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List of string figures

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The following is a list of string figures, various figures which can be made using a loop of string, and which occur in games such as cat's cradle. Most of the titles are translations and/or descriptions.

Format

Explanation of the format of these listings:

  • "name 1" (location of name), [specific citation] "name 2" (location 2): opening position[, extension, notes] [general citation]
  • subsequent figures

List

File:Opeinga.jpg

File:Osage Two Diamonds Jayne Fig 56.jpg

File:Heraklas Plinthios Brokhos Jaw Sling.jpg' "Plinthios Brokhos" made in a doubled cord. Resembles "A Hole in the Tree" with different crossings.]]

File:Cats-cradle.svg

File:Թելախաղ 4.png

File:Թելախաղ 6.png

File:Թելախաղ 11.png

File:Թելախաղ 13.png

File:Թելախաղ 15.png

File:Թելախաղ 18.png

File:String figure.tiff's tribal mythology of menstrual synchrony.{{cite book |first=C. |last=Knight |year=1995 |title=Blood Relations: Menstruation and the Origins of Culture |location=New Haven and London |publisher=Yale University Press |page=445}} Figure re-drawn after {{cite book |first=F. D. |last=McCarthy |year=1960 |chapter=The string figures of Yirrkalla |editor1-first=C. P. |editor1-last=Mountford |title=Records of the American-Australian Scientific Expedition in Arnhem Land |volume=2 |pages=415–513 [466] |series=Anthropology and Nutrition |publisher=Melbourne University Press}}]]

File:Inuit Fadenspiel.jpg (1906/1962), [https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:String_Figures_and_How_to_Make_Them.djvu&page=415 String Figures and How to Make Them], p.xix. {{ISBN|0-486-20152-X}}. Collected by Klutschak from old men in King William Land.]]

