Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures

Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures

Jessica Woolery

HUM/105

May 16, 2017

Charles Osborne

Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures

How the world was created remains one of the largest mysteries that humanity and scientists still struggle to understand today. Every culture is different, and they all have their theory or beliefs of how the world was created. Creation myths enlighten how the Earth, Underworld, and sky are represented. Each creation myth has its similarities and differences in their creators and creations. Creation myths are important to each culture, due to them being the foundation of cultural and religious beliefs.

Osiris, Isis, and Horus

The story of Osiris, Isis and Horus is the Egyptian Myth of Creation. We will be discussing which world or worlds, such as sky, earth, and underworld are represented in this myth and the elements of these worlds. According to “Laits.utexas.edu” (n.d.), “The Sun and the stars, who were Osiris’ allies, descended into the underworld, leaving the world in darkness. The worlds represented in this myth would be the Sky and the underworld. The underworld was a very dark place that was the kingdom of the dead, and it was an un pleasant place where the dead slowly became nothing.  

I think cosmic or creation myths are important to a culture because it allows us to somewhat explain the things that we cannot understand and since we can’t use logic to explain these situations, this is where mythological explanations develop. Every culture has its own forms of myths and these myths are sometimes altered a little to fit different cultures and experiences.

The Creation of Maya

According to “Ancient Origins” (2013-2017), “The Maya civilization flourished in South America at approximately 2000 BC. They developed a unique style of arts, and architecture, astronomy, even a written language.” (para.1). We will be discussing which world or worlds, such as sky, Earth and underworld are represented in this myth and the elements of these worlds. This myth contains a representation of the sky and the Earth. “Working with Earth and mud, they attempted to create a human body, which failed because it would dissolve and disintegrate. Then they tried a second effort using wood, which they became successful and the first man was created.” (“Ancient Origins”, 2013-2017).