The Value Behind Creation Myths: By Briana Cotten

A creation myth is a symbolic narrative based on the creation of the world. These myths reveal how people of past cultures see the world and try to understand it. In today’s society, we value creation myths as a means of learning about different cultures which overall affects a person’s frame of reference. Myths influence the way people perceive the world, allowing one to draw their own conclusion explaining how the world came to be.

    While many creation myths are drastically divergent, there are a few common characteristics shared between them all. To start, a Supreme Being appears in almost every myth. The Supreme Being either creates the world them self and/or is the catalyst to trigger the events. In addition, one should be able to connect each creation myth to at least one of Joseph Campbell’s four functions of a myth principles. Campbell’s four functions of a myth are…

1. Mystical:  to instill a sense of awe toward the mystery of the universe
2. Cosmological:  to explain the workings of the natural world
3. Sociological:  to support and validate social customs
4. Pedagogical:  to guide people through the trials of living

      Overall, it is human nature to question the unknown and search for meaning and answers. By conducting research on the given creation myth of a culture, one can learn a lot of information. In today’s world, creation myths are still forming and evolving based upon scientific theories and laws.