earth-diver myth
Quick Summary
The earth-diver myth is a creation story found in many cultures, particularly in North America and Siberia, and also among Finno-Ugric peoples. These myths typically involve a primordial body of water and an animal that dives into it to retrieve earth. This retrieved earth is then used to create the world.12
In some versions, a divine being or God instructs an animal, often the Devil, to dive for the earth. The success of the dive and the amount of earth retrieved can vary, sometimes leading to the formation of mountains and hills from deceitful attempts to hide some of the earth. These myths often explain the origin of the world and sometimes the presence of evil.12
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creation mythCreation by earth diversTwo elements are important in myths of this type. There is, first, the theme of the cosmogonic water representing the undifferentiated waters that are present before the earth has been created. Secondly, there is an animal who plunges into the water to secure…
Read MoreTwo elements are important in myths of this type. There is, first, the theme of the cosmogonic water representing the undifferentiated waters that are present before the earth has been created. Secondly, there is an animal who plunges into the water to secure…
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mythCosmogoniesThe widely distributed earth-diver myth is the most familiar example of dualistic creation (see above Myths of origin).
Read MoreThe widely distributed earth-diver myth is the most familiar example of dualistic creation (see above Myths of origin).
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