4 lesser-known creation myths from around the world
When we talk about the creation of world and life, which theory pops into your head? Most of you will undoubtedly answer the Big Bang Theory or the biblical Adam and Eve story! But have you ever heard of the Australian-based dreamtime creation story of the world? Several cultures throughout the world have their own theories about how the world was created. Creation myths are symbolic narratives regarding the creation of the world and life! Let's explore some of these lesser-known creation myths today!
The Australian myth
Aboriginals are indigenous Australian people dwelling on the continent of Australia for thousands of years. They believe in the ‘dreamtime’ theory of creation. According to this myth, Baiame, the 'maker of things,' is thought to have brought ancestors of 'dreamtime' from beneath the Earth and Sea, where they slept in eternal sleep. These ancestors are believed to have created the world we live in. How? After the ancestors came to land, they kept wandering and became involved in amazing adventures. They met each other while wandering, arguing, encountering odd animals and fighting battles. Each battle shaped the Earth, causing hills and mountains to rise and flora to grow!
In the Australian myth, there is a battle that describes the birth of Sun. When two ancestors, the Emu and the Eagle battled, the latter grabbed an egg of the former and threw it into the air. As a result, the egg burst into flames and the Sun was created!
The Chinese myth
The creation story of Chinese Taoism (a Chinese religion) is very fascinating. According to their belief, there was once a period of complete chaos, mist and emptiness. Suddenly, there appeared a bright light from which everything sprang. The mist trembled causing everything light to rise to the surface and everything heavy to sink and solidify. The Heavens and Earth produced two powerful forces: Yin and yang. Yang is associated with heat, fire and masculinity, while yin is associated with water, coolness and femininity. When combined, they can create harmony and balance, but when left alone, they have the power to destroy the world. According to this theory, yin gave birth to the Moon while yang formed the Sun. Together, they produced all the different types of living beings, the five elements (Earth, Fire, Water, Metal, Wood), and the four seasons!
The Hindu Yuga (Generations) Tale
According to Hinduism, the Earth is not the first planet on which we have lived. Many other planets/worlds have existed and will continue to exist. They are made by the creator of life, Lord Brahma. The creation myth of Hinduism suggests that Lord Brahma divides himself into male and female when he gets lonely. Everything in the world originates from various parts of his body. Legends have it that, a day in the life of Lord Brahma is equivalent to four billion years on Earth. And every ‘night’ when Lord Brahma sleeps, the world is destroyed, and every ‘morning,’ when he awakens, it is rebuilt. This 'yuga' cycle is continuous and never-ending!
The Egyptian myth
According to ancient Egyptian mythology, the first element that existed was a primordial ocean called Nu. Then from this ocean a living temple hill rose to form the creator god! He then went on to create all the various other gods of the sky, Earth and atmosphere through his body. So, how was the world we live in created? The other gods created by the creator god later produced the Earth and everything on it.