Creation Myths. Similar or Different?

“Each time, storytellers clothed the naked body of the myth in their own traditions, so that listeners could relate more easily to its deeper meaning”- Joan D. Vinge. There are a number of common elements in all creation myths. Some elements are given more depth and are the main idea in a myth, while in other myths they are a sub theme or not at all mentioned. The explanation of natural phenomena, how the stars, moon, etc. were created, the cleansing of the earth, and human nature are just some of the most emphasized elements in creation myths. Both Pang Ku and the Norse myth mentioned how the creator sacrificed themselves to complete the Earth. This explains that natural phenomena is a common element in many creation myths. The cleansing of the Earth is another common factor included in creation myths. The Yoruban myth where a flood washed away the imperfect humans created by the gods and the Mayan myth where the gods conducted a flood sending all the humans they made away with the water, are just 2 example of myths that include the theme of cleansing. Another common building block in creation myths is the reasoning of human nature. In the Inca myth god carved out humans, and later realized that they were of no use. The gods in the Inca myth guided them through everyday chores. While in the Chinese myth, Pang Ku, the loss of the creator caused people to have pain and suffering in their lives. The explanation of natural phenomena, the cleansing of the Earth, and human behaviour are some of the, many common elements in creation myths. It astonishing how such different cultures, and countries so far apart from each other, have similar ideas. And as Joan D. Vinge said, different cultures have different values, and those values are added to creation myths, but the big picture is startlingly similar to all people.