Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures

Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures

William Feathers

HUM/105

December 14, 2015

Christina Whitlock

Cosmic Creation Myths across Cultures

There are many creation myths throughout the world and history. Every different culture has its own unique creation myth that is specific to them. That myth explains how the world and life came to be. Although each culture has a different way of explaining the creation story, there are similarities and differences among them. The two that I will be discussing are the Aztec and Sumerian creation stories. They have very similar stories even though they originate thousands of miles apart on separate continents.

First, is the Aztec story of creation it begins with Coatlicue, the Earth mother. It is said she was swimming in the chaotic waters before time; she created the moon and the stars. She then has a daughter and several other children. One day Coatlicue finds a ball of humming bird feathers and places them inside her dress for safe keeping. She becomes pregnant, and her children find out. They become upset wanting to know who the father is. She explains that it was the feathers she found. Her children do not believe her and plan to kill her. Coatlicue flees as she does she gives birth to Huitzilopochtli. Who halves her daughter Coyolxauhqui the top half becomes heaven, and her bottom half creates Earth. She then creates another son who creates the first humans. These humans become greedy and do not honor their creators. So the son decides to wipe them out with a great flood. All except two humans, a husband and wife named Teta and Nena. They are told to hide in the tallest hollow tree with a corn cob which they do and live to repopulate the earth (Distant Train, 2011).

Next, is the Sumerian story it begins with goddess Nammu who is the sea before time began. She gives birth to Anki; he is the universe who is heaven and earth mixed together. She gives birth to Enlil, who is the air. He separates his...