■Around 13.8 billion BCE
Birth of the Universe
At the moment of the Big Bang, when the universe was the size of subatomic particles, there was no light, and it took about 300,000 years for the universe to become visible.
After its birth, the universe consisted of scattered atoms, electrons, and atomic nuclei. Since the atoms had not yet solidified into matter, electrons freely roamed about. As the universe expanded and cooled, the once dense and murky cosmos became transparent. With the cosmos becoming more spacious, electrons began to be captured by atomic nuclei, leading to the formation of atoms. As matter solidified, the free-roaming electrons disappeared. With the absence of these wandering electrons, numerous gaps formed, allowing light to travel in straight lines. Thus, it took approximately 300,000 years for matter to solidify and light to become visible.
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Reference:
"Particles that Keep You Awake and Fascinated" by Kaoru Takeuchi
Hopi Creation Myth
In the mythology of the Hopi, Native Americans from North America, symbols of two snakes can also be observed. According to their myth, the creation of the universe is described as follows:
(First World - Tokpela)
The first world was called Tokpela, the infinite universe, where initially only the Creator, Taiowa, existed. Everything else was the infinite universe itself. There was no beginning or end, no time, space, form, or life. Only emptiness existed. Then, this infinite being gave birth to the finite and created Sotuknang, delivering the following message:
"I have created you as a human, the first power and vessel, to carry out my plan of bringing life into the infinite universe. You are my grandfather, and I am your nephew. Now, let us harmoniously work together to bring order to the universe."
Sotuknang followed the instructions of the infinite being and gathered the entities emerging from the infinite universe as individual beings. He created seven universes. When he finished, Sotuknang asked Taiowa, "Does this align with your plan?" Taiowa responded, "Well done," and further added:
"I also want you to create water in the same way. Place water in these universes, dividing it equally among them."
Sotuknang gathered the entities appearing as water from the infinite space and placed it in each universe, making them half-solid and half-liquid. He said to Taiowa:
"Have I fulfilled my task according to your will?"
To which Taiowa replied:
"Well done. Next, I request you to do the same with the wind."
Sotuknang gathered the entities appearing as wind from the infinite universe and arranged them to move gently around each universe. Taiowa was pleased with this and said:
"Nephew, you have done a great job following my plan. You have created the universe, formed individual beings, made water and wind, and arranged them correctly. However, it is not yet complete. Create life and fulfill the four parts of my cosmic plan, Tsuwakaki."
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Reference:
"The Hopi Bible: Origins of God, Man, and Religion in America's Oldest Indian"
Common Element of Creation Myths: "Emptiness"
In the creation myths of various cultures around the world, including the Hopi tribe, the concept of "emptiness" is present and is expressed in different words. From this emptiness, gods are born, who then proceed to create the heavens, the earth, and humanity. This concept also reflects the idea of the Big Bang in the birth of the universe.
- In the mythology of the Fulani people, who inhabit Nigeria and West Africa, the symbol of a giant drop of milk represents the beginning. At the onset, there was nothing but a massive drop of milk. The creator god, Doondari, arrived and created stones. The stones produced iron, and iron created fire. Fire gave birth to water, and water brought forth air. Doondari descended to the earth and created humans from the five elements.
- Among the Dogon people of Mali in West Africa, the initial world had no universe; only the celestial creator god, Amma, existed. Amma created the universe through words and then created the first life, Nommo, who gave birth to the "egg of the world" from the primordial womb.
- In the Fon mythology of the Dahomey people in West Africa, there was pre-existing matter. From this, the god Mawu-Lisa created, formed, and ordered the universe. Mawu is female, and Lisa is male. The power of the serpent is embodied in their son, Da, who assists in maintaining the order of the cosmos. When the snake appears in the rainbow, "the male is the red part, and the female is the blue part." Da wraps himself in 3,500 coils above and below the earth, aiding Mawu-Lisa in their act of creation.
- Among the Yoruba people of Nigeria, chaos akin to a swamp existed at the beginning. The world was initially a damp, chaotic swamp, neither sea nor land. The supreme god, Olodumare, resided in the celestial realm above and commanded the great Orisanla god to create the world. Land and sea were formed. Meanwhile, in the heavens, Olodumare began the creation of the first humans.
- In another Yoruba tradition, there was a vast, desolate swamp. The hunter-god Ogun descended with the help of a spider's thread to this desolate swamp that existed before the formation of the earth.
- Among the Pygmy people of Central Africa, the supreme spirit is called "Kongoum." It is said, "In the beginning, there was God. Today, God is still present. God will be here tomorrow." The formless and eternal Kongoum interacts with humans through the mediation of animals, often represented by a chameleon. After the creation of the world, Kongoum lowered the first humans (Pygmies) from the sky to the earth. Various animals and plants were also provided.
- In the mythology of the Kuba people from Central Africa, water is the central element. At the beginning of the world, there was only water. Then, the giant creator deity, Bumba, vomited out the sun, moon, and stars. Light emerged from these, generating heat in the world and causing the water to dry up.
- In one of the Aboriginal Australian myths, there is an infinite desert. In the beginning of this world, the Rainbow Serpent, known as "Eingana," lay alone in the infinite desert. Eingana grew tired of this and created all the living creatures on the Earth.
- In another Aboriginal Australian myth, the world consists only of the sea. The primordial god, the Rainbow Serpent called "Wungud," gathers mud from the seabed to alleviate the loneliness of being the only entity. Wungud stirs the sea with a boomerang to create foam, from which a massive landmass is formed. Wungud then lays countless eggs to bring forth life.
- In Tahiti, darkness is the primary element. When there was nothing in the world but darkness, the great shell in which Tāngaroa resided existed. Tāngaroa slowly lifted the shell he lived in higher and higher, which became the great hemisphere of the sky.
- In the mythology of the Mariana Islands in Micronesia, the concept is emptiness. The oldest beings in the world were a giant named "Puntan" and his sister, who lived alone in emptiness. Before dying, Puntan instructed his sister to create the world. From his chest and shoulders, heaven and earth were formed, his eyes became the sun and moon, and his eyelashes turned into rainbows.
- In the Tuamotu Islands of Polynesia, the myth speaks of "Atea," the original moving celestial space, an existence without form. The first-born from Atea and his wife, Fahotu, was the sorcerer named Tafu.
- In Tahiti, Polynesia, the deity Ta'aroa is the creator god. Ta'aroa "grew within solitude. He had no father or mother, and he was both his own parents. Ta'aroa's primal state was beyond comprehension. He existed both above and below and was within the stones. Ta'aroa was the house of the gods. His backbone became the ridgepole, and his ribs provided support." Next, the god cracked open a shell, emerged, and stood upon the shattered fragments. Gazing into the primordial darkness, he understood that he was alone. Ta'aroa then transformed his own form into the form of humans and created all things that exist in the universe. In another version, Ta'aroa created the universe from every part of his body except his head.
- In the Hawaiian mythology of Kumulipo, there is a myth of "Po," a long night without daylight. The earth mother goddess, Papa, and the sky father god, Wakea, embraced tightly, preventing light from entering from the outside. From the darkness of Po, coral insects were born, followed by tube worms and sea cucumbers, fish, plants, reptiles, birds, dogs, pigs, and finally, the gods. The gods forcibly separated Papa and Wakea, and the world became filled with light. Humans were subsequently created.
- In Egyptian mythology, there is the primordial ocean or chaos called "Nu." From the chaos of Nu, Ra (Atum) was born.
- In the Babylonian creation epic Enuma Elish, there is the freshwater sea god, Apsu, and the chaos personified as the mother goddess, Tiamat. Apsu was initially present, and everything was born from him. Tiamat, representing chaos, was also a mother who gave birth to everything.
