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Creation Myths

The document discusses common themes and elements found in creation myths from around the world. It examines origins of humanity, Earth, and nature. Common elements include beginnings from a jumbled mass, formation of gods, explanations for geography, genealogy of gods, roles of supreme beings, creation of humanity and relationships between humans and animals.

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Sittie Macatingkie
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60 views10 pages

Creation Myths

The document discusses common themes and elements found in creation myths from around the world. It examines origins of humanity, Earth, and nature. Common elements include beginnings from a jumbled mass, formation of gods, explanations for geography, genealogy of gods, roles of supreme beings, creation of humanity and relationships between humans and animals.

Uploaded by

Sittie Macatingkie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CREATION MYTHS

STORIES 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.
COMMON ELEMENTS:
GENEALOGY

• First gods born did not always


create the world.
• Often, their children decided to
fill the world with life.
• Creates a hierarchy.
COMMON ELEMENTS:
SUPREME BEINGS

• Polytheistic
• Monotheistic
COMMON ELEMENTS:
CREATION OF HUMANITY

• Created by a god or
supernatural being
• Establishes:
• links between humanity beings and
the supernatural world
• continues the hierarchy
COMMON ELEMENTS:
ANIMAL/HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

• 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.
OTHER COMMON
ELEMENTS:
NIGHT, FEAR, FIRE, INSTRUCTION, SIN,
CONSEQUENCES
• 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
CREATION MYTHS

• 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

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