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  • "Ace of Diamonds" (Hawaii: "E-ke-ma-nu"): position 1, similar to Cat's cradle's "Mattress"Elffers, Joost and Schuyt, Michael (1979). Cat's Cradle and Other String Figures, p.196. Translation of Das Hexenspiel (1978). {{ISBN|0140052011}}.Jayne (1962), p.372-75. Collected by Stewart Culin from four Hawaiian sailors, Aka (Kamehameha), Daviese Kahimoku, Welakahao, and Hale Paka (Harry Park), from Honolulu (????).
  • "Big Star" (Navajo)
  • "Ace of Hearts" (Hawaii: "E-ke-pe-ki"): ???
  • "Ace of Spades" (Hawaii: "E-ke-ha-ka"): ???
  • "Andromeda Galaxy" (invented): opening AInternational String Figure Association (ISFA) (1996/1999). Fascinating String Figures, p.75. {{ISBN|0486404005}}. Invented by Felix Paturi in Rodenbach, Germany.
  • "Antares" (Nauru): opening A"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/march_2013/antares_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: Antares]", ISFA.org. Collected by Honor Maude in Nauru.
  • "Apache Door" (Apache),Jayne (1962), p.12. Collected by Jayne from a girl in New Mexico (1904). "Pancho" (Navajo), "Sling" (Zuni), "Tent Door"/"String Bag"/"Horde"/"Poncho"/"Streamers"/"Fish Net"Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.88. (N. America): opening A,[https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:String_Figures_and_How_to_Make_Them.djvu&page=44 Jayne (1906), p.12-15]. (Navajo): position 1Gryski, Camilla (1983). Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes: A Book of String Games, p.58. {{ISBN|0-688-03941-3}}.
  • "Apache Teepee" (Apache): nonstandardJayne (1962), p.246. Collected by Jayne from an Apache woman, Darcia Tafoya, in Jicarilla, New Mexico (1904).
  • "Arms" (Nunivak Inuit: "moguk"): ???Jayne (1962), p.359-66. Inuit figures with no instructions collected by Dr. George B. Gordon in Alaska on an expedition for the Philadelphia Free Museum of Science and Art (????).
  • "Legs" ("eruk")
  • "Arrow" (Navajo: "Ka"): opening AJayne (1962), p.133. Collected by Jayne from Zah Tso & sister (1904).
  • "Baby Being Born" (Wadaman): position 1ISFA (1999), p.21. Collected by Daniel Sutherland Davidson in Northern Australia (????).
  • "Bagobo Diamonds" (Bagobo, also Linao Moros): opening AJayne (1962), p.43 & 46. Collected by Jayne from a, "young man," in the Vietnamese section at the St. Louis Expo (1904).
  • "Bagobo Two Diamonds" (Bagobo): opening A
  • "Bear's Den" (Kwakiutl):Averkieva, Julia and Sherman, Mark (1992). Kwakiutl String Figures, p.12. {{ISBN|029597172X}}.
  • "Bear" (Kwakiutl), "Dog" (N. Alaska, W. Greenland), "Fox" (Mackenzie, W. Copper, Netsilik, Iglulik)Averkieva & Sherman (1992), p.13 and 10.
  • "Porcupine" (Kwakiutl), "Man Kneeling" (Caribou), "Hunter Approaching a Seal on Ice" (Netsilik)Averkieva & Sherman (1992), p.11.
  • "Goose" (Kwakiutl)
  • "Bird" (Papua): position 1Gryski (1983), p.52.
  • "Bird House" (Hawaii: "A-na-ma-nu"): ???
  • "Bird's Nest" (Navajo): position 1Jayne (1962), p.314. Collected by Jayne from Tso et al (1904).
  • "Bow" (Navajo: "Atl-ti"): Navajo openingJayne (1962), p.212. Collected by Jayne from Tso and sister (1904).
  • "Breastbone and Ribs" (Inuit: "Grut"): ribcage openingJayne (1962), p.. Collected by Jayne from Chief Zaroff (1904).
  • "Breasts" (Hawaii: "Wai-u-la-wa"): ???
  • "Brush House" (Zuni: "Pi-cho-wai, ham-pun-nai"), "Hut" (Pueblo: "Nathu"), (Klamath): nonstandardJayne (1962), p.301 & 307. Collected by John L. Cox in Hampton, Virginia from a Pueblo Indian, Antonio Abeita, from Isleta, New Mexico and from Emma Jackson (????), also Culin.
  • "Six-Pointed Star": continuation
  • "Butterfly" (Navajo: "Ga-lo-ki/'Ga-hi-ki"): Navajo openingElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.84.Jayne (1962), p.219. Collected by Jayne from Tso et al. (1904).
  • "Butterfly" (Nauru: "Ijewaioi"): ???
  • "Candle Thief" (England, Ireland, Germany): nonstandardElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.136. With story.
  • "Canoe with Two Masts" (Torres Straits: "Nar"): opening A, requires two people or use of a toeJayne (1962), p.195. Collected by Haddon, published first by Jayne.
  • "Canoe with Two Sails" (Gilbert Islands, chant: Te Wa Ma le-Na): opening AElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.185.
  • "Caribou" (Cumberland Sound Inuit: "Tuktuqdjung"),Jayne (1962), p.124. Collected by Dr. Boas in Baffin Land. "Caribou" (St. Michael Island Inuit: "tuk-tuk"): opening A
  • "Caroline Islands Catch" (Ngatik): opening A, similar to "King Fish"Jayne (1962), p.142. Collected by W.H. Furness from Emily on their way to the Caroline Islands (1902).
  • "Caroline Islands Diamonds" (Ngatik): nonstandard, Caroline extensionJayne (1962), p.260. Collected by Furness from a woman, Emily, in the Caroline Islands (????).
  • "Carrying Bundles of Wood" (Navajo): opening AElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.200.
  • "Casting the Fish-Spear" (Torres Straits): opening A,Jayne (1962), p.131. Collected but not published by Haddon. similar to "Fish-Spear"
  • "Catching a Cockroach" (Samoa): nonstandardISFA (1999), p.27. Collected by Peter H. Buck in the South Pacific (????).
  • Cat's cradle (Europe),Gryski (1983), p.63. game of string (Russia),Buchanan, Andrea J. and Peskowitz, Miriam (2007). The Daring Book for Girls, p.277. {{ISBN|978-0-06-147257-2}}. kang sok (Southern China: "well rope"),[https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:String_Figures_and_How_to_Make_Them.djvu&page=367 Jayne, C. F. (1906/1962), p.324.] Jack in the PulpitAnderson, John P. (2010). Joyce's Finnegans Wake: The Curse of Kabbalah, Volume 4, p.301. {{ISBN|978-1-59942-810-9}}. (regional U.S.): Cradle
  • 1: "Cradle": around wristsElffers and Schuyt (1979), p.27.
  • 2: "Soldier's Bed", "Mattress"Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.100.
  • 3: "Candles", "Calm Sea"
  • 4: "Manger", "Upturned Cradle"
  • End: "Saw"
  • 5 & 12: "Diamonds", Carpet, (Russia) "Mattress Turned Over"
  • 6: "Cat's Eye"
  • 7: "Fish in a Dish", "Pig on Pegs"
  • 10: "Hand Drum"/"Scraggly"
  • End: "Two Royal Crowns"/"Grandfather Clock"
  • End: "Lucky Tea Kettle"
  • "Chicken Bum" (Guianas, Peru, Sierra Leone), "Wink" (Hawaii): nonstandardElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.34.
  • "Chochaío" (Palau: "Bird"): opening B"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/january_2013/chochaio_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: Chochaio Bird]", ISFA.org. Collected by Father Raymund (????).
  • "Circles and Triangles" (Ngatik: Bur-bur-ani jau): opening AJayne (1962), p.146. Collected by Furness from Emily on their way to the Caroline Islands (1902).
  • "Clothes Line" (Cape Prince of Wales Inuit: "iniarat"): ???
  • "Cobweb" (Whanganui): position 1ISFA (1999), p.24. Collected by Johannes Carl Andersen in New Zealand (????).
  • "Coconut Net" (Gilbert Islands: "Teibu Te Tatai"): around wristsElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.204.
  • "Coral" (Uap: "Melang"): opening A, Caroline extensionJayne (1962), p.176. Collected by Furness, from Lemet, a Uap Mispil, in Dulukan (????).
  • "Variation of Coral" (invented)Jayne (1962), p.393.
  • "Cup and Saucer" (Europe),Gryski (1983), p.18.Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.31. "Sake Cup"/"House" (Japan), "Canoe with Outrigger" (New Caledonia), "Skinning the Bison"/"Dressing a Skin"Jayne (1962), p.30. Collected by Harlan I. Smith in Thompson River B.C. on the Jesup North Pacific Expedition (1897–1902). Upside down compared to "Cup and Saucer". (Salish): opening A
  • "Owl's Eyes" (Europe): opening AGryski (1983), p.20.
  • "Cutting the Hand" (Inuit): opening AGryski (1983), p.28.
  • "Dancer" (Caroline and Loyalty Islands): position 1Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.182.