- In Greek mythology, there is "Chaos," representing the primordial state of the universe. Until the creation of heaven, earth, and sea, the world was a single entity known as Chaos. It was a shapeless and terrifying mass, immensely heavy, yet within it, the seeds of things slept. Finally, the gods and nature intervened, separating the earth from the sea and the sky from the earth, organizing the chaos.
- In Islamic scripture, the Quran, there is "nothingness." Allah first created everything from nothingness and will return it to nothingness. Allah created the heavens and the earth from nothingness and placed darkness and light within them. He is the living God, the eternal and ever-present.
- In the mystical philosophy of Kabbalah, based on Jewish teachings, there is "Ein" (nothingness, 0). From Ein, Ein Sof (infinite) emerges, and from Ein Sof, Ein Sof Or (infinite light) is generated.
- In the New Testament of the Christian Bible, in the Gospel of John, there is "Logos" (the Word). In the beginning, there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word was present in the beginning with God. All things came into being through the Word.
- In the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament of Christianity, there is no specific name corresponding to "nothingness," but God is introduced later. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day' and the darkness 'night.' Evening passed, and morning came, marking the first day."
- In the Yezidi religion of the Kurdish people in Iraq, there is no specific name corresponding to "nothingness," but God is mentioned later. "God created the Seven Great Angels as manifestations of himself. God created the universe from a broken pearl-like sphere and sent Melek Taus, the chief of the Seven Great Angels in the form of a peacock, to the Earth. On Earth, there was Adam, an immortal and perfect being created by God."
- In the Gnostic Valentinian tradition, there is the Primordial Father, Propator. Propator, the sole existing entity, created various Aeons. The Aeon called Nous gave birth to Christ.
- In the Gnostic Sethian tradition, there is a genderless and invisible spirit, the Supreme God. From the Supreme God, the first Aeon named Barbelo was born.
- In the Gnostic Ophite tradition's "Book of Baruch," there are three principles that existed from the beginning without being born from anything. The first principle is the "Good One," the second principle is the "Father of All" or "Elohim," and the third principle is called "Eden" or "Israel."
- In the Avesta, the sacred scripture of Zoroastrianism, there is "Zurvan," representing infinite time. "We worship Ahura Mazda (Spenta Mainyu), who created the cattle and heavenly order, created water and good plants, created all light and the great earth." In the Avesta, the appearances of "infinite time" and "Ahura Mazda" are in different sections.
- In the later Zoroastrian Zervanism, there is "Zurwan" (Infinite Time). From Zurwan, Ahura Mazda and others were born.
- In the Edda, the compilation of Norse mythology, there is a bottomless ocean and a mist-like world. Clouds formed in the sky of the light realm to the south of the misty world, and from those clouds, a frost giant called Ymir and its progeny, the cow Audhumla, were born. Gods, in the form of humans born from Audhumla, created three brothers named Odin, Vili, and Ve.
- In Finnish mythology, in the epic Kalevala, there was a primordial sea. At the beginning of the world, a celestial maiden named Ilmatar floated alone on the surface of the primordial sea.
- In Romanian mythology, there was a vast expanse of water. Before the creation of the world, there was only water, and upon it resided gods and demons. The gods decided to create land, so they commanded the demons to dive to the bottom of the sea and bring back the seeds of the earth in the name of the gods.
- In the ancient Indian scripture Bhagavad Gita, it is referred to by several names. It is called the Holy Bhagavad, Purusha, Brahman, Atman, Krishna, the Primeval God, and Myself, among others. "I am the source of everything. All things emerge from Me. The ancient sages, the great seers of the past, as well as the four Manus, all possess qualities similar to Mine, for they are born of My mind. From them, the innate nature of the world is born."
- In the ancient Indian scripture Mahabharata, in the first volume, there is the concept of the great cosmos. In the distant past, when there was no light or brilliance, and everything was enveloped in darkness, the great "cosmic egg," the eternal seed of all creation, appeared. It was called Mahadeva, the Great God, also known as Lord Shiva, and it was born at the beginning of the Yuga (age). Within it existed "Brahma." From this egg, beings such as the forefathers, Manu, Daksha, and his seven sons, as well as water, the heavens, the earth, the air, space, seasons, weeks, days, and nights were born.
- In the ancient Indian scripture Chandogya Upanishad, there is the concept of the void. "In the beginning, this void, this nothingness, existed. It has always existed. It unfolded. The cosmic egg was born. It lay dormant for a year. Then, the egg split into two. One part became silver, and the other part turned into gold. The silver part became the earth, and the golden part became the heavens. (Omitted) All things in this world and all desires emerged."
- In the Buddhist Heart Sutra, there is the concept of emptiness. "Form is emptiness; emptiness is form." It means that if one thoroughly examines the essence of all things (form), there is no inherent existence .
- In the 14th-century Tibetan Buddhist historical text, The clear mirror of royal genealogies, the concept of space is described as boundless and empty. From all ten directions, winds arise and intermingle, forming a wheel-like crosswind, from which various things emerge and come into being.
- In the mythology of the Ahom people in South Asia, the primordial water of the ocean is significant. In the beginning, there were no gods or humans. The water of the ocean surrounded the void. There was no existence of the heavens and the earth, and there was no air. Only the "Great God," the omnipotent being, existed and floated like a swarm of bees in a nest. He brought order to the universe and transformed the land into a habitable place.
- In the mythology of the Tagalog people in the Philippines, the elements of the sea and the sky are prominent. When the world began, there was no land, only the sea and the sky. A bird named Tobi existed between the sea and the sky. The wind of the land and the wind of the sea married and gave birth to a child in the form of bamboo. One day, while floating in the water, the bamboo accidentally struck Tobi's leg near the shore. The angry bird pecked at it, and suddenly, a man emerged from one part and a woman from another part. They produced many children, from whom all races were born.
- In the Mongolian creation mythology, water plays a significant role. Before the creation of the heavens and the earth, everything was water, and there was no existence of the heavens or the earth. At that time, Tenger Garin Khan (Tengri Khairkhan), the supreme god among the gods, the beginning of all existence, and the father and mother of the human race, appeared and first created humans in a similar form.
- In another Mongolian creation mythology, water is also significant. At the beginning, there was only water, and then the Buddhist god Lama arrived with an iron rod and began stirring it. As a result, wind and fire arose, and the center of the water became thick, giving birth to the Earth.
- In the mythology of the Buryat-Mongol people, there is the concept of the primordial ocean. Above the primordial ocean, the creator god Sonbor Burkhan existed and created the first land.
- In Chinese mythology's "San Guo Li Qi," there is a chaotic state, like the content of an egg. From within this chaos, Pangu was born, and the separation of heaven and earth began.
- In Taoism in China, there is the concept of the Tao, which is formless and quiet. Something existed in chaos, prior to the creation of heaven and earth. It was silent and formless, standing alone, independent of any other entity, and can be considered the mother of this world. In another context, it is stated that the Tao, called "Wu," gave birth to the "One," the One gave birth to the "Heaven and Earth" as the Two, and the Two, with the addition of Yin and Yang, gave birth to the Three, which then produced all things. The deification of the Tao is known as the Tai Shang Dao Jun.
- In the Yin-Yang philosophy of China, the concept of the primordial chaos or "chaos" is present. Within this chaos, the Yang Qi becomes the heavens, and the Yin Qi becomes the earth. There are also myths that include the primordial female figure called "Taiyuan," which encompasses both Yin and Yang.
- In the ancient Chinese book "Yijing" or "Book of Changes," there is the concept of "Taiji," which is the ultimate source of all things. From Taiji, the duality of Yin and Yang emerges. It is attributed to Fuxi, who is said to have had the bodies of two snakes, leading to the conclusion of a common symbol.
