...Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures Edward Jones Hum/105Class May 30, 2014 Christa Menninger This essay will go into detail about how creation myths may affect our many different cultures around the world. I hope to explain how these types of myths are an important part of our cultures throughout our country and world. In many instances these types of myths does have an impact of the people who live in the many different countries of the world. I have had a very hard time in believing in myths, stories, fables, folklore, and have never really thought about them up until now. By taking this class I hope to open my mind, and yours to the possibilities of myths and the involvement it plays in our culture, and other cultures around the world. The first myth that I chose for this assignment is The Navajo Creation Myth. The reason I chose this myth is because I am interested in the myths that surround the United States, and the cultures within this country. The Navajo people were believed to be hunter-gatherers, and these people had migrate from the eastern part of Alaska. These people migrated to what we now know as New Mexico, and this migration was all done on foot, and I for one would have not traveled over the 3,500 miles of uncharted territory by foot. Navajo people were either forced to move or there were circumstances that came up that made them have to move. Knowing that the Navajo people are an important part of our history and culture, it is also important...
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...November 21, 2015 What are myths? According to our text, "myths are ancient narratives that attempt to answer the enduring and fundamental human operations: How did the universe and the world come to be? How did we come to be here? Who are we? What are our proper, necessary, or inescapable roles as we relate to one another and to the world at large? What should our values be? How should we behave? How should we not behave? What are the consequences of behaving and not behaving in such ways?" Leonard and McLure, (2004) There are many ways that the word myth is used as well as independent definitions and just as many correlations between different cultures for the same myth. Let's look at the foundation of the word myth and all of its implications. The term myth is most popularly used today as something that is false, an untruth if you will – an urban legend; a rumor or a hoax. There are many things here in New Mexico that are considered to be a myth. We are home to thousands of Hispanics. There are many "myths" here in New Mexico about Chupacabras – which are literally translated as "goat-sucker", from chupar ("to suck") and cabra ("goat"). Wikipedia, (2015). We have much livestock here in New Mexico and purportedly, some of them were often times found dead with no blood left and three holes that were punctured in their chests – just one of the stories of this area; and a story that was brought over from Puerto Rico, where it originated. Another myth that is told to our children...
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...World Mythology Final Exam 2. The term myth is one that is not easily defined and my definition of the term has changed over the length of the semester. In our first essay I defined myth as “a story or narrative that attempts to explain something in a certain culture.” Looking back now I can see that I had a pretty good base for the definition but after learning so much about myths around the world I find it even harder to define myth now than before. It seems that the more I learn about myths, the more complicated they get. I believe that to define myth you must first understand what myth is. Myths are used for a variety of reasons such as explaining natural phenomena, explaining human creation, giving reasons for the appearance of plants and animals, as well as special events in a culture. A lot of myths in different cultures try to explain the inexplicable, such as why the sun appears to move across the sky every day or what causes lightning. I would define myth as a story, either written or narrated, passed down from those of previous generations to explain natural events, supernatural events, or special events in their culture to help them feel more comfortable about the world in which they live in and gives them a sense of belonging. We have seen this time and time again in our readings and movies from class in everything from The Whale Rider, to Gilgamesh, to Ender’s Game. I believe that my perception of myth has slowly evolved throughout the semester because...
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...The myths within different cultures cosmic creation 105 6/29/2015 Dr. AMBRONITA DOUZART The myths within different cultures cosmic creation With the stories of the myths creations, they have told to generation-to-generation. To give a clear understand, of the world how it started. Also created to what it has become now. It explains the reasons of how the human being created, in came to function on in the world. With these myths different cultures, have their stories to tell of myths as such. The two creations myths that I will be discussing is the Navajo. The Inca, they are signifying as the world that is on the earth with the moon. The sun elements of animals, fire, trees, water all symbolize the world Navajo also the Inca. With the Incan, believe the sun created the world, also who created the world. For the Navajo the sun, just like it created for the Inca. With both of these creators, they all made worlds for the people within their society the main, reason with both the Inca Navajo creators. For the creators of both of these societies, they have different methods of making the world. Also within Both the Inca and the Navajo, the creators gender is a man, not women. For the reason, women were not the symbol, of power and valued, as men would be in these cultures as creators. With the Navajo society world The Pachacamer is the Inca maker, of the maker of people. Although the myths of the Navajo maker has already started creating people,...