  • "Diadem",Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.148. "Jacob's Ladder" (Europe),Gryski (1983), p.40. "Osage Diamonds" (Osage),Jayne (1962), p.24. Collected by Jayne in Pawhuska (1904), also exists in Hawaii. "Fence"/"Ladder" (Irish), "Calabesh Net" (Africa), "Le pont de Quebec" (Quebec, "Quebec Bridge"): opening A
  • "Cat's Whiskers" (Europe): continuation
  • "Eiffel Tower" (Europe): continuation
  • "Witch's Hat" (Europe): continuation
  • "King's Crown" (Germany): variation"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/august_2013/crown_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: King's Crown]", ISFA.org. Collected by Erik Kaas Nielsen from a sixth grade student, Susanne Nielsen, at Brøndbyvester School, Copenhagen (1965).
  • "Dog On a Leash" (Nunivak Island Inuit: "kaymuchta"): ???
  • "Dog with Large Ears" (Copper Inuit): nonstandardISFA (1999), p.59. Collected by Diamond Jenness in Canada (????).
  • "Dravidian Trick" (Dravidian):Jayne (1962), p.345. Collected by Dr. S. Levinstein from traveling Dravidians in Leipzig (????).
  • "Drunken Tree" (Eastern Toba): opening A"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/october_2013/drunken_tree_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: A Drunken Tree]", ISFA.org. Collected by Isabel Balducci in Gran Chaco, Argentina (????).
  • "Eel" (Papua), "Catching Crabs" (Gilbert Islands): nonstandardGryski (1985). Many Stars and More String Games, p.20. {{ISBN|0688057926}}.
  • "Egarawinago" (Nauru: "Lady of Quality"): ???
  • "Egona and Egameang Sitting On a Stone" (Nauru): ???
  • "Erupting Volcano" (Mapuche): opening AISFA (1999), p.55. Collected by Raul Martinez-Crovetto in Norther Patagonia, Argentina (????).
  • "Fighting Head-hunters" (Torres Straits: Ares, or Murray and Duaur men fighting): opening AJayne (1962), p.16. Collected by Dr. Haddon on the Cambridge Anthropological Expedition (1898), see Rivers and Haddon (1902, p.150).
  • "Find the Owl" (Navajo): opening A
  • "Flint and Steel" (Yap: "Nifi")/"Origin of Fire" (Torres Straits),Jayne (1962), p.320. Collected by Furness from a boy, Gumaun, in the Caroline Islands (????). Collected by Haddon in the Torres Straits (1898). "Chellaba" (Africa: "turn over"),Gryski (1985), p.26. "Tinder-box"Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.138. (Caroline Islands): position 1
  • "Finger Catch" (Chippewa): nonstandardJayne (1962), p.346. Collected Jayne from a Chippewa Chief at the St. Louis Expo (1904), and by Furness from a Yap boy (1902).
  • "Fire Drill" (Kwakiutl): opening BAverkieva & Sherman (1992), p.7.
  • "Fish" (???): Murray openingElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.188.
  • "Pig" (Lifu Island, Loyalty Islands)Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.187.
  • "Frog" (Patomana, British Guiana)
  • "Silau" (Papuan, Goodenough Island: "Evil Spirit"): Murray opening
  • "Fish-Spear" (Torres Straits: "Baur"),Rivers and Haddon (1902), p.149, fig.1. Cited in Jayne (1962), p.32.Gryski (1983), p.22.Jayne (1962), p.32. Salish collected by Harlan I. Smith in Thompson River (1897–1902), Clayoquaht by Haddon at St. Louis Exposition (1904), Zuni by Stewart Culin in New Mexico (????). "Pitching a Tent" (Salish, B.C.), "Sea-Egg (Echinus) Spear" (Clayoquaht), "Duck Spear" (Alaska), "Coconut Palm Tree" (Africa), "Parachute" (Europe),Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.42. "Witches Broom" (Europe): position 1, similar to "Hogan" but with three lines, and similar to "Casting the Fish-Spear"