- In the mythology of the Bai people in China, there is the concept of the great ocean. A gigantic primordial golden dragon, which had been sleeping at the bottom of the ocean, awakened due to disturbances, giving birth to the first ancestors from its belly.
- In the myth of the creation of heaven and earth in Jeju Island, South Korea, the story involves the concept of chaos. In ancient times, there was only chaos with no heaven or earth. Then, a gap appeared within the chaos, and the ruler of heaven and earth, Bonpuli, was born.
- In the Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), there is a description of chaos resembling a chicken's egg. At that time, a single deity named Kuninotokotachi-no-kami was born within the heavens and the earth.
- In the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) of Japan, there is the concept of Takamagahara. "When the heavens and the earth first appeared, the deity named Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-kami was present, followed by the deity named Takamimusubi-no-kami, and then Kamimusubi-no-kami." Takamagahara existed from the time when the heavens and the earth appeared, and it is associated with the concept of "emptiness" or "nothingness."
- In the mythology of the Ainu people in southern Hokkaido, Japan, there is a time when there was nothing. In ancient times, when there was neither country nor land in this world, something like floating oil appeared in the Blue Sea Plain. This became the sky, and what remained became the muddy island (present-day Hokkaido). Among them, the hazy energy gathered and gave birth to the god Kamuy.
- Among the Yakut people living along the Lena River in Siberia, there is the concept of the primordial sea. Initially, the white creator, Irin Ai Toyon, was moving on the surface of the primordial sea when he noticed a floating bag. The bag revealed that it was an evil spirit and an inhabitant of the underground hidden in the water. Irin Ai Toyon said, "If there really is land beneath the sea, quickly bring me a piece of it." The evil spirit jumped out of the bag into the sea and returned with a handful of soil. The white creator blessed it and placed it on the surface of the sea, sitting upon it. The evil spirit tried to stretch the land to drown Irin Ai Toyon but found that the more it stretched, the stronger and more solid it became, eventually leading to the existence of a complete continent.
- In the mythology of the Hopi tribe, a Native American tribe in North America, "emptiness" is represented by the creator deities Taiowa and Tokpela, which symbolize the infinite universe. From Tokpela, Sotuknang is born, who creates the cosmos.
- In the mythology of the Tewa tribe, another Native American tribe in North America, the concept of the beginning involves water and darkness. At the start, there was only water and darkness. The darkness pressed together and eventually, from one of the places where the darkness had become dense, a man emerged. The man sang, "The world is there. I am making the world like this. Look, the world is here. The world is complete."
- In the creation myth of the Diegueño tribe in Southern California, United States, the concept of the primordial sea of salt is present. From the primordial sea of salt, two brothers appear and create the earth first, followed by the moon and sun, and finally, they create man and woman.
- In the folklore of the Haida people in Canada, there is the concept of the primordial sea. From the primordial sea, a raven takes flight and brings forth Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands).
- In the Mayan myth of Popol Vuh, there is a quiet sea and an endless expanse of sky. Only the creators (Tepeu and Gucumatz), the formators (Bitol and Kukulkan), Alom, and K'awil were shining within the water. When Tepeu and Gucumatz shouted, the earth and mountains were created from the water, followed by the creation of animals and other beings.
- In the mythology of the Chibcha people in Colombia, South America, darkness is significant. At the beginning, the world was within darkness, and light was trapped within the creator deity called Timonigagwa. The creation of the world began when the light trapped within the creator deity shone outward.
- In another Chibcha mythology, before the creation of light, the world was still enveloped in darkness, and there were only two beings, Ilaka and his nephew Ramikiri. Tired of being the only people in the world, the chiefs sculpted small figures from yellow clay, which then became men. When they cut the stems of the "keck" plant, those became women.
- In the mythology of the indigenous people along the coastal region of Peru, there was a boneless man named Kon who arrived from the north at the beginning of the world. With his simple will and the power of his words, he lowered mountains, raised valleys, and made his own path easy. He populated the land with the men and women he created and provided them with abundant fruits, bread, and other necessities of life.
In other expressions, "emptiness" can also be translated as absolute nothingness, creator, soul, spiritual soul, spiritual body, eternity, silence, stillness, consciousness, true self, love, the totality of existence, the Great Being, the Great Mystery, the Great Intelligence, or the Great Spirit.
In Tibetan Buddhism's Tibetan Book of the Dead, emptiness is considered consciousness. "The essence of emptiness is luminosity, and the essence of luminosity is emptiness. Consciousness, which is inseparable from being luminous and empty, is naked and raw, as it is, in its natural and uncontrived state. This is none other than the self-nature body (svabhava kaya) that constitutes the essence. Moreover, the function of this self-nature body itself can manifest in everything without being obstructed. That is the embodiment (nirmana kaya) with compassion as its essence."
"Your body is nothing but the manifestation of latent consciousness. It is nothing but a body made from the empty consciousness."
In other words, the emptiness refers to consciousness.
The Great Spirit is the Native American concept of the creator, representing the Great Mystery. In Japanese, "spirit" can be understood as "soul" (tamashii). The soul can also be referred to as spiritual soul (reikon), spiritual body (reitai), and in Greek mythology, it is called psyche, which is also the name of a goddess. In India, words such as atma, manas, prana, and purusha are used to refer to the soul.
In this way, various mythologies share the common theme that from emptiness, a divine being is born, and then the creation of heaven and earth, the formation of yin and yang, the birth of the universe, the creation of the sun, moon, earth, land, valleys, rivers, plants, animals, and humans occur. This reflects the idea of the Big Bang, where the universe is created from consciousness, which is emptiness. Before the birth of the universe through the Big Bang, only consciousness existed.
The Taijitu diagram in Chinese philosophy represents the concept of yin and yang arising within the Taiji (supreme ultimate). The Taiji represents the primordial chaos, which is emptiness, and the diagram illustrates the separation of yin and yang, symbolizing the creation of heaven and earth through the Big Bang.
Furthermore, it can be observed that "emptiness" is symbolized as an egg, known as the Cosmic Egg, which has been found as stone spheres in various parts of the world.
In Egyptian mythology, the deities Ra and Atum were born from the primordial ocean called Nun. They are associated with symbols such as the sun, the uraeus serpent, the ankh cross, and the staff of the god Wadjet. These symbols are also shared among different cultures. The counterparts of Ra and Atum in Japanese mythology are the deity Kuninotokotachi-no-Mikoto and in Hopi mythology is Sotuknang.
From left to right: Ra, Atum.
In the sacred scripture Bhagavad Gita, the divine figure symbolizing emptiness, Lord Bhagavat, states, "Among the Rudras, I am Shiva." The Hindu deity Shiva, who is the main god in Hinduism, is depicted with shared symbols such as a serpent coiled around his neck, a crescent moon adornment, and a trident with three prongs. Thus, Shiva and the shared symbols also represent emptiness. The figures mentioned in the scripture, Purusha, Brahman, Atman, Krishna, and the Supreme God, also represent emptiness as consciousness.
Similarly, in the Bhagavad Gita, it is stated, "I am the Vajra (thunderbolt) among weapons." The Vajra is also seen in the chest of Aeon. Thus, even shared symbols represent emptiness.
In the hand of Sabazios, where we observe the symbol of a single serpent and a crescent moon, there are also two serpents. This can be seen in the Naga Rajah, the serpent deity of India, as well as in the ancient Chinese deities Fuxi and Nüwa, who are depicted with bodies of two serpents. Therefore, it can be concluded that the symbol of emptiness is represented by two serpents. In the mythology of the Bai people in China, dragons also appear, further supporting the notion of shared symbols, as dragons are seen as a common symbol in Europe.
