Uncovering traces of tradition in the classical domains of, among others, German and Scandinavian folk ballads (language and structural formulas; the so-called epic formula and the balladesque narrative style), fairy tales (Norwegian and German), and popular song traditions is inherently part of the folklorist's toolkit. This trace preservation becomes particularly exciting when the author, through exemplary individual studies, spans a wide arc from late antiquity to the present, argues across disciplines (iconography, image formulas, Nibelungen ballads, legal history, literary interpretation, Alexander Döblin), and incorporates previously marginal areas (prejudice research, national contrasts). The author, who attempts to summarize previous research findings and unpublished studies, cannot deny, among other things, his Danish mother tongue, personal involvement (song protests against nuclear power plants), and interests in cultural conflicts (Alsace, German-Danish opposition). Extensive bibliography; English summary; index.