  • "Floor Mat" (Nauru): ???
  • "Flower" (Navajo): position 1"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/november_2013/flower_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: A Flower]", ISFA.org. Collected by Will Wirt from a student at Navajo Mountain High School, Utah (????).
  • "Fly"/"Mosquito"/"Smashing a Coconut"/"Flying Fox" (Solomon IslandsGryski (1983), p.54.): nonstandardElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.38.
  • "Fly On the Nose" (Torres Straits: "Buli"): nonstandard, trickJayne (1962), p.348. Collected by Haddon (????).
  • "Flying Bird" (South Sea Islands): position 1Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.75.
  • "Four Boys Hand-in-Hand" (Australia): Murray opening
  • "Fox and Whale" (King Island Inuit: "achvuk-tezeuk"): position 1ISFA (1999), p.66. Collected by G.B. Gordon in King Island (first print in Jayne 1906).
  • "Ghost Dance" (New Guinea): two personGryski (1985), p.32.
  • "Gated Well"/"Well" (South Sea Islands),Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.76. "Velovelo" (Fiji: "Dugout Canoe"), "Ti Meta" (Murray Island: "Ti Bird's Nest"),Jayne (1962), p.85. Collected by Haddon from a native from Lifu in Mabuiag (????) "Basket"/"Wooden Food Bowl" (???): opening AGryski (1985), p.36 & 38.
  • "Fence Around the Well": continuation (Lifu: Sihnag)Jayne (1962), p.88.
  • "Crab" (Kiwai Island: "Kokowa"): continuationJayne (1962), p.89. Collected by Rivers & Haddon in Saguane (????).
  • "Variation of the Crab" (invented)Jayne (1962), p.394.
  • "Giraffe Eating Grass" (Japan): opening A, variation of "Two Brown Bears""[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/february_2013/giraffe_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: Giraffe Eating Grass]", ISFA.org. Invented by Kazuo Kamiya of Saitama, Japan.
  • "Ha-le-ku-mu-ma-ka-a" (Hawaii): ???
  • "Hammock" (Muslim): position 1ISFA (1999), p.29. Collected by James Hornell in Zanzibar Island (????).
  • "Hammock [Weaving]" (N. or S. America): two personElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.53.
  • "'Hanging'" (Philippines & Yap): nonstandard, trickJayne (1962), p.339. Collected by Jayne from Linao Moro and Negrito Filipinos (1904) and by Furness from Dakofel in the Caroline Islands (????).
  • "Hare" (Inuit: "Ukaliaqdjung"): ???Jayne (1962), p.371. Collected without instructions by Dr. Boas in Cumberland Sound.
  • "Hawk" (Wardaman): opening A, two peopleElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.118.
  • "Headhunters" (Murray island): opening AElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.156.
  • "Hill and Two Ponds" (Inuit: "Qaqaqdjung Sesinging"): ???
  • "Hogan" (Navajo): nonstandard,Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.47. "Parachute" with four lines
  • "House" (Australia): around wrists, two peopleElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.110.
  • "House" (Yap: "Naun", Maori, North Queensland): opening A, two peopleJayne (1962), p.200. Collected by Furness from a boy in West Carolines (1902).
  • "Hull of a Ship" (Nauru: "Deimano"):Jayne (1962), p.367-71. Nauru figures without instructions given to Furness as prepared mounted illustrations by E. Stephen in Pleasant Island (????).
  • "Hunter Stalking a Seal" (Inuit): position 1"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/september_2013/seal_hunter_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: A Hunter Stalking a Seal]", ISFA.org. Collected by Guy Mary-Rousselière in Pelly Bay, Nunavut, Canada (????).
  • "Ibunemun" (Nauru: "Man"): ???
  • "Iburenio" (Nauru: a growth in the tomana tree): opening A
  • "Japanese Butterfly" (Japan): nonstandardGryski (1983), p.32.Gryski (1985), p.24.
  • "Kani Mumun" (Gilbert Islands: 'dispersing clouds' or 'flight of the conquered'): position 1Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.186.
  • "King Fish" (Murray Island: "Geigi", Mabuiag: "Dangal"[Dugong/Sea-cow]), "Kamo" (Torres Straits: "The Thief"):Gryski (1985), p.48 & 50. opening A,Jayne (1962), p.39. Collected by Haddon in Torres Straits (????). similar to "Caroline Islands Catch"
  • "King's Throne"/"The Bed" (Gilbert Islands: Bao-n te nea): opening AElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.183.
  • "Kiwi" (Maori): opening AElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.93.
  • "Ko-he" (Hawaii): ???
  • "Laia Flower"/"Lotus Flower (New Hebrides): opening AGryski (1985), p.44.Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.130.
  • "Lairo" (Fiji: "Land Crab"): position 1 variantGryski (1985), p.18.
  • "Lake Fish" (Anvik Inuit: "nanvumcheseah"): ???
  • "Leashing/Lines of Lochiel's Dogs"Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.195. (Scotland, Ireland, England),Jayne (1962), p.116. Collected by Haddon from a part European/African/Cherokee Pullman porter (????) and by John L. Cox from an Onondaga Indian, Charles Doxon (????). "Raven's Feet"/"Crow's Feet" (Tanana Inuit), "Ptarmigan Feet"/"Crows' Feet" (N. America), "Cock's Feet" (France), "Chicken Toes"/"Wooden Spoon" (Africa: "Umuzwa"), "Emus'/Cockerels' Feet" (???), "Two Tents" (???), "Spade" (New Zealand),Gryski (1985), p.30. "Ducks' Feet" (Scotland): opening A, nearly identical to "Two Hogans"
  • "Pepper Plant"
  • "Spider's Web": two peopleElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.120.
  • "Caterpillar"Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.197.
  • "Lightning" (Navajo: "Atsinil-klish", Tewa: "Vo-pi-ri-dai"): Navajo openingJayne (1962), p.216. Collected by Haddon in Chicago (1901).Gryski (1983), p.48.[https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:String_Figures_and_How_to_Make_Them.djvu&page=5 Jayne (1906), front matter.]
  • "Little Boat"/"Two Boats" (King Island Inuit: "kayak"/"malruk-kayak"): ???
  • "Little Boy Carrying Wood" (Klamath): Navajo openingJayne (1962), p.295. Collected by John L. Cox from Emma Jackson (????).
  • "Little Fishes" (Murray Island: "Tup"): Navajo openingJayne (1962), p.233. Collected by Haddon in the Torres Straits (1904).