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References:
"Why Did the Gods Create Humans? - Creation Myths from 1,500 Deities"
"World Religions Series: African Religions by A.M. Rugila, translated by Yoshihito Shimada."
Common symbols in the design of the universe include the golden ratio, spiral patterns, torus shapes, and duality
The golden ratio and spiral patterns, which are shared symbols, can be observed in various natural phenomena. The curve of the golden ratio (red line) often passes through the center of objects, whereas in the case of a perfect circle (blue line), it does not.
Pinecone and Nautilus Shell
Egg and Cabbage Cross Section
Sunflower and Aloe Polyphylla
The golden ratio can also be observed in the spiral pattern of a typhoon. Such an example is seen in Typhoon Soulik in 2013.
Typhoon Jebi in 2018.
The cyclone near Iceland in 2003 also displayed the golden ratio.
The Golden Ratio in the Whirlpool Galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. It has a diameter of approximately 100,000 light-years and is located about 37 million light-years away from Earth.
The Milky Way galaxy, which includes our solar system on Earth, appears as a band of stars known as the Milky Way. It contains around 100 billion stars.
M101, also known as the Pinwheel Galaxy, located in the constellation Ursa Major.
UGC 12158, the barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Pegasus.
UGC 6093, the barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Leo.
From small plant-like structures to massive galaxies, the presence of the golden ratio suggests the possibility that even the unexplored reaches of the universe might be designed with the golden ratio and spiral patterns. The spiral form of the golden ratio extends endlessly, regardless of expansion or contraction, representing the eternal and limitless nature, similar to "emptiness" or "no-mind." The combination of the golden ratio and spiral patterns shapes the universe and represents universal truths. Moreover, this vast universe is not a product of chance but is orderly and deliberately created.
As seen in creation myths, before the birth of the universe, gods emerged from emptiness, and the universe was brought into existence through the Big Bang. In the actual universe, we find the presence of the golden ratio in galaxies, plants, and even ancient artifacts. This suggests that the entirety of the universe, in all its aspects, was designed and orchestrated by the conscious "emptiness."
Furthermore, there is the possibility that the form of the universe itself exhibits the golden ratio. One conceivable shape is the torus (circular surface). When viewed from above, the flow within the torus manifests the spiral pattern of the golden ratio.
The reason is as follows: First, when viewed from directly above, the vortex of a typhoon exhibited the golden ratio.
When viewed from the side, the airflow of the typhoon spirals from the bottom, ascending through the central region, and at the top, it expands outward in a donut-shaped pattern.
The same pattern is observed in the magnetic fields generated by phenomena such as the Earth, Jupiter, and the Sun. These magnetic fields also take on a donut-shaped form.
Just as a magnet always has a pair of North and South poles, the Earth, being a massive magnet, also possesses two magnetic poles. The flow of this magnetic field can be observed in magnets and iron filings as well.
The author of the ancient Chinese text "Yijing" is attributed to Fuxi, who is depicted as two entwined snakes. It is mentioned that from the ultimate source of all things, the Taiji, the duality of Yin and Yang emerged. Yin and Yang represent positive and negative, or plus and minus, similar to the concept of poles in magnets. Therefore, the donut-shaped form arises from the presence of two poles, and the universe was born in a donut-shaped form during the moment of the Big Bang.
Furthermore, everything in this universe, including water, oxygen, iron, calcium, humans, and the Earth, is composed of indivisible particles called atoms. Atoms consist of a positively charged atomic nucleus and negatively charged electrons. The space of the universe is not a complete vacuum but contains a sparse substance known as interstellar matter, such as interstellar gas composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. These substances are also made up of atoms. In other words, the universe overflowing with these atoms is also composed of positive and negative charges.
The figure on the left represents an atom, with the red and green circles in the center representing the atomic nucleus (positive charges), and the yellow circles surrounding them representing electrons (negative charges). The figure on the right is a model of a helium atom, with the electrons depicted as a black cloud-like structure.
In this way, all substances in the universe are composed of atoms with positive and negative charges, and they are designed with a common pattern of donut shapes and golden ratio spirals. From these reasons, it can be concluded that the universe itself is either in the form of a donut or related shapes.
Now, if we were to travel in the same direction in the universe, would we eventually collide with the wall of a donut-shaped universe? The answer is no. The golden ratio depicts an endless spiral pattern, just like "emptiness" or "no-mind." The flow of typhoons and the Earth's magnetic field circulate in a donut-shaped manner without a beginning or an end. Similarly, the universe has no edges, and space is curved. Even if we travel in a straight line, we gradually come full circle along the curvature of space.
The North and South poles continuously circulate. In Buddhist terminology, "shogyo mujou" refers to the impermanence of all existences in this world, where their forms and essences are constantly changing and no existence can maintain identical characteristics even for a moment. The saying "jousha hissui" reminds us that everything in this world is impermanent, and even those who are thriving and prosperous will eventually decline and perish. The reason why everything continues to flow without stopping is because this universe is composed of North and South poles, Yin and Yang, positive and negative charges, continuously revolving between the two poles. This is the truth of the universe.
And because everything in the universe alternates between the North and South poles, galaxies and solar systems themselves are also moving through the universe in the flow of a donut shape.
Moreover, this donut shape can also be observed in the cross-sections of fruits and vegetables, evolving in alignment with the universal design.
And the existence of male and female in humans and other organisms, as well as the division into two sides such as the right hand and left hand, are also represented by polarity. The swirling pattern of the crown hair is also a reflection of the universal design.
■Around 12.4 billion BCE
Whirlpool Galaxy BRI 1335-0417
A galaxy with a spiral structure, formed approximately 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang, has been discovered. This galaxy, known as BRI 1335-0417, was found through observations made with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope in the Atacama Desert in Chile. It is about one-third the size of our Milky Way galaxy, where Earth resides. Spiral structures can be seen above and below the bright central region.
Image Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), T. Tsukui & S. Iguchi
Source: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan/ALMA Telescope
■Around 4.6 billion years ago
Formation of the Solar System, Sun, and Earth
It is estimated that there are around 200 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy, and among them, small celestial bodies like the Solar System have come together to form this galactic universe. The birth of the Solar System and the Sun is believed to have occurred approximately 4.6 billion years ago, while the birth of Earth is estimated to have taken place around 4.5 billion years ago. The concept of galaxies and stars, where the spiral patterns and toroidal shapes of the golden ratio are observed, also leads us to the conclusion of emptiness.
The Birth of Stars and Life
The space between stars is not a perfect vacuum; it contains interstellar clouds composed of particles and gas. The densest regions within these interstellar clouds are called molecular clouds. These regions are highly active in the formation of stars. When a star, such as the Sun, reaches the end of its life, a massive explosion event called a supernova occurs, and the resulting shockwaves collide with the molecular clouds. This interaction creates dense regions where new stars are born.
Stars are born from the gas clouds within molecular clouds. Complex organic molecules, such as amino acids, which are the building blocks of life, have been discovered through radio observations of these molecular clouds. Meteorites containing these organic materials have fallen to Earth, providing the initial ingredients for life. Life then evolved in the oceans, leading to the emergence of primitive cells, which served as the starting point for all life forms around 4.1 billion years ago. Further evolution led to the development of single-celled organisms.
■Around 3.7 billion BCE
Traces of Life Activity in Greenland
A few hundred million years after Earth's formation, signs of life began to appear. Life originated in the oceans. The image on the left shows rocks from Greenland, including stromatolites. Within these rocks, structures believed to be evidence of life activity from 3.7 billion years ago can be observed (triangular structure in the center).
