but also refined the classification categories.
Structure and Categories
At its core, the Aarne-Thompson system organizes tales into broad categories based on their narrative structure and primary elements. These include Animal Tales (Type 1-299), Ordinary Folktales (300-749), Jokes and Anecdotes (750-849), and Formula Tales (850-999). Each tale type is further assigned a unique AT number, facilitating easy reference and comparison across cultures and languages.
Significance in Folklore Studies
The system's greatest contribution is its facilitation of comparative folklore studies. By providing a standardized framework, it enables researchers to identify parallels and variations across different cultures. This comparative approach has been instrumental in tracing the origins, migration, and evolution of folktales.
The Mythology Index (TMI)
The Mythology Index represents an ambitious new project, directly inspired by the foundational Aarne-Thompson Classification System. Just as the Aarne-Thompson system brought a revolutionary order to the diverse world of folktales, categorizing them into identifiable types and motifs, the Mythology Index aims to cast a similar light onto the rich tapestry of world mythology. This pioneering effort seeks to catalog the vast array of deities, heroes, creatures, and mythical narratives from various cultures into a coherent, accessible system. By doing so, the Mythology Index not only pays homage to the legacy of Aarne and Thompson but also extends it into new realms, offering scholars, enthusiasts, and storytellers alike a unique tool for exploring and understanding the intricate web of global mythological traditions. With this endeavor, we stand on the shoulders of giants, aiming to bring clarity and insight into the complex and often overlapping world of myth, just as the Aarne-Thompson system did for folktales.
See Also
The Uther Index, a refinement to the Aarne-Thompson System, introduced by Hans-Jörg Uther in 2004, which incorporates more comprehensive and detailed categorizations.
A Casual Girl’s Guide to Using the ATU Index by Hannah Mummert