  • "Little Fish That Hides in the Mud" (Klamath): nonstandardJayne (1962), p.291. Collected by John L. Cox from Emma Jackson (????).
  • "Little Girl with Pigtails" (Japan): opening AISFA (1999), p.34. Tradition, described by Hiroshi Noguchi of Tokyo (????).
  • "Lizard" (Navajo: Nashoi-dichizhi): Navajo openingJayne (1962), p.230. Collected by Jayne from Tso et al. (1904).Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.184.
  • "Lozenge" (invented): opening AJayne (1962), p.391.
  • "Ma-ka-pe-na" (Hawaii): ???
  • "Man" (Navajo: "Diné"): opening A, resembles "Coral"Jayne (1962), p.184. Collected by Jayne from Zah Tso & sister (1904).
  • "Man Climbing a Tree" (Australia): opening AGryski (1983), p.44.
  • "Man in a Hammock" (???): around wristsElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.81.
  • "Man on/and a Bed" (Torres Straits: "Le Sik"): opening AJayne (1962), p.192. Collected by Haddon (????), published first by Jayne with chant.Gryski (1983), p.56-7.
  • "Hoochie Koochie Man" (Europe)
  • "Many Stars"Gryski (1985), p.51./"Starry Sky"Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.122. (Navajo: "Son-tlani"): opening AJayne (1962), p.48, 53, & 66. Also Haddon (1903). Collected by Haddon from, "two old Navajo men," in Chicago (1901).
  • "Firmament": two peopleElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.121.
  • "Net" (Hawaii: "U-pe-na"): ???
  • "New Mittens" (Tanana: "ajakailaiguk"): ???
  • "O-ko-le-a-mo" (Hawaii): ???
  • "One Chief" (Yap: "Pilun"): position 1, Caroline extensionJayne (1962), p.253. Collected by Furness from a woman, Lemet, in the Caroline Islands (1902).
  • "Owl" 1 ("Nas-ja"): variation
  • "Owl" 2: variationJayne (1962), p.54 & 55. Collected by Jayne from two girls, Zah Tso and her sister, from Gallup, New Mexico at the St. Louis Expo (1904).
  • "Owl" 3: variation
  • "Seven Stars" ("Dil-ye-he"[Pleiades]): variationJayne (1962), p.56. Collected by Jayne from two girls from Gallup, New Mexico at the St. Louis Expo (1904), also Culin.
  • "Two-Horned Star"[Son-bi-tere]/"Cow's Head": variationJayne (1962), p.58, 60, & 64. Collected by Jayne from two girls from Gallup, New Mexico at the St. Louis Expo (1904).
  • "Two Coyotes" ("Ma-i-at-sani-il-watli"): variation
  • "Big Star": variation
  • "North Star" ("Tsun-tsi"): variation
  • "Carrying Wood" ("Chiz-jǒ-yĕt-lĭ"): variation
  • "Owl's Net": variationJayne (1962), p.69, 74, 79, & 82. Collected by John L. Cox from a Klamath Indian from Oregon, Emma Jackson, in Hampton, Virginia (????).
  • "M" (Omaha): opening AJayne (1962), p.209. Collected by John L. Cox from Wallace Springer (????).
  • "Maui's Lasso" (Hawaii): opening AGryski (1985), p.40.
  • "Melon Rind" (Papuan, Bamu River): position 1Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.194.
  • "Moe Hora Hia" (Tuamotus: "Ghost's Path"): opening A"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/july_2013/ghosts_path_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: Moe Hora Hia]", ISFA.org. Collected by Kenneth Emory in Polynesia (????).
  • "Monkey Bum"Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.36./"Flying Parrot" ([British] Guiana), "Wink" (Hawaii): nonstandardGryski (1983), p.46.
  • "Moth" (Zulu), "Spectacles" (Europe): opening AGryski (1985), p.12.Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.78.
  • "Mouse" (Murray Island: "Kebe Mokeis"), "Express Train" (Germany), (Inuit, N. & S. America, Japan, Philippines, Australia): nonstandard, "Probably the most widely distributed of all the string figures."Jayne (1962), p.340. Collected by Jayne from Batwa, Negrito, Linao Moros, Chippewa, Osage, Navajo, and Apache. Collected by Haddon from the Omaha and Japanese, and in Torres Straits (????). It is also known to the Irish, Wajiji, and Alaskan Inuit.Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.44-5.
  • "Mouth" (Topek Inuit: "Rote"),Jayne (1962), p.282. Collected by Jayne from an Inuk man from Alaska, Chief Zaroff, at the St. Louis Expo (1904). "Trap" (Cape Prince of Wales Inuit: "keezook"): Navajo opening
  • "Mrs. Crab" (South Pacific), "Elastic Band" (Japan), "Twitcher" (Hawaii): position 1Gryski (1983), p.38.
  • "Mr. Spider" (Gilbert Islands): opening A
  • Murray openingElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.25./Index opening (technical): opening position
  • "Naio Tree" (Kauai and Niihau: False Sandalwood): position 1"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/june_2013/naio_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: Naio Tree]", ISFA.org. Collected by Lyle Dickey in Hawaii (????).
  • Navajo opening (Navajo), Opening B (technical):Averkieva & Sherman (1992), p.xxxi. opening positionISFA (1999), p.52. Wheelbarrow: invented by Carey C.K. Smith in Stratford, New Zealand (???).
  • "Neneuri" (Gilbert Islands: maybe someone's name): opening A
  • "Night"/"Darkness" (Hawaii: "Po", also Pacific, Japan, Africa, South America): opening AISFA (1999), p.5 & 9. Collected by Lyle A. Dickey in Hawaii (????).
  • "Twinkling Star"
  • No Name (Ngatik): opening AJayne (1962), p.176. Collected by Furness from Emily (1902).
  • "One Hogan" (Navajo): nonstandardJayne (1962), p.243. Collected by Haddon in Chicago (1901).
  • Opening AJayne (1962), p.11.Gryski (1983), p.13 and (1985), p.9 and ISFA (1999), p.5.Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.24./Japanese openingISFA (1999), p.34. (technical: Inuit, N. & S. America, Papua): position 1
  • "Open the Gate" (Hawaii), "Island Separated from Land" (Fiji), "Kokoko" (New Guinea: bird call): opening AGryski (1985), p.22.
  • "Osage Two Diamonds" (Osage): opening AElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.49.Jayne (1962), p.28. Collected by Jayne in Pawhuska (1904), also exists in Hawaii.
  • "Owl" (Navajo: "Nasha"): position 1, similar to "Starry Night"Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.201.
  • "Palm Tree" (Torres Straits: "U"): opening AJayne (1962), p.195. Collected by Haddon.
  • "Paths to the Well" (Gilbert Islands): opening A, "clearly similar to," "Iburenio"
