The Mythology of Floods

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Throughout history myths play an important role in shaping cultures and civilizations. Since they’re meant to guide people morally it is not uncommon to find myths from different cultures with the same plots and lessons. The Epic of Gilgamesh, “Noah and the Flood”, “Deucalion”, and “Tata and Nena” all account of a great flood brought on by a God or gods. All four myths are similar in the sense that they describe a supreme being destroying life because of humanity wickedness and how a few commendable human beings repopulate the Earth giving birth to a new era; while the myths are remarkably similar they’re also very different.

“Noah and the Flood” depicts “the Lord” creating a new generation because of his actions. God decides to destroy all life but he saves Noah, “I have decided to put an end to all flesh...” (61). God’s ultimate decision to decision was caused by humanity. In God’s eyes humans have become corrupt and wicked so he takes it as his duty to punish them. Noah is a fair man and God values him thus saving Noah and his family. Noah’s righteous thoughts and actions save him and every creature on the boat. God promises to Noah, “...I will maintain My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood...” (63). The flood was a great disaster, but it also paves the way for a new generation. Noah, his kin, and the animals are pioneers to a new dawn of civilization. God can control this new civilization by preventing evilness and creating a code of law for people to follow. The flood is often view as a mechanism of destruction, but it is also a chance to start over and rebirth.

The Epic of Gilgamesh also tells about a great flood that share many similarities as with “Noah and the Flood”. T...

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...ly good can be disobedient and make mistake. With the punishment of Tata and Nana, Tlaloc is the first god to successfully destroy all life on Earth as he has promised. As a result, Tlaloc’s actions separate him from god(s) from other mythologies. Even though the flood brought on by Tlaloc did completely obliterate all form of life on Earth it still creates a chance to start over.

Many cultures and civilizations from all around the world have their own collection of mythologies. Mythologies serve as a moral guide in many societies so it’s not uncommon for stories to have similar lessons or plot line. The floods from all four stories were sent by a supreme being to destroy life because in their eyes humanity had been overtaken by wickedness and greed. Even though the floods were a symbol of destruction in all four stories it also mark the beginning of a new era.

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