Cosmogonic Myths and Theoretical Science

III. Myths of Creation by an Emergent Being


Introduction | Supreme BeingAncient ScienceEmergent CreatorWorld ParentsCosmogonic Water Cosmogonic Egg

Tomb of Auser

In the myths of Creation by an emergent Creator, we are to understand first that the Creator created himself/herself. The writers of Egypt and the Indian Subcontinent explain that s/he was "tired of his/her impersonality." In this chapter, we will consider representative myths from: Egypt, the Indian Subcontinent and the Zuni Indians of North America.

Egypt

Giza Pyramid The Cosmogony of the Pyramid Texts (c.2800 BCE} tells us that while reposing in Nun (primordial waters) in order to keep from being extinguished, Atum kept his eyes shut and remained enclosed in a lotus until weary of his own impersonality he rose by an effort of will. He rose in splendor as Ra (sun) or Atum-Re. He then bore his children, Su and Tefnut. At the same time, Re creates the first universe different from the "present one and men are produced from his tears." He governs his universe from a palace in Heliopolis. Images: Tomb of Auser, Time, May 29, 1995; Giza Pyramid

Indian Subcontinent

Lord Siva The mythology of the Indian subcontinent was never displaced by other religious movements like Christianity or Islam. There are two major groupings in Indian cosmogony: Vedic of Aryan India was shaped between 7,000 - 4000 BCE. The oldest of the written Vedas is the RG VEDA (hymn) in Sanscrit dating from 1500 BCE to 1200 BCE. In the RG VEDA there is a Sky Father - Dyaus Pitar (in Greek - Zeus, in Latin - Jupiter). In the second grouping of Brahmin cosmogony there are unnumbered worlds, unnumbered periods of creation, immortal Gods destined to be absorbed into the universe at the end of the cosmic cycle when Lord Shiva dances.

Zuni Indians of North America

hand mapWhen we read the Zuni myth of creation, we are not learning about the beginning in terms of past, present, and future but of that which is unmanifest or hidden, --not in conscious awareness. In the Zuni perspective, an event which occurred in the past as "in the beginning" does not become manifest until it is spoken. Thus, the Zuni story of creation occurs as it is being told; in the telling, creation becomes manifest or apparent, it enters conscious awareness. Similarly, an event which occurs in the present but in another place is considered to be unmanifest (hidden) until it is learned of.

Bibliography

Back to Top


Home Page | Chapters



Social and Behavioral Sciences E-Campus
Comments to: Webmaster
Content copyright © 1985-2007 Joan A. Andersen, All Rights Reserved
Revised: 2 February 2007
URL: http://users.erols.com/bcccsbs/hum207.htm