  • "Plinthios Brokhos" (Ancient Greece),{{cite journal | last = Miller | first = Lawrence G. | title = The Earliest (?) Description of a String Figure | journal = American Anthropologist |series=New Series | volume = 47 | issue = 3 | pages = 461–462 | year = 1945 | doi = 10.1525/aa.1945.47.3.02a00190}}{{Citation|journal=Bulletin of the International String Figure Association|volume=4|year=1997|issn=1076-7886|first=Joseph|last=D'Antoni|pages=90–94}}{{cite journal | url=http://www.isfa.org/sfmv6n2.htm | last = ISFA | author-link = International String Figure Association | title = Plinthios Brokhos | journal = String Figure Magazine | volume = 6 | issue = 2 | pages = 3–4 | publisher = International String Figure Association | date = June 2001 | access-date = 2008-08-13}} "Sun Clouded Over" (Australia),{{cite book | last = Day | first = Cyrus L. | title = Quipus and Witches' Knots | url = https://archive.org/details/quipuswitcheskno0000dayc | url-access = registration | publisher = University of Kansas Press | year = 1967 | location = Lawrence, Kansas | pages = [https://archive.org/details/quipuswitcheskno0000dayc/page/86 86]–89, 124–126 }} "Giant Clam" (Fiji):Gryski (1985), p.28. opening A
  • "Polar Bear" (North Alaskan Inuit): position 1, variant of "Swan"ISFA (1999), p.14. Collected by Diamond Jenness in Northern Alaska (????).
  • Pole Star (???): opening AElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.127.
  • "Porcupine" (Klamath), "Wolf"/"Wolverine" (Cape Prince of Wales: "koftsick"/"kulonik"), "Fox" (???): opening AJayne (1962), p.137. Collected by John L. Cox from Emma Jackson (1904). "Appears to be...an [Inuit] figure,...very widely distributed."
  • Position 1/First positionJayne (1962), p.10. (technical): opening positionGryski (1983), p.12.Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.22.
  • Position 2 (technical): opening positionElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.23.
  • "Post" (Hawaii: "Pou"): ???
  • "Priestess" (Nauru: "Etaroking"): ???
  • "Pu" (Hawaii): ???
  • "Pump" (Hawaii: "Pau-ma-wai"): ???
  • "Pygmy Diamonds" (Batwa): Navajo openingJayne (1962), p.276. Collected by Jayne from a Congo Kasai Valley Batwa boy, Ottobang, at the St. Louis Expo (1904).
  • "Rabbit" (Klamath): opening AGryski (1985), p.54.Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.132.
  • "Rabbit" (Anvik Inuit: "makadok"), "Bird On Eggs" (St. Michael Island): ???
  • "Rain" (Nauru: "O-eron"): opening AElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.204.
  • "Rattlesnake and a Boy" (Klamath): opening AJayne (1962), p.101, 110, 114, & 114. Collected by John L. Cox from Emma Jackson (????).
  • "Two Skunks": variation
  • "Two Foxes": variation
  • "Two Squirrels": variation
  • "Rectangle" (???): position 1
  • "Ribcage" (Alaska Inuit): ribcage openingElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.72.
  • Ribcage opening (technical): opening positionElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.26.
  • "Salt Cave" (Hawaii): opening A, variation of "Fishnet"Gryski (1985), p.62.
  • "Sandsnipe" (Kiribati): nonstandardISFA (1999), p.37. Collected by Harry and Honor Maude in Micronesia (????).
  • "Saw" (Hawaii: "Pa-hi-o-lo"), "Saw" (Scotland): "Cradle"Gryski (1983), p.36.
  • "Sawing Together" (around the world),Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.112. "Saw Mill" (Ireland):Jayne (1962), p.356. Collected by Jayne from a girl in Ireland (???). position 1/nonstandard, two people, trick
  • "Scarab" (invented): all moves but one taken from "Well", "Crab", and "Fence"Jayne (1962), p.390.
  • "Seagull"/"Man Carrying a Kayak" (Nunivak Island Inuit: "tc-c-kyack"): opening AGryski (1985), p.58.
  • "Sealskin Carrying-bag" (St. Michael Island Inuit: "aginuk"): ???
  • "Kidneys" ("taktuk"): continuation
  • "Sea-snake" (Murray Island: "Pagi"):Jayne (1962), p.34.
  • "Seasnake" (Nauru: "Iiyanibongo"): ???
  • "Second Worm" (Navajo): Navajo openingJayne (1962), p.299. Collected by Jayne from Tso et al. (1904).
  • "See-saw" (Hawaii: "Ma-hi-ki"): ???
  • "Seven Diamonds" (Brillo Nuevo): nonstandardISFA (1999), p.11. Collected from children by Will Wirt in northeastern Peru (????).
  • "Sewing Machine" (Basel): "Cradle"ISFA (1999), p.70. Collected from a girl by H.R. Haefelfinger in Basel, Germany (????).
  • "Ship" (King Island Inuit: "umiakbuk"): ???
  • "Siberian House"Gryski (1983), p.30.Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.126./"Two Brown Bears and Their Caves"Gryski (1985), p.34. (Big Diomede Island Inuit): opening A
  • "Two Inuit Running Away" ("mugalonik enuck okparuktuk")
  • "Smith's Secret 1" (Europe): nonstandardElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.43.
  • "Smith's Secret 2" (Alaskan Inuit): nonstandardElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.46.
  • "Spectacles" (invented): opening AISFA (1999), p.63. Invented in by Udo Engelhardt in Berlin, Germany (????).
  • "Square" (invented): begins as does "Apache Door"Jayne (1962), p.392.
  • "Stairs" (Cape Prince of Wales Inuit: "tutumukaligat"): ???
  • "Star of David" (???): nonstandard, two peopleElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.117.
  • "Hut" (Pueblo: "Nathu")
  • "Stickleback" (Guianas): nonstandard, two peopleElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.114.
  • "Storm Clouds" (Navajo): Navajo openingJayne (1962), p.236. Collected by Jayne from Tso et al. (1904).
  • "Sun" (Nauru Island): opening AISFA (1999), p.49. Collected by Honor Maude in Micronesia (????).
  • "Sun" (Klamath): opening A
  • "Sunset" (Murray island: "Lem Baraigida"),Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.151. (Mabuiag: "Dògai", or "Star"): opening A, related to "Fighting Head-Hunters"Jayne (1962), p.21. Collected by Dr. Haddon in the Torres Straits (????), see Rivers and Haddon (1902, p.150).
  • "Swan" (Mackenzie Delta Inuit): position 1,ISFA (1999), p.44. Collected by Diamond Jenness in Canada (????). variant of "Polar Bear"
  • "Ta Ai" (Gilbert Islands: "Sun"): opening A
