List of creation myths

A creation myth (or creation story) is a cultural, religious or traditional myth which describes the earliest beginnings of the present world. Creation myths are the most common form of myth, usually developing first in oral traditions, and are found throughout human culture. A creation myth is usually regarded by those who subscribe to it as conveying profound truths, although not necessarily in a historical or literal sense. They are commonly, although not always, considered cosmogonical myths—that is they describe the ordering of the cosmos from a state of chaos or amorphousness.

Basic type

Creation from chaos

Earth diver

Emergence

Ex nihilo (out of nothing)

World Parent

Divine twins

  • Proto-Indo-European creation myths

Regional

Africa

Americas

Mesoamerica

Mid North America

South America

Asia

Central Asia

East Asia

Indian subcontinent

Europe

Middle East

Pacific Islands/Oceanic

In mythopoeia

In mythopoeia, an artificial mythology created by the writers of prose or other fiction. The authors in this genre integrate traditional mythological themes and archetypes into fiction. Some also feature creation myths:

References

  • Leeming, David Adams; Leeming, Margaret Adams (1994). Encyclopedia of Creation Myths (2nd ed.). ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-87436-739-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Leeming, David Adams; Leeming, Margaret Adams (2009). A Dictionary of Creation Myths (Oxford Reference Online ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-510275-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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