Myth Synthesis

1 Good day, dear students.

You have just finished with our module on the samples of creation myths across the world and
from our very own country and region.

2 For this synthesis and mini lecture video, we will be deepening our understanding of these
creation myths by looking at perspectives from different disciplines, the major types of creation
myths, and the common and dominant themes/ motifs of creation myths and their meanings.

To review, we have analyzed representative creation stories to identify their common and
distinct characteristics. 3 These creation stories, in general and upon initial consideration, aim to
address the questions, “how did everything begin?” and “how were we created?” With the
variety of creation myths around the world, we may also be left wondering which is close to the
truth.
4 Before we proceed, I’d like to share that our main reference for this synthesis is the 2nd
edition of the encyclopedia entitled Creation Myths of the World by David Leeming. It features a
comprehensive listing and discussion of many of the world’s creation stories.
Now, while we can probably reduce these myths to bedtime or children’s stories, magical yet
fictional and unscientific, anthropologists are keen on noting dominant cultural motifs from them.
Psychologists, likewise, try to unravel the universal psychological realities that these stories of
the primordial world reflect. 5 Jungian scholar, Marie Louise von Franz sees creation myths as
“preconscious processes about the origins of human consciousness.” The anthropological and
psychological perspectives are instrumental in determining common patterns among and
classifying creation myths. 6 On the other hand, religion scholar Mircea Eliade views creation
myths as “symbolic descriptions of a reality in which all creative acts are paradigmatic models”
or gateways to general ways of looking at the world and existence. In addition, he explains that
these myths “are reflections of an eternally repeated return to an identifying center or absolute
reality.”
7 Religion scholar, Charles Long, in his now classic work, Alpha: The Myths of Creation
captures these multidisciplinary outlooks in his categorization of creation myths into five major
groups: 8 Creation from nothing or the Ex Nihilo Creation Myths; Creation from a pre-existing
undifferentiated or chaotic state; Creation from Union, Separation, Division, Sacrifice or
Dismemberment or the World Parents Creation Myth; Creation by way of a hole in the earth or
the Emergence Creation Myths and the Creation by means of diving into the depths of the
primordial waters or the Earth-Diver Creation Myths.
9 Go back to the samples of creation stories you have just read and try to identify under which
of these types, the stories are classified. The fact that we can categorize these stories prove
that indeed, they represent “universal archetypal dreams” while at the same time, the unique
features of the narratives show that they are also “cultural dreams”, influenced by the views of
the community that has imagined them.
Notice as well that these types are not isolated or exclusive from one another as there can be
many possible combinations and variations with specific themes and motifs associated with
them. Leeming also provides a listing of these themes and motifs usually associated with these
five categories. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
15 To be clear, themes pertain to the main idea that seems to be communicated by a story
about a certain topic. Themes may be about the role of women, life or death or any other topic.
Motifs are repeated or dominant elements in a story with a symbolic value which strengthens
the establishment of the theme. The portrayal of the earth as feminine giving life to all creation,
or the symbol of a bamboo repeated in some Philippine creation myths, examples of motifs
reinforcing certain themes.
We will concisely discuss some of the most common themes and motifs in creation myths and
their meanings.
16 Ages of Creation
Evident in the Greek creation myth, this describes either the gradual improvement or
deterioration of human condition. It shows the relationship between human development and
change and the development of the created world as a whole.
17 Ancestors in Creation
Creation stories may mention the original man and woman as ancestors. These myths involve
sexual union. Examples are Adam and Eve in the Hebrew creation story and Izanami and
Izanagi in the Japanese creation myth. Ancestors in creation myths satisfy our need to know
where we came from as humans.
18 Animistic Creation
This includes the presence of spirits of animation in all things and all aspects of creation. It
frequently involves sacrifice or dismemberment of a divine being whose body becomes the
world. This is evident in the Chinese and Norse creation myths.
All these cultural dreams point to a constant archetypal or universal pattern which sees the
world as sacred because it is made from divine primordial material.
19 Axis Mundi
This motif points to the existence of a world center usually marked by a clear central symbol like
a tree or other upright objects. The tree is a particularly powerful psychological and religious
symbol. It serves as the axle that holds the various parts of creation together and can be said to
stand for the power of the creator or spiritual power of creation as opposed to chaos.
20 Birth as Creation Metaphor

Symbols and images of the feminine play a primary role in this motif because an analogy is
created between the creation of the world and the creation of individual humans and thus, gives
us a meaningful and natural place in creation.
21 Clay-based creation
Here the creator makes use of clay which is a basic material for dwelling places. The
supposition that humans were made from clay makes us literally products of the earth,
22 Cosmic Egg
This is common in chaos creation myths such as in the Indian, Chinese and Japanese creation
stories. The egg is an object prone to fertilization and a good metaphor for potential creation. In
psychological terms, it is a symbol for cultural preconsciousness, the collective being waiting to
be made conscious of itself. The egg is also a symbol of non-differentiation. It contains both
male and female, light and dark, all opposites in a state of union.
23 Other themes and motifs are:
Death
Deus Faber or the god-creator
Deus absconditus or the god-creator who lives his creation after the divine act
The devil in creation and the presence of other tricksters
Imperfect/ Accidental creation
Incest in Creation
Primordial Waters and separation of heaven and earth.
24 As we close this discussion, we go back to the speculation we initiated at the beginning of

our video. While their variety can inspire awe and wonder in us, it can also be a source of doubt
since our personal beliefs may be involved. At this point, it may be significant to bear in mind
that, while people and cultures may view their creation myths as factual explanations of the
origins of the world and life, myths go beyond the literal. Paradoxically, by explaining how
creation began, they make the whole idea of creation a mystery. Yet, as this continues to be
shrouded, what is revealed is the complexity of the human mind and experience and how this,
from the time of our existence, shapes the path we take as an entire race, as different cultures
and as individuals.
In closing, with all the myths that explain the beginning of everything, creation remains and will
perhaps remain to be a mystery, but our continual pursuit of answers can lead us to a greater
discovery and a greater understanding of ourselves and what ties us together as human beings.
That is it for this session. Thank you for your critical and reflective engagement.

Myth Synthesis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Myth Synthesis

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Myth Synthesis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1 Good day, dear students.

20 Birth as Creation Metaphor

23 Other themes and motifs are:

24 As we close this discussion, we go back to the speculation we initiated at the beginning of

You might also like