Stromatolites are formed when microorganisms, such as bacteria, accumulate sediment in layered structures. Over time, these layers solidify and become rock. While the rock itself is not alive, it indicates the presence of very simple single-celled organisms that contributed to its formation. Allen Nutman, the lead researcher from the University of Wollongong in Australia, suggests that these fossils demonstrate that life emerged relatively soon after the formation of Earth, around 4.5 billion years ago.
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References:
Discovery of Traces of the Oldest Life Activity, 3.7 Billion Years Ago in Greenland
Oldest Fossil on Earth Found in Greenland: Microbes 3.7 Billion Years Old
Common Ancestry
Molecular phylogenetics is a field that utilizes the analysis of genetic information, such as the DNA sequences of organisms, to understand the evolutionary relationships between them. It began in the early 1960s with the emergence of molecular evolution. Through repeated mutations from a common ancestor, all organisms, including humans and plants, have evolved along different paths.
Plant evolution follows a similar pattern to other organisms, with single-celled organisms in the sea evolving into algae, leading to multicellularity and the emergence of land plants.
The origin of animals is believed to be closely related to the choanoflagellates, a group of single-celled organisms.
The closest relatives to land plants are considered to be the unicellular conjugating algae. Approximately 60% of banana genes are shared with humans.
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References:
- "Molecular Insights into Biological Evolution: Revealing the History of Life through DNA" by Takashi Miyata
- "Tracing the Evolution of Plants: A Journey through Their Path of Development"
■Around 2.9 Billion Years Ago
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria convert sunlight into food and oxygen through photosynthesis. Fossil evidence tells us that for the first 2 billion years after the formation of Earth, single-celled bacteria dominated the planet. Stromatolites, which are formed by colonies of cyanobacteria and deposits of calcium, can be found scattered worldwide.
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References
- "Evolution of Life from a Molecular Perspective: Revealing the History of Organisms through DNA" by Takashi Miyata
■Around 1 Billion BCE
The lineages of fungi and animals diverged. Within the animal lineage, the first split occurred between sponges (Porifera) and other true multicellular animals (Eumetazoa). Sponges are found in various oceans around the world, with tropical seas being their main habitat.
A lancelet is a member of the group of animals known as Cephalochordata.
Next, within the Eumetazoa lineage, the two major groups of animals diverge: the Diploblasts, which include jellyfish, sea anemones, and hydras, and the major group of animals called the Triploblasts.
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References
Evolution of Organisms from Molecular Perspectives: Unveiling the History of Life through DNA by Takashi Miyata
■ Around 680 million BCE
The triploblastic animals divide into two groups: the protostomes and the deuterostomes. Protostomes include organisms such as sea urchins, lancelets, and tunicates, which eventually evolve into vertebrates. Deuterostomes include organisms such as octopuses, scallops, insects, and shrimp.
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References
Evolution of Organisms from Molecular Perspectives: Unveiling the History of Life through DNA by Takashi Miyata
■ Around 542 million BCE
Cambrian Explosion
During this period, multicellular animals underwent an explosive emergence. Animals that existed before this time were smaller and left fewer fossils, making them challenging to discover. The Cambrian Explosion marked a rapid increase in size and the preservation of fossils.
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References
Evolution of Organisms from Molecular Perspectives: Unveiling the History of Life through DNA by Takashi Miyata
■Around 500 million BCE
In the lineage of vertebrates, the agnathans, such as hagfish and lampreys, diverged from the jawed vertebrates, known as gnathostomes. The gnathostomes include fish and tetrapods.
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References
Evolution of Organisms from Molecular Perspectives: Unveiling the History of Life through DNA by Takashi Miyata
■Approximately 400 million BCE
Life in the sea began to transition to land. In the lineage of jawed vertebrates, fish evolved into tetrapods. This includes amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds, with the forelimbs of birds transforming into wings. The genetic similarity between chickens and humans is about 60%.
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References
Evolution of Organisms from Molecular Perspectives: Unveiling the History of Life through DNA by Takashi Miyata
■Around 280 million years ago
Ancestors of mammals appeared on Earth. Lactation, providing milk to their young, is one of the distinctive features of mammals, which is reflected in their name. Cattle and humans share about 80% of their genes, while mice and humans share 85%, and cats and humans share 90% genetic similarity.
■Around 260 million BCE
Pangaea Supercontinent
At this time, there was only one continent on Earth.
■Around 230 million BCE
The flourishing of dinosaurs
A group of tetrapods that evolved from fish on land diversified into dinosaurs.
■Around 70 million BCE
The emergence of primates
Ancestors of primates, including prosimians, Old World monkeys, hominoids, and humans, appeared. There are approximately 220 living species.
The classification of extant primates.
■Around 66 million BCE
The extinction of dinosaurs
The most widely accepted cause of dinosaur extinction is attributed to a colossal meteorite impact.
■ Approximately 6 million BCE
Divergence of humans and chimpanzees
Chimpanzees share 96% of their genetic similarity with humans. The family Hominidae includes the genus Homo (modern humans), Pan (chimpanzees), Gorilla, and Pongo (orangutans).
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References
Evolution of Organisms from Molecular Perspectives: Unveiling the History of Life through DNA by Takashi Miyata
■Around 2.8 million years ago
Fossil evidence of the genus Homo in Ethiopia
Fragments of a mandible dating back 2.8 million years were unearthed in the Afar Region of Ethiopia, specifically in the Laetoli-Gare area.
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Reference:
Nature Digest
■Around 1.76 million BCE
Homo erectus and their stone tools
Homo erectus, a member of the genus Homo, used stone tools such as hand axes measuring around 20 centimeters and pick-like implements, primarily found near Lake Turkana in northern Kenya.
■Around 1 million BCE
Denisovans
A lineage of the genus Homo, known as the Denisovans, diverged.
■Approximately 800,000 BCE
Footprints of Homo erectus in Eritrea, Africa.
The footprints of Homo erectus from 800,000 years ago in Eritrea.
■Around 500,000 BCE
The Homo genus diverged, giving rise to Neanderthals and modern humans.
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References
Evolution of Organisms from Molecular Perspectives: Unveiling the History of Life through DNA by Takashi Miyata
■Around 300,000 BCE
Fossil with a modern human-like face in Morocco
At the Jebel Irhoud site in Morocco, fossils of early Homo sapiens dating back approximately 300,000 years were discovered, along with evidence of fire use and stone tools.
These early humans had striking similarities to modern humans and were described as having faces that wouldn't feel out of place in a subway.
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Reference:
Breaking News! 300,000-Year-Old Remains Place Oldest Homo Sapiens in Morocco
The 300,000-year-old fossil is early Homo sapiens
Israel's archaic humans
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of repeated use of fire by archaic humans around 300,000 years ago in the Qesem cave in Israel. The cave yielded a large quantity of burnt bones, heated soil clumps, and deposits of ash.
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Reference:
Ancient teeth reveal evidence of 400,000-year-old manmade pollution in Israel
■Approximately 250,000 years ago
Neanderthals in Italy
Skulls found in Lazio, Italy in 1930 revealed the existence of Neanderthals in Italy around 250,000 years ago.
The red circle represents the location where Neanderthals existed in Italy.
■Around 174,500 BCE
A 40cm cylindrical stalagmite found in an artificially created Neanderthal cave in Brinay, France, which was 336m deep from the entrance.
A cylindrical stalagmite found in a cave and Neanderthal.
