Available Variants
Bluebeard
A wealthy nobleman with a terrible blue beard sought a wife. Despite his riches, women were afraid of him because all his previous wives had vanished. At last a young woman agreed to marry him. Shortly after the wedding, Bluebeard gave her all his keys and said she could open any door in the house except one small closet.
Of course, curiosity overcame her. She opened the forbidden door and found the bodies of Bluebeard's previous wives hanging from the walls, their throats cut. The key became stained with blood that she could not wash away. When Bluebeard returned and saw the bloodstained key, he drew his sword to kill her. Her brothers arrived at the last moment and slew Bluebeard.
Field Notes
My Folklore Journal
Record your thoughts, motifs you noticed, or personal connections to this tale.
Written by Charles Perrault in 1697, the tale may be based on the real-life serial killer Gilles de Rais, who fought alongside Joan of Arc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Editorial Review
Reviewed by
Dr. Eleanor Vance, Folklore Studies
Last updated
April 1, 2026
Sources & References
- 1.Aarne, A. & Thompson, S. — The Types of the Folktale (1961)
- 2.Lindahl, C. — European Folklore: An Encyclopedia (2004)
- 3.Dorson, R. — Peasant Customs and Savage Myths (1968)
Community Discussion
I love how this variant emphasizes the role of the magical helper. It's so different from the version I grew up with!
The ATU 510A classification really helps in seeing the structural similarities with Ye Xian. Fascinating stuff.