  • "Tallow Dips" (Great Britain): nonstandardJayne (1962), p.248. Collected by the Rev. John Gray from children in Cowgate, Edinburgh (????), story described by Margaret A. Hingston as in Somerset.
  • "Tao Ta 16" (Japan): opening A"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/april_2013/tao_ta_16_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: Tao Ta 16]", ISFA.org. Invented by Masahiko Eguchi of Japan, based on techniques from Tikopia Island.
  • "Ten Men" (Ngatik),Jayne (1962), p.150, 156, 158, & 162. Collected by Furness from Emily (1902), Roth gives "Turtle". "Turtle" (Australia), "White Betel Leaf"/"Leaves of the Bread-fruit Tree" (Pacific): opening A
  • "Ten Men variation" variation
  • "Second Variation of Ten Men" (invented)Jayne (1962), p.395.
  • "Caroline Islands Triangles": variation
  • "Carrying Money" (Uap: "Runi-ka-fei"): continuationJayne (1962), p.160. Collected by Dr. Furness from a boy in West Carolines (1902). Step two produces "Plinthios Brokhos"
  • "House of the Blos-Bird" (Ngatik: "Palngan-im-mun-blos"): variation
  • "Threading a Closed Loop" (Omaha, Pawnee, Kwakiutl, Japan, Caroline Islands): nonstandard, trickJayne (1962), p.354.
  • "Three Stars" (Uap: "Dilipi-tuf"): opening A, Caroline extensionJayne (1962), p.167. Collected by Furness from a 13yo woman, Dakofel, in the West Carolines (???).
  • "Thumb Catch[er]" (Osage, England), "Bow-String" (Tanana): opening A, trickJayne (1962), p.350. Collected by Jayne in Pawhuska (1904).
  • "Tinamitto" (Nauru: "Dandy"): ???
  • "Toad and a Man" (Kwakiutl): opening AISFA (1999), p.41. Collected by Julia Averkieva in Vancouver Island (????).
  • "Torres Straits Lizard" (Murray Island: "Monan"), "Intestines of a Turtle" (Mabuiag: "Maita"): nonstandard, trickJayne (1962), p.337. Collected by Haddon in the Torres Straits (????). Collected by Furness from a boy in the Caroline Islands (1902).
  • "Tortoise" (???): ribcage opening, two personElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.63.
  • "Tree Hole/Hole in the Tree"/"Sun"/"Moon"/"Female Sexual Organs" (Chama & Oceania): opening A
  • "Tree with Roots and Branches" (Guiana): position 1
  • "Trigger Fish" (Torres Straits: "Nageg"): "Well"Jayne (1962), p.96. Collected by Haddon (????), first published by Jayne.
  • "Turtle" (Japan): opening AISFA (1999), p.19. Modern figure, possible 1st mention: Noguchi, Hiroshi (1980).
  • "Turtle" (Yap): nonstandard, Caroline extension, resembles "Bagobo Diamonds"Jayne (1962), p.265 & 271. "Turtle" collected by Furness from a woman, Dakofel, in the Caroline Islands (????). "Ten Times" resembles a figure Jayne saw Linao Moros people form in St. Louis (1904).
  • "Ten Times": continuation, any even number of times possible
  • "Twin Stars" (Navajo: "Sono-tsihu")(Zuni): Navajo opening, closely resembles "Osage Two Diamonds"Jayne (1962), p.228. Collected by Jayne from Tso et al. (1904), also Culin.
  • "Two Boys Fighting for an Arrow" (Klamath): opening A variationJayne (1962), p.317. Collected by Cox from Emma Jackson (????).
  • "Two Chiefs" (Yap: "Logaru-pilun"): opening A, Caroline extensionJayne (1962), p.188. Collected by Furness, from a man, probably from Dulukan, in Uap (????).
  • "Two Coyotes" (Navajo): opening A
  • "Cow's Head"/"Star with Two Horns" (Navajo)
  • "Two Dolphins" (invented): opening A
  • "Two Dragonflies" (Gilbert Islands: "U-oman ni keketi"): opening A
  • "Two Elks" (Klamath): opening A
  • "Two Hogans" (Navajo): opening AJayne (1962), p.121. Collected by Haddon from two old Navajo men in Chicago (1901), also Culin.
  • "Two Islands Joined by a Log" (Warrau): opening AISFA (1999), p.72. Collected by Walter E. Roth in Guyana (????).
  • "Two Islands Linked by a Bridge" (Warau, Guiana): opening A
  • "Two Little Boys Running Away" (Klamath): Navajo openingJayne (1962), p.287. Collected by John L. Cox from Emma Jackson (????).
  • "Two Mountains and a Stream" (St. Michael Island Inuit: "tituchtak"): ???
  • "Two Ptarmigans" (Cape Prince of Wales Inuit: "mugalonik-okhozgiuk"): ???
  • "Two Stars" (Navajo): opening AJayne (1962), p.129. Collected by Jayne from Zah Tso & sister (1904).
  • "Two Wells" (Gilbert Islands: "Tan iti ran"): around wristsElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.205.
  • "Two Women" (Nauru: "Echeog and Edawaroi"): ???
  • "Ussugdjung" (Cumberland Sound Inuit: "circle" or "sun"): position 1Jayne (1962), p.127. Collected by Boas.
  • "W" (Omaha): opening AJayne (1962), p.204. Collected by John L. Cox in Hampton, Virginia, from Wallace Springer, an Omaha Indian (????).
  • "Wanderer" (invented): nonstandard"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/december_2013/wanderer_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: A Wanderer]", ISFA.org. Invented by Tom Storer after Hiroshi Noguchi (????).
  • "What Will You Do?" (Kwakiutl), "Old Woman" (Bella Coola): opening BAverkieva & Sherman (1992), p.9.
  • "Wheelbarrow" (invented): Navajo opening
  • "[White] Man in a Bed" (N. America): opening AElffers & Schuyt (1979), p.87.
  • "[White Man's] Camp Bed"/"Fetish Man's Breastplate"/"Sumbo" (central Africa: "Fishing Net"): nonstandardGryski (1985), p.16.
  • "Winking Eye" (Kauai): non-standardGryski (1983), p.24.
  • "Wolf" (Inuit: "Amaroqdjung"): ???
  • "Woman" (Nauru: "Egattamma"): ???
  • "Woman Who Walks a Lot" (N. New Guinea): opening A"[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/may_2013/walking_woman_1.htm String Figure of the Month 2013: The Woman Who Walks a Lot]", ISFA.org. Collected by Camilla Wedgwood in N. New Guinea (????).
  • "Women of Rank" (Nauru: "Etima and Etowa"; Nauru women of rank): ???
  • "Worm" (Navajo): Navajo openingJayne (1962), p.222. Collected by Jayne from Tso et al. (1904).
  • "Would You Like a Sweet/Yam?" (northern Australia),Elffers & Schuyt (1979), p.134. "Will You Have a Yam?"/"Food" (Torres Straits: "Lewer"):Jayne (1962), p.352. Collected by Haddon (????). position 1
  • "Yam Thief"/"Snake in the Trees" (South America), "Mouse" (Inuit): nonstandardGryski (1983), p.50.