■Approximately 70,000 years ago
African cultures
Commonalities such as the presence of two snakes, rainbow snakes, and creation myths suggest that Vodou in West Africa, the Fulani people in Nigeria, and the Dogon people in Mali, as well as the Kuba people in Central Africa, also worship emptiness. However, there are many other tribes in Africa, each with their own creation myths and names of creation gods, with similarities and commonalities that can be found.
●Benin in West Africa:
The serpent deity Damballa Wedo is depicted as the husband, with his wife being the rainbow serpent goddess Aida Wedo. These two serpents are portrayed as symbols in Vodou.
●Fulani tribe, distributed in Nigeria and others:
In their mythology, "emptiness" refers to a giant drop of milk. In the beginning, there was nothing but a gigantic drop of milk. Then, the creator god Dundeeri arrived and created stones.
●Dogon people in Mali:
Creation myth. In the beginning of the world, there was no universe, only the creator god Amma existed. Amma created the universe from words and made the sun and moon. Amma also created the first life, Kize Uzi, who gave birth to the "World Egg" in the primordial womb.
Additionally, snake worship is found in their mythology, and common symbols can be observed.
When the Dogon people opened the tomb of the god Lebe, they found a snake. As the snake accompanied them on their journey, they became convinced that it was Lebe.
●Kuba people in Central Africa:
Creation myth. In the beginning of the world, there was only water. The giant creator god Bumba vomited and produced the sun, moon, and stars. Light was born from these, generating heat in the world and drying up the water.
●Maasai tribe from southern Kenya to northern Tanzania:
The Maasai tribe originated in Africa 270,000 years ago.
According to their tradition, the sky god Enkai is the creator of all things and lived in the sky and on the earth. The volcano Oldoinyo (mountain) Lengai (god) is regarded as a sacred mountain by the Maasai.
●Kikuyu tribe in Kenya:
A monotheistic religion that worships the god Ngai, seated on top of Mount Kenya. Ngai is also referred to as Enkai by the Maasai.
Mount Kenya, where it is believed that the deity Ngai sits at the summit.
●Yoruba people of Nigeria:
According to their mythology, during the creation of the world, the beginning of the world was just the sea (the deity Okun). The creator deity sent a bird named "Frara" with a herb called "Ewe Ifa." The bird placed the herb on top of the sea deity Okun, and the herb turned into land. Then, when they placed a five-toed chicken on the land, the chicken scratched the ground, expanding the land and forming the Ife Island, which eventually became the current Earth.
In another legend, at the beginning of the world, there was only the first sea, Olokun, and the supreme sky god, Olorun, ruled the heavens. Olorun descended from the heavens and had a union with the sea, giving birth to the brothers Obatala and Oduduwa. Oduduwa created the earth, while Obatala attempted to create humans using clay but fell asleep after drinking alcohol. The humans created by Obatala became the Igbo tribe, while those created by Oduduwa became the Yoruba tribe.
Olorun is regarded as an omnipotent and supreme deity. This sky god is described as "the one who perceives the hearts," "the one who sees the inside and outside of humans." No one has ever seen this "king who cannot be found by seeking."
Another legend involves Ogun. Ogun was originally a hunter who descended into the desolate marshland with spider threads before the formation of the earth.
●Akan and Ashanti people of Ghana and Ivory Coast:
The creator deity Nyame (Nyankopon) or Onyankopon is the all-knowing and all-powerful father of the sky. There are several names for the gods who created the universe, such as Odwirafo, Oboadee, and Anase Kokroko (the great designer or the great spider).
●Igbo tribe of the lower Niger River in Nigeria:
The ancestors of the Igbo kings descended from the sky, but the earth was covered by water. As a solution, the ancestors landed on an anthill. The creator god instructed a blacksmith to use bellows to dry up the water, resulting in the water receding for the first time.
●San people living in the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa:
The sun god Kaggen (Kaang) is the creator deity and also created the moon. Heitsi-Eibib is a cultural hero in San religion and is also a god of death and rebirth, repeatedly dying and coming back to life. Tsui-Goab is the sky god and god of lightning. During severe storms, Kaang is referred to as "the rain, storm, and breath god" and is considered an invisible spirit within natural phenomena. Kaang's daughter married a snake, and since then, the snake has been called "Kaang's people."
In addition to these, there are many African tribes with stories of creation gods or supreme deities.
●West Africa:
- The Akan people of Ghana refer to this deity as Breketeirfunuaade, "the all-knowing and all-seeing one."
- The Yoruba people of Nigeria assert that nothing can be hidden from the eyes of God because God can see "both the inside and outside of humans."
- The Igbo people of Nigeria have a supreme deity named Chukwu. Chukwu is the "first great cause" and also the "creator." Like their neighbors in West Africa, the Igbo seek to appease their ancestors and other spirits.
- The Nupe people have a cultural founding hero named Tsoede.
- In Liberia, the supreme creator deity is known as Snu-Ni-Soa.
- The Dahomey Kingdom in Benin had a creator deity called Maou-Lisa.
- The Bamum people of Cameroon have a creator deity called Ndzui. Ndzui is known as the "one who is everywhere" and is believed to have created humans as healthy and strong beings.
- The Akan people have a supreme deity named Nyame, described as "the all-knowing and all-seeing one" and "the builder of creation."
- The Dogon people have a supreme deity named Amma, who is believed to have created the cosmic egg.
●East Africa:
- According to the Ganda people of Uganda, the "great eye" of God is constantly watching, in every place and at all times. That eye never blinks.
- The Akamba people of Kenya refer to the father deity as Asa.
- The Abaluyia people of Kenya have a supreme deity called Were.
- The Maasai people worship the sky god Enkai, who is considered the creator of all things.
- The supreme deity of Madagascar, Zanahary, is believed to have created the Earth.
- The god of the Shilluk people in the upper Nile region is Juok. With multiple facets, the god Juok is believed to exist everywhere.
- The Alur people of Uganda and Zaire have a god named Jok. The Alur believe that the world is filled with the spirit of Du Jok, and they believe their ancestors exist in the form of snakes and large rocks.
●Southern Africa:
- Among the Zulu people, the wise one is called uKilili.
- Another Zulu creation deity is uNkulunkulu. The Zulu describe him as uJiverele, meaning "the one who exists by himself" and "the one who became existence and gave existence to humans."
- The Khoikhoi people have a deity named Utiḫo. Utiḫo is a merciful god residing in the sky, bringing rain for crops and speaking through thunder.
- The Tonga people of Zambia and Malawi have a god named Tiro, described as the creator, the everlasting one, the almighty one, and the immortal one. Tiro is also regarded as a fearsome presence within the swirls of nature.
- Among the Makoni people of Zimbabwe, the sky god is called Maori. Maori is the primordial human and the creator of the moon, Mwezi. Later, Maori created the maiden and the morning star, Masassi. Mwezi produced lions, leopards, snakes, and scorpions with another female created separately, Morongo, who preferred the snake over her husband.
- The Bakongo people of Angola have a god named Nzambi, who is all-knowing and all-powerful. "He is uncreated and there is none greater than him." He is described as just, merciful, the ruler and sustainer of the universe, and the source of goodness. Humans are expressed as "human beings are Nzambi's human beings."
●Central Africa:
- Among the Luba people of Zaire, the creator deity is called Kalumba.
- The Pygmy people believe in the supreme spirit of formless and eternal existence, called Kònvùm.
- The Lele people have a creation deity named Njambi, who is the source of all good things.
- The Rwandan people attribute the order of the universe to the creator and sustainer, called Imana. Imana is "the only one who knows everything." Imana is described as Hategi Imana, the "sole ruler," Hashaki Imana, the "planner," Bigiri Imana, the "owner of all things," and the distant source of all gifts.