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...• How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, “It’s a myth” mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words. According to Harper (2010), "a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature. " Dictionary.com defines myth as a traditional or legendary story. The word myth is used to address what is real and what is not real in academic context. For example; some traditional and legendary stories are Santa Claus, St. Nick, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy. These stories became a part of many people everyday lives. The myths of these stories were told to young children to get them to understand rather than give them the full truth in details. A myth is a fairytale that is told to children to create a dramatic and more exciting effect. • Why do myths from different cultures around the world address such similar or universal themes? Think about how myths explain the unknown and the tribulations of mankind. Myths from around the world or universe are similar in many ways but according to the different cultures, the individual can have different beliefs. The way myths are presented in movies...
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...the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, “It’s a myth” mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words. According to Leonard (2004), "Official myths like the Illiad and Odyssey, The Theogony- or the Bhagavad Gita or the Bible- are inevitably reconstructions from snatches of folklore and legend, artistically put together with an eye for drama and meaning. But real myths are, like one's own dreams, so fresh they are not yet recognized as myth or scripture and are fragmentary, imagistic rather than verbal, emergent, capable of forming many different stories at one" Dictionary.com defines myth as a traditional or legendary story. Myth is used in an academic context to address what is real and what is not real. Myth is used throughout society through stories and legends. These stories become part of our everyday lives through watching science fiction movies, reading science fiction books, and other books with mystical characters. Some legendary and traditional stories are St. Nick, Santa Claus, a stork, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy. Myths such as these are created for young children. The stork is easier to use to explain to a young child where babies come from rather than giving them the truth in detail. A myth is a story that we tell children to create a dramatic and more exciting effect. Myths are like fairytales...
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... Gail Ashwood January 23, 1999 MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY Five Myths About Marriage And The Family Myth 1 Families Were Happier In the Past Myth 2 Marrying And Having Children Are the “Natural” Thing To Do Myth 3 “Good” Families Are Self Sufficient Myth 4 Every Family Is a Bastion Of Love And Support Myth 5 We Should All Strive To Be A “Perfect” Family It is unfortunate that common myths have shaped our beliefs concerning marriage and the family. Knowing what has been deemed as image instead of reality is instrumental in the transformation from a dysfunctional to a functional marriage and family. It is interesting that the first most common myth about the marriage and the family refers to the past: the “good old days.” Seemingly, this myth has influenced the formation of the other four myths. The “good old days” can refer to any period of time concerning or covering the past. Movies and television have spread the notion that people were happier, there were fewer problems and families were stronger in the past. We live in a world of change. The technological advances, the growth in business, industry, education and the economy all have produced change in our lives. Inevitably, people must change. As people have changed, the effects have been evidenced in the family structure and even in gender roles. There would...
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...Mythology How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, “It’s a myth” mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words. According to Leonard (2004), "Official myths like the Iliad, Odyssey, the Theogony, or the Bhagavad Gita and even the Bible- are inevitably reconstructions from parts of folklore and legend, artistically put together with an eye for drama and meaning. However genuine sagas are, like an individual’s imaginings, so fresh, that they are not recognizable, as a myth or scripture and tend to be fragmentary, somewhat imagistic rather than oral, up-and-coming, proficient of developing various stories at one," (Leonard & McClure, "Chapter One / Robert Ellwood “Real Myths," 2004). Dictionary.com defines myth as a traditional or legendary story ("Myth," 2012). Such legends are used in a theoretical perspective to address that which is real and that which is not. Myths are used throughout all societies through stories and legends, which teach life-lessons. Such stories are a part of the everyday lives of all, through science fiction books and movies, including books about other mystical characters. A number of legendary and traditional examples include St. Nick, Santa Claus, storks that bring newborns, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy. The aforementioned myths are created for young children...