}}

See also

References

The list includes all figures from Elffers & Schuyt (1979), Gryski (1983) and (1985), ISFA (1999), and Jayne (1962).

{{reflist|30em}}

External links

Webpages with lists of string figures:

  • "[http://www.isfa.org/sfotm/sfotm_2013.htm String Figure of the Month]", ISFA.org.
  • "[http://www.alysion.org/figures/index2collection.html Index to the Collection]", WWW Collection of Favorite String Figures.
  • "[http://www.gadan.it/strings/strindex.html String Figures]", Gadan.it.
  • "[http://www.k4.dion.ne.jp/~topotopo/stringfigs/index_e.html Index]", String Figure Studio.
  • "[https://web.archive.org/web/20150619124527/http://dine.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/string_games/introduction.html Introduction]", Dine String Games.
  • "[http://www.llx.com/~nparker/string/jayne.html Jayne's Finished-Pattern-Only Figures]", Neil Parker's homepage.
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20021015015806/http://website.lineone.net/~m.p/sf/menu.html The Survival, Origin and Mathematics of String Figures].
  • "[http://www.gardendigest.com/string/index.htm Strings on Your Fingers]", GardenDigest.com.
  • "[http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document//Volume_47_1938/Memoirs/No._13_String-figures_from_the_Gilbert_Islands,_by_H._C._and_H._E._Maude,_p_57-72/p1 Memoir No. 13: String-Figures From the Gilbert Islands]", Journal of the Polynesian Society.
  • {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613134554/http://membres.multimania.fr/stringgames/magazinedsjeuxdeficelle3.html |date=June 13, 2013 |title=Magazines Ficelles }} {{in lang|fr}}
  • {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613134615/http://membres.multimania.fr/stringgames/magazineenglish.html |date=June 13, 2013 |title=Magazine Mai 2003 }} {{in lang|en}}

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