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References:
- "Myths of the Sea" by Yusuke Sagita
- "Dictionary of World Mythology" by Arthur Cotter
Clay and the Creation of Humans
In Yoruba mythology of Nigeria, there is a belief that humans were created by Obatala using clay, giving rise to the Igbo tribe. Another Yoruba tradition states that humans were formed from the earth by the deity Orisanla, but it was only the supreme god, Olorun, who could give them life. The creation of humans from clay can be found in various other places as well.
In the Dahomey Kingdom of Benin, it is believed that the creator god, Mawu-Lisa, formed humans from water and mud.
In Madagascar, the god Ravananatany, the "self-created one," was said to have molded clay figures of humans and animals, but was unable to give them life. In another version from Madagascar, the earth deity Zanahary formed various creatures, including men and women, from clay.
In Egyptian mythology, the god Khnum is credited with creating humans by molding them from clay. Khnum is associated with symbols such as the sun, the serpent emblem known as the Uraeus, the face and horns of a ram, the ankh symbol, and the Was-scepter.
In the Akkadian epic "Atrahasis," it is mentioned that the blood of a slain god was mixed with clay when creating humans.
In Judaism, the first human, Adam, was created by Elohim using his breath and clay. In the Christian New Testament, it is stated that "the first man was of the dust of the earth," and in Islam, it is believed that Allah created Adam from clay.
In Mongolian creation mythology, the god known as Udan, who created the Earth from the heavens, fashioned the first man and woman from clay.
In Siberian mythology, the supreme god Buga created two humans using iron, fire, water, and earth. From the earth, he formed their flesh and bones, from iron their hearts, from water their blood, and from fire their body temperature.
In Mayan mythology, the sacred book "Popol Vuh" mentions that the creators formed humans from mud, but they quickly crumbled.
In the mythology of the Chibcha people of Colombia, South America, during the time of darkness before the creation of light, only two beings, Iraka and his nephew Ramikiri, existed. Fed up with this situation, the two chiefs created little statues from yellow clay, which turned into men.
The Urarina people of South America believe that when Lake Titicaca was first warmed by the sun, humans emerged from the soft mud.
The Lengua tribe of Paraguay, South America, believes that the world was created through the actions of a giant beetle. This beetle also created various spirits and formed the first man and woman from grains of clay that it threw into the air (the two originally being joined together).
Creation Myths in African Mythology and the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, which is the sacred scripture of Judaism and Christianity, the book of Genesis recounts the creation of the heavens and the earth by God in seven days. This narrative includes the creation of the first man and woman from substances like clay and dust. Similar stories of creating the first human beings and the formation of the world in several days can also be found in African mythology.
Day 1: God created the heavens and the earth. In the midst of darkness, God created light, separating the day from the night.
Day 2: God created the firmament, the expanse of the sky.
Day 3: God formed the land, brought forth the seas, and caused plants to grow on the earth.
Day 4: God created the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Day 5: God created fish and birds.
Day 6: God created animals and livestock, and finally, created humans in the likeness of God.
Day 7: God rested.
Afterward, God formed the first man (Adam) from the dust of the ground and later created the first woman (Eve).
In the ancient Dahomey Kingdom in present-day Benin, the moon deity Maou and her twin brother, the sun deity Liza, were regarded as hermaphroditic creator gods known as Maou-Lisa. The worship of these deities had little influence from Islam or Christianity.
Maou-Lisa established cosmic order before creating plants, animals, and humans. This creation ritual was observed over a period of four days.
On the first day of the ritual, Maou-Lisa established cosmic order and created humans from water and clay.
In the second day, the earth was made into a habitable place for humans.
On the third day, humans received the ability of sight, speech, and understanding of the world around them.
On the final day of creation, Maou Lisa bestowed technology upon humans.
Now, let's move on to the creation myth of the Yoruba people in Nigeria.
In the beginning, the world was a damp and chaotic swamp-like place, neither sea nor land. Above this chaos, the supreme god, Olodumare, resided and commanded the great god, Orisanla, to create the world. When the time came to form solid land, Orisanla was given a magical snail shell filled with enchanted soil and a dove and a five-toed hen. Orisanla descended into the chaos and began to organize it. He threw the magical soil onto a small patch of ground, and the dove and hen scratched at the soil until the land and sea were completely separated. Orisanla took four days to create the land, and on the fifth day, he rested.
Next, let's explore the creation myth of the Abaluyia people in Kenya.
The supreme god, Were, created the heavens and supported everything around it with pillars, similar to how the roof of a round hut is supported. Were then created two assistants, and together, they placed the moon and the sun in the sky. However, these radiant siblings fought against each other. First, the moon knocked the sun out of the sky, and then the sun threw its brother into the mud, saying, "He threw him into the mud so that the moon would not shine brilliantly anymore." Were had to separate the warring brothers, and the sun was assigned to shine during the day, while the pale moon belonged to the night.
The subsequent creations included clouds, lightning heads, stars, rain that the gods could stop, rainbows, air, and the "cold air" that caused hail to fall. This work took two days to complete.
Continuing with the creation myth, the earth was created and the first man named Mwamp and the first woman named Sera were also created. Then Were filled the earth with animals, and the creation of the universe was completed in "six days".
In this Kenyan myth, initially, the sun and the moon coexisted, and a similar story of later dimming the brightness of the moon with mud can also be found in the Aztec mythology of Mexico.
The divine beings, Nanawatzin and Texcistecatl, were once burned to death. Eventually, Nanawatzin was reborn as the sun god Tonatiuh from the eastern direction. Immediately after, Texcistecatl also ascended in the eastern sky and began to shine like Tonatiuh. The gods thought that their radiance was too similar, and they feared that the world would become too bright. So, a god came forward and threw a rabbit at Texcistecatl's face. As a result, the injured moon's brightness diminished compared to the sun, and the shape of a rabbit became visible during the full moon.
Thus, the seven-day creation story in the Old Testament of the Bible also shows similarities to African mythology, and it can be considered as another common symbol. It originated from the same source and developed into unique stories in various regions.
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References:
- "World Mythology Dictionary" by Arthur Cotter
- "World Religions: African Religions" by A.M. Rugira, translated by Yoshihito Shimada
旧約聖書のアダムとイブに類似の神話
In the Old Testament of the Bible, there is the story of Adam and Eve, which also has similar tales found in Africa and other regions. The following is from the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament:
A river flowed out of the Garden of Eden, nourishing the garden. God placed a man (Adam) in the garden and said, "You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you will surely die."
Later, God created a woman (Eve) as a companion for the man. The woman was convinced by a serpent, who said, "You will not surely die if you eat the fruit of the forbidden tree." Believing this, the woman ate the fruit with her husband (Adam). As a result, they realized they were naked and covered themselves with fig leaves. God expelled the two individuals who broke the promise from the Garden of Eden. Afterward, they had children named Cain and Abel, and their descendants multiplied.
In Polynesian mythology, specifically in Hawaiian mythology, a myth similar to the story of Adam and Eve in the Old Testament can be observed.
In the first garden created by the god Kane, there were fruits and animals. All the fruits and animals, except for those from the sacred tree, were available for use by Kumuhonua (the first man) and his wife. The fruit and bark of the sacred tree were forbidden, but they broke the law and were subsequently expelled. They were driven away by a large white bird.
In Hawaii, during the late 18th century, American and British missionaries began spreading Christianity. The indigenous religion of Hawaii was prohibited in the 1800s. The creation myths prior to that had common patterns similar to those found in other regions. Additionally, similar stories can be found among the Ashanti people of West Africa.
