A creation myth (or creation story) is a cultural, traditional or religious myth which describes the earliest beginnings of the present world. Creation myths are the most common form of myth, usually developing first in oral traditions, and are found throughout human culture. A creation myth is usually regarded by those who subscribe to it as conveying profound truths, although not necessarily in a historical or literal sense. They are commonly, although not always, considered cosmogonical myths—that is they describe the ordering of the cosmos from a state of chaos or amorphousness.
Contents
Creation from chaos
Earth diver
Emergence
Ex nihilo (out of nothing)
World Parent
Africa
Mesoamerica
Mid North America
South America
Central Asia
East Asia
Indian subcontinent
Europe
Middle East
Pacific Islands/Oceanic
In mythopoeia
In mythopoeia an artificial mythology is created by the writer of prose or other fiction. The authors in this genre integrate traditional mythological themes and archetypes into fiction. Some also feature creation myths: