TSV

Aarne-Thompson Type Index - TSV

The Aarne-Thompson Type Index (AT Index) is a folktale classification system originally developed by Finnish folklorist Antti Aarne in 1910 and later expanded by American folklorist Stith Thompson. It systematically classifies European and Middle Eastern folktales by narrative patterns, organizing approximately 2,500 tale types into seven major categories including Animal Tales, Tales of Magic, and Religious Tales. In 2004, German folklorist Hans-Jörg Uther revised it as the ATU Index, and it continues to be widely used as an international standard classification in folklore studies.

folklore folktales fairy tales tale classification comparative folklore studies

code	slug	name	description	rangeEnd	rangeStart
1-299	animal-tales	Animal Tales	Tales featuring animals as protagonists and their interactions with each other or with humans.	299	1
300-749	tales-of-magic	Tales of Magic	The most complex and elaborate folktales featuring magic and supernatural elements.	749	300
750-849	religious-tales	Religious Tales	Religious folktales centered on Christian saints and divine blessings and punishments.	849	750
850-999	realistic-tales	Realistic Tales	Tales set in everyday situations without magic or supernatural elements.	999	850
1000-1199	tales-of-the-stupid-ogre	Tales of the Stupid Ogre	Tales where powerful supernatural beings are outwitted by weaker characters.	1199	1000
1200-1999	anecdotes-and-jokes	Anecdotes and Jokes	Short stories and anecdotes intended for humor and laughter.	1999	1200
2000-2399	formula-tales	Formula Tales	Tales based on repetitive patterns or fixed formulas.	2399	2000