CREATION MYTHSSTORIES THAT EXPLAIN LIFE, THE

UNIVERSE, AND EVERYTHING

CREATION MYTHS

• Asking questions, looking for answers

• Origins of humanity, th Earth, animals, plants, and other elements of nature

• Cultures invent stories to make sense of the world for their times

COMMON THEMES

• Creation Myths from around the world have some similar themes.

• Modern scholars have observed these themes.

• Individual myths do not exactly fit with modern stereotypes.

• Each creation myth contains several common thematic features.

• We will examine interesting similarities and differences.

COMMON ELEMENTS: CREATION/GEOGRAPHY

• Beginnings• Often a jumbled mass of

components which serve as the first elements of life

• Formation of the Gods• Male or Female gods give

birth to children• Natural• Unusual

• Explanations for the formation of mountains, valleys, oceans, rivers, etc.

• First gods born did not always create the world.

• Often, their children decided to fill the world with life.

• Creates a hierarchy.

COMMON ELEMENTS: GENEALOGY

• Polytheistic• Monotheistic

COMMON ELEMENTS: SUPREME BEINGS

• Created by a god or supernatural being

• Establishes: • links between humanity beings and

the supernatural world

• continues the hierarchy

COMMON ELEMENTS: CREATION OF HUMANITY

• Animals played key roles in many Creation Myths• Sometimes viewed as equal to

humans• often reflect feelings of culture for

animals• Account for the existence of the

forms of life that inhabit the planet.• Might explain physical

characteristics of the animals.

COMMON ELEMENTS: ANIMAL/HUMAN

RELATIONSHIPS

• Night & Fear• the setting of the sun brought on

fear and chaos

• Instruction & Fire• Divine tutoring• Fire: Dual Nature

• Sin & Consequences• Brings pain, suffering, illness, etc.

into the world

OTHER COMMON ELEMENTS:

NIGHT, FEAR, FIRE, INSTRUCTION, SIN, CONSEQUENCES

• Humankind continues to answer origin questions.

• For some, scientific evidence serves as a basis for creation stories

• For others, deeply rooted ancient beliefs remain the cornerstone in their own theories

CREATION MYTHS