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...“Icarus” Poem Analysis The poem “Icarus” by Edward Field tells the story of Icarus’s life after his wings fall to pieces and he plummets into the ocean. In the poem, unlike in the myth, Icarus swims ashore and grows up to live a mundane life in the modern world. Field adapts the myth to a contemporary setting so that a modern audience can better understand the inner turmoil Icarus experiences on a daily basis in his new life. Icarus was once capable of great things; he and his father were the first men to fly. Now he is older and stuck in a dull, meaningless life and is unable to relearn how to fly. The poem uses the story of Icarus as a metaphor for the experiences of many people as they become adults. When they are young, there are no bounds to what they believe they can accomplish; they feel they could reach the sun if they wanted too. But when they enter adulthood they are hit with the hard reality of how difficult it is to accomplish great things or make a difference. These people, now shaped into adults by their...
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...knowledge and understanding of the topic and more understanding of thyself. By answering these questions the foundations of mythology can be better understood. Basics of Myth First, let’s consider how the word myth is used popularly. In popular literature, popular television, and throughout human interactions the word myth is uses to address or categorize what is really and what is not real. Throughout society myths are used in stories and legends told. Overtime these stories become part of everyday life. This embedment into everyday lives happens through watching science fiction movies, reading fiction books, and other types of literature whether verbal, text, or movies that are about mystical characters. Some more popular legendary and traditional stories told throughout time include that of St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, the tooth fairy, and even the stork. These type of myths were created for young children but there are some that are geared towards adults. According to Leonard (2004), "Official myths like the Illiad and Odyssey, The Theogony- or the Bhagavad Gita or the Bible- are inevitably reconstructions from snatches of folklore and legend, artistically put together with an eye for drama and meaning. But real myths are, like one's own dreams, so fresh they are not yet recognized as myth or scripture and are fragmentary, imagistic rather than verbal, emergent, capable of forming many different stories at one.”...
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...Cosmic Creation Myths Across Culture Kaydiann A. Davis Hum/105 October 15, 2015 Leif Olson Cosmic Creation Myths Across Culture Creation and cosmic myths have been active across different cultures for many years, and from the beginning of time; they were created to help humankind comprehend and explain the dimensions and connections to the sky, earth, or underworld. All three worlds are considered imperative to the sustenance and maintenance of human existence within the universe. Although there are many myths existing in today's world; the Vishnu myth from the Hindu creation, and the Egyptian myth of Osiris, Isis, and Horus which created hope for Egyptians assuring them, that if they live well with one another on earth they will live a life of peace and tranquility after death. To understand these myths we have first to identify the worlds and the element embedded in those worlds, define the creators, describe what they created, and the process of creation. Then compare these components, and analyze the role of cosmic occurrence, and the elements presented in both myths. Finally assessing the importance of creation and cosmic myths, and the core values they represent in our existence today. The Vishnu creation myth is represented by earth and sky worlds, with Vishnu having a direct correlation to the sun, which represents the sky world. Then there is the earth world that is represented by Rudha, the destructive side of Vishnu that erects storms and create floods destroying...
