Creation MythCreation Myth

Myth: Myth: The worldThe world’’s oldest s oldest

storiesstories• From the Greek word From the Greek word muthosmuthos for for

story.story.• Origins are uncertain because they Origins are uncertain because they

are are anonymousanonymous, generated and , generated and perpetuated by cultures through the perpetuated by cultures through the oral traditionoral tradition..

• Not intended to be recorded history Not intended to be recorded history of events…of events…– ……but rather of a people and culture, of but rather of a people and culture, of

values and beliefs.values and beliefs.

Myth: Myth: The worldThe world’’s oldest s oldest

storiesstories• People have always tired to People have always tired to

figure out common questions like figure out common questions like who made the universe or what who made the universe or what causes a storm.causes a storm.

• Myth Myth is what is what

answers theseanswers these

questionsquestions..

Myth Provides Answers Myth Provides Answers for the Following:for the Following:

• Explain the origins of the Explain the origins of the universe universe and lifeand life

• Explain a natural Explain a natural phenomenon—phenomenon—why is the sky blue, what are stars.why is the sky blue, what are stars.

• Explain Explain the human the human condition—flaws, condition—flaws, suffering, deathsuffering, death……• Explain Explain historical eventshistorical events..• Teach Teach moralitymorality..

Myth Provides Answers Myth Provides Answers for the Following:for the Following:

• Myths explain these elements Myths explain these elements through the involvement of a through the involvement of a pantheon of deities (gods and pantheon of deities (gods and goddesses),goddesses), providing a system providing a system of of religious beliefs and practicesreligious beliefs and practices..

• These myths are passed along by These myths are passed along by leaders and priests.leaders and priests.

Origin Myths and Origin Myths and ArchetypesArchetypes

• An ArchetypeAn Archetype: a pattern or model : a pattern or model that serves as the basis for different that serves as the basis for different but related versions of a character, but related versions of a character, plot, or theme.plot, or theme.

• Origin stories explain how Origin stories explain how events, events, actions, or objectsactions, or objects came into being, came into being, featuring common archetypes found featuring common archetypes found universally in myths from around the universally in myths from around the world.world.

Familiar Archetypes:Familiar Archetypes:

• Creator figure Creator figure (god or goddess)(god or goddess)

• WaterWater• Golden AgeGolden Age• A TricksterA Trickster• Talking Animals Talking Animals

(spiritual guides)(spiritual guides)• Sibling Rivals Sibling Rivals

and/or Sibling and/or Sibling MatesMates

Familiar Archetypes:Familiar Archetypes:

• Fall From Grace Fall From Grace (loss of paradise)(loss of paradise)

• Great Great DestructionDestruction

• Female EarthFemale Earth• Creation From Creation From

Body PartsBody Parts• Perfect Numbers Perfect Numbers

(2, 3, 4, 7, 12)(2, 3, 4, 7, 12)

Sample Archetypes:Sample Archetypes:

• Fall From GraceFall From Grace

• TricksterTrickster

• Great Great DestructionDestruction

• Golden AgeGolden Age

• Adam and Eve, Adam and Eve, Satan, Anakin Satan, Anakin SkywalkerSkywalker

• Loki, the serpent, Loki, the serpent, Bugs Bunny, MerlinBugs Bunny, Merlin

• Flood, SkyNet, Flood, SkyNet, ArmageddonArmageddon

• Asgard, Middle-Asgard, Middle-earthearth

Origin Myths give people Origin Myths give people a sense of their place in a sense of their place in

the universe…the universe…• Who they areWho they are

• Where they come Where they come fromfrom

• What’s their What’s their destiny will bedestiny will be