Common Motifs In Creation Myths

Creation myths have many similarities and differences that lead me to believe the common motifs could be true, while the differences may be false. In many creation myths around the world they try to explain life from the beginning, three main motifs exist in these myths: A battle for power, incest, and the use of organic materials to create human beings. A battle for power I find surprising because coming from a Catholic family we believe the world started from only two human beings, while in many other creation myths there were many individuals at the beginning of time trying to secure their throne. The motif of incest I also find surprising because in today's world, we see incest as inferior, and have proved that the offspring can be born

Battle For Power Have you ever had authority just handed to you without you doing something that made you deserve the award? I believe that for most people the answer is no, this is seen in many creation myths as a battle for overall power often takes place. One of my favorite battles for power was in the Greek creation myth, the Theogony; in the myth Titan mother Rhea, hides her son Zeus, from her husband Cronus, that in the past has consumed their children in fear of being overpowered. Zeus, later engaged in a war with all the Titans, and released his brothers and sisters from Cronus’s stomach. After the battle was over, Zeus and all the other Olympians that defeated the Titans and gained full power of the earth. Another example for a battle for power in creation myths was in the Enuma Elish. In the myth, Tiamat, the saltwater sea, plans to engage in a battle with God Ea and Goddess Damkina, to avenge the death of her mate Aspu, the sweetwater sea. Ea and Damkina, create their own super-weapon, the great god