This is a compilation of all the creation stories and myths of every region on our planet. This is the first part of many to come. I seek to find the similarities of all of these stories, in hopes to establish a firm truth of what caused the creation of our universe, and why?
Chinese Story
In ancient Chinese mythology, the creation story can be accredited to the Daoist writings of Xu Zheng, who authored the Three Five Historic Records in the 3rd century AD. Even though this seems relatively recent, it is believed that Xu Zheng based his writings off of creation stories of the Yao people of southern China, who dominated in the 2nd century AD, or the ancient Hindu religion’s creation story, which predates Xu Zheng’s writings by about 2000 years, which would be 4000 years ago to us.
The myth begins with a universe of chaos and disorder all within a big, black egg. Inside the egg, the first man, named Pangu, slept and grew for 18,000 years.
While Pangu slept, the concept of duality, known as the yin ang yang, also grew and developed. Once Pangu awoke, he wanted to break free from the egg, so he cracked it open which effectively separated the sky above him and the earth below him, as well as separated the yin and yang.
Pangu held both pieces for a long time, and grew taller while doing so. Because of this, the distance between the sky and earth grew. There are different versions of the story that all claim to be true after this moment. One version claims that the turtle, qilin, phoenix and dragon assisted Pangu in holding the two pieces apart and forming the sky and earth.
After another 18,000 years, Pangu died, and his body became the soil of the earth, where the parasites of his body became humans. Two other versions claim that Pangu formed the earth with a chisel and hammer, and that a goddess, who came after Pangu, formed humans, respectively (ancient-origins.net).
Indian Story
What is understood to be the story of creation in India has undergone many transformations over time. In the Vedic period, which was about 2000 years ago, the story of creation did not contain the complexities that are considered to be part of the divine story, today. Even back in 3500 BCE, the Indus River Valley civilization, which is believed to be one of the first advanced civilizations in human history due to intelligent infrastructure, practiced meditation along with worshipping a supreme, father creator. Religious tradition in India has changed drastically since then. Over time, religious beliefs have grown into something much more elaborate.
The Hindu story of creation, as believed by modern day Hindus, begins with three gods who are part of the divine trinity and who altogether make up the Supreme One. These three gods are the creator Brahma, the preserver Vishnu, and the destroyer Shiva. In the nothingness of the beginning of the universe, Vishnu lay sleeping in the endless coils of a serpent, who was protecting his sleep. Out of the nothingness came a constant pulsing of energy, called Aum. This pulsing of energy caused Vishnu to awaken, ending night and creating dawn. Once Vishnu was awake, a lotus flower formed at his naval, with Brahma, his servant, sitting on top awaiting his lord’s next command. Vishnu said, “It is time to begin”, and subsequently commanded Brahma to “Create the world.” After this, a wind and energy swept up the waters and the nothingness, which caused Vishnu and the serpent to vanish. Once this happened, Brahma remained sitting on the lotus flower.
He grew the lotus flower into a great tree, which was separated into three sections: the earth, the skies, and the heavens (in that order). Brahma then created all of the different forms of life on earth, giving each living thing feelings and a spirit. Shiva, who is not mentioned in the story, means nothingness, and is the supreme god out of the three. Shiva is interlaced with the soul and contributes to one’s sense of self. Ironically, Shiva is also the god who destroys, and transforms the universe.
…to be continued…