A category in the ATU Index representing a specific narrative pattern shared across multiple variants and cultures.
A tale type is a classification unit in folktale taxonomy representing a distinct, recognizable story pattern. Each tale type in the ATU Index is defined by its core plot elements — the minimal sequence of events that must be present for a story to be classified under that type. For example, ATU 333 (Little Red Riding Hood) requires: a young person visits a relative, encounters a predator, the predator disguises itself, a recognition scene occurs, and rescue or devouring follows. The same tale type can manifest in hundreds of culturally distinct variants while maintaining the same skeletal structure. Tale types enable cross-cultural comparison and historical tracking of story migration.
The Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index is a catalog of international folktale types used by folklorists to identify and compare story patterns across cultures.
A recurring element, such as an object, character type, or plot point, that appears in many different stories.
A version of a folktale that differs from other tellings in details while maintaining the same core narrative structure.