Common Elements In Creation Myths

"All men have need of the gods"- Homer. Creation myths are explanations of the world. Although these myths are separated by time and place, many of them still manage to retain common themes and similarities between them.

Themes of void, nature and sacrifice are unusual in myths because the people's beliefs and ways of life were so different. A common element in many myths is void before earth. For example, in the Phan Ku myth, before Phan Ku created earth, there was nothing except for a cosmic egg. Another example is in the Nordic myth where before earth, there was only Ginnungagap, the vast emptiness. This proves that regardless of time and place, there can be connections between myths.

Another common element in many myths is the explanation of nature. In the Phan Ku myth, Phan Ku caused all the natural phenomena, and when he died, all the parts of his body became part of the earth. Also, in the maori myth, Rangi, Papa, and Tawhiri were the beings that caused all the natural phenomena such as floods, storms and more. This proves that people from different countries can still share the same thinking and ideas.

A third common element in many myths is the theme of self sacrifice. In the Phan Ku myth, when Phan Ku died, he had to sacrifice his body so that the earth could become a better place to live in. Rangi and Papa also had to sacrifice their bodies for a better earth in the Maori myth. This shows that people can still have the same themes and feelings about sacrifice even if they live very far apart.

All these common elements in myths have proved that myths are so spread out over the world but humankind thinks the same all over the world. "Myths are the early dreams of mankind"-Freud. That is something I truly believe.