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...Angels Love: the all-consuming, all-encompassing life source we search for. It can be found in almost everywhere. Movies and songs are dedicated to sharing the myths of love. So I chose the movie “City of Angels” as the one of the movies I can see the love myth in. “City of Angels” is about an angel who looks over the city of Los Angeles. Thousands of angels keep watch over the city. Seth notices a surgeon, Maggie, while she is trying to save a life. He feels as though she can see him, and he is intrigued by her. Seth follows her, watches her, and wills her to see him. Finally Maggie does. She is curious about him, and yet seems to have a fear of him. When Seth tells Maggie he is actually an angel, Maggie runs from him. This is too much for her to bear, and she seems to think he is a bit deranged. She is engaged to marry another surgeon, so she goes back to him. While roaming the hospital halls Seth meets a patient, Mr. Messenger, who was once an angel himself. Seth realizes that he has a choice to make. He can have everlasting life as an angel, or he can choose Maggie and a natural life. “I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it”, says Seth (City of Angels). Mr. Messenger tells him he must fall, in order to love and live. He falls from a building, and for the first time experiences true human emotions and pain. Seth runs through the city looking for Maggie. He goes through many...
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...American Dream As a Myth Erica Rideout HUMN240-F1WW Professor Deborah Rosenstock July 7, 2012 The myth of the American Dream does not have to be taught or learned. Growing up in America, it is imbedded in our minds at a young age that America has it all. American is the land of opportunity and allows its citizens to work hard and gain an uncapped amount of success. However, it is more apparent that this “dream” has transformed into a myth over the several years since its creation. Once upon a time, America was seen as the place to gain opportunity and success. However, as times continue to change, this vision of the dream continues to slip out of American’s hands and more into the mind as a myth. The major component of the myth of the American Dream is a simple one. America is the land of the free and home of the brave. Our American ancestors have fought for freedom and gained it allowing fellow Americans endless opportunities that can lead to great success. These opportunities do not just end with Americans; they are extended to all nationalities that come to America with hopes of living the so called American Dream. Although the American Dream may just be a myth, it definitely gives people hope. Most times, that hope is enough to lead to the drive and determination necessary to reach some level of the American Dream. There are several artifacts that help display the myth of the American Dream. Two artifacts that I have chosen are relevant to views...
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...World Creators Creation myths are stories about the birth of our world and the people that inhabit it. Every culture has a myth or story on how the world was created and where civilization began. During ancient time creation myths and stories were their cosmological research. Creation myths reveal a lot about the thoughts of humans from the past and how they saw and understood the world during their time. Their minds were not that much different than ours, and the myths of the past teach us a lot about ourselves today. Even though it is not the oldest of the creation myths it is however one of the oldest that is documented. Enuma Elish or also known as the Babylonia creation story begins with the creation of the world with a battle for sovereignty between the Gods. According to the myth the Babylonian God Marduk defeats the gods of old that the neighboring culture inherited. When it comes to the actual creation of the world, which is my main interest in the epic, Enuma Elish has two separate accounts of it. The first one is in the beginning, where the waters of Tiamat and Apsu are joined, and the second one is when Marduk has killed Tiamat and uses her corpse to build the world (Stenudd, N.d.). Another myth that I found to be interesting was Xingo or The creation of man from Brazil, in this myth the world was already created but man was not. This myth begins with Mavutsinim, the primordial deity whom may or may have not created the world. The story of Mavutsinim is that he...
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...Mackey How is the word myth used popularly? For a long time I avoided using the word myth because it means so many different things to different people. Academic experts on myth debate heatedly about what a myth is and how it functions in human life. In fact, with so many conflicting meanings and so much debate, some scholars have declared the word meaningless and abandoned it altogether. (Word press 2014) For example, what does the statement, "It's a myth" mean? “Myth” is derived from the Greek word mythos, which can mean tale, or story, and that is essentially what a myth is: a story. For many, such a general definition proves to be of no real service, and some would add the qualification that a myth must be a “traditional” tale or story, one that has proved of so lasting a value that it is continually retold, through whatever medium the artist/storyteller chooses to employ. In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? Myth is used in many ways and is something to keep you thinking and on your toes. It’s used to look at things different ways like the most recent dress that was going on line, is the dress blue and black or white and gold? Just from asking most of my friends and family it was just about 50/50. Now you have to ask yourself what is the real color. After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words? To me a myth is something made up but can be very real and has...
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