Long ago, a man and a woman descended from the sky, much like the snake that created its dwelling in the Bosomuru River. This couple had no children. One day, the snake asked them if they had any children, and when they replied that they did not, the snake offered to make the woman pregnant. The snake blew water onto their bellies, uttered some words, and then instructed them to return home and lie down together. In this way, their first child was born, and they regarded the Bosomuru as their deity (ntro). All men passed down this deity to their children.
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References:
World Mythology Dictionary / Arthur Cotter
Out of Africa
The variation in skin color is influenced by factors such as genetic mutations and the amount of ultraviolet radiation in the region where people live. Humans in Africa began migrating around 120,000 years ago, reaching China by around 100,000 years ago. The significant migration started around 70,000 years ago with the "Out of Africa" event, where humans dispersed in three directions: resulting in the development of the Mongoloid, Caucasoid, and Australoid races, while those who did not leave Africa became the Negroid race.
These findings have been revealed through research on Y-chromosomal haplogroups. The Y-chromosome is passed down from fathers to sons, allowing us to trace paternal ancestry through Y-chromosome analysis. These paternal lineages are grouped into haplogroups. Starting from the letter "A," the Y-chromosomal haplogroup A emerged around 270,000 years ago in Africa and is common among the Maasai people. As the alphabet progresses closer to the present, haplogroup Q is believed to have originated around 17,000 to 22,000 years ago in the vicinity of Iran.
The diagram below illustrates the migration from Africa to Iran and the subsequent dispersal to various regions:
- Asia and the Americas route: Mongoloid race (yellow lines)
- Middle East and Europe route: Caucasoid race (pink lines)
- Australia route: Australoid race (blue lines)
- No migration: Negroid race (brown line staying in Africa)
Modern humans, Homo sapiens, evolved from Homo erectus, and they were all born in Africa around 200,000 to 100,000 years ago. Around 70,000 years ago, they left Africa and spread throughout the world. The Denisovans and Neanderthals, who also evolved from Homo erectus, had become extinct around 20,000 years ago. Until that time, interbreeding between Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Homo sapiens (modern humans) had occurred, and those genes are present in modern humans today.
Primitive Beliefs of that Time
It is speculated that Homo sapiens (modern humans) already possessed primitive beliefs around 70,000 years ago during the "Out of Africa" migration. These beliefs included the following:
- Two snakes, such as the rainbow serpent (found in Benin and other regions).
- Creation myths of the universe (e.g., among the Maasai people).
- Cosmic eggs (e.g., among the Dogon people).
- Flood myths (e.g., among the Mbuti people).
- Stories of creating humans from clay (e.g., among the Mbuti people).
- Creation myths of heaven and earth (e.g., among the Abaluya people in Kenya).
- And others.
As these beliefs spread throughout the world, they developed independently in different regions, eventually giving rise to religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the symbols and concepts summarized earlier in this document are common across different regions, even though the specific locations may differ.
The Golden Ratio in the Human Body
The golden ratio can also be observed in the human body. In the hand, from the fingertips to the wrist, there are the distal phalanx, middle phalanx, proximal phalanx, metacarpal bone, and carpal bones. The bones gradually increase in length from the distal phalanx to the wrist, approximately following the proportions of the golden ratio. For example, if we consider the length of the distal phalanx as 1, the adjacent middle phalanx would be 1.618 times longer, following the ratio of the golden ratio. Similarly, if we consider the length of the middle phalanx as 1, the next proximal phalanx would be longer in a ratio of 1.618.
In the left image, the red represents the distal phalanx, the aqua represents the middle phalanx, the green represents the proximal phalanx, the yellow represents the metacarpal bone, and the purple represents the carpal bones. The right image illustrates the golden ratio with a ratio of 1:1.618.
An example of the author's measured finger lengths. The lengths of the bones between the joints that protrude when the fingers are bent were measured on the dorsal side of the hand. Since there are variations due to occupation and individual differences, it is not an exact fit, but the lengths of adjacent bones from the fingertips are roughly following the proportions of the golden ratio. However, this ratio may not be observed when measuring from the palm side of the hand.
Ring finger:
Distal phalanx: 2.4cm (1.618 times this length is 3.88cm)
Middle phalanx: 3.5cm (1.618 times this length is 5.66cm)
Proximal phalanx: 5.3cm (1.618 times this length is 8.57cm)
Metacarpal bone: 10cm
Middle finger:
Distal phalanx: 2.5cm (1.618 times this length is 3.88cm)
Middle phalanx: 3.8cm (1.618 times this length is 6.14cm)
Proximal phalanx: 5.4cm (1.618 times this length is 8.73cm)
Metacarpal bone: 10.5cm
Index finger:
Distal phalanx: 2.1cm (1.618 times this length is 3.39cm)
Middle phalanx: 3.1cm (1.618 times this length is 5.01cm)
Proximal phalanx: 5cm (1.618 times this length is 8.09cm)
Metacarpal bone: 10.5cm
Furthermore, the pinky finger and thumb are shorter compared to the other three fingers, but the measured lengths are as follows. These two fingers have numbers that are relatively close to the proportions of the golden ratio.
Pinky finger:
Distal phalanx: 2cm (1.618 times this length is 3.2cm)
Middle phalanx: 2.5cm (1.618 times this length is 4.04cm)
Proximal phalanx: 4cm (1.618 times this length is 6.47cm)
Metacarpal bone: 9cm
Thumb:
Distal phalanx: 3.2cm (1.618 times this length is 5.17cm)
Proximal phalanx: 4.3cm (1.618 times this length is 6.95cm)
Metacarpal bone: 9cm
The length from the tip of the pinky finger to the wrist is approximately 16cm, while the length from the tip of the thumb to the wrist is around 15cm. When multiplied by the golden ratio of 1.618, the lengths on the pinky finger side become 25.88cm and on the thumb side become 24.27cm. A similar measurement is obtained for the length from the wrist to the elbow, which is approximately 26.5cm. Additionally, when measuring from the elbow to the shoulder, it is approximately 34cm. This closely matches the length when multiplying approximately 20cm, the distance from the fingertips of the ring finger, middle finger, and index finger to the wrist, by 1.618, resulting in 32.36cm.
Thus, from the fingertips of the hand to the shoulder, the lengths between joints are related to the proportions of the golden ratio. In this way, the human body incorporates the universal design found in the cosmos.
■Around 50,000 BCE
Aboriginal People in Australia
During this period, the ancestors of the Aboriginal people arrived in Australia, passing through Southeast Asia.
The Yolngu people, a group within the Aboriginal community, have a ritual where they express their mythology through dance. Male dancers hold two special sticks symbolizing the rainbow serpent, leading to the conclusion that they worship the two snakes, representing emptiness, as deities.
In the vicinity of the famous Uluru(Ayers Rock) in Australia, there are Indigenous people known as the Anangu.
There is a story of a rainbow serpent associated with Uluru.
"There was a female carpet python named Kuniya living in Uluru. When Kuniya's eggs were about to hatch, she would return to a cave called Kuniya Piti on the western side of Uluru to await the birth of her new offspring. One day, Kuniya's nephew, Kukakuka, was mistakenly killed by a spear thrown by Liru, the ancestor of venomous snakes. It was actually a punishment for Kukakuka breaking the law, but unaware of this, Kuniya became enraged, and a fierce battle with Liru ensued. After a fierce struggle, Kuniya used a stick to strike and kill Liru, who was perched on a rock. However, Kuniya was poisoned by the venom released by Liru during the fight. Kuniya carried Kukakuka to the Mutitjulu Spring and then succumbed to the poison, transforming into a rainbow-colored snake known as Wanambi. It is believed that Wanambi resides in the Mutitjulu Spring, ensuring the water never runs dry."
Once again, the appearance of the rainbow serpent signifies the reverence for emptiness. In the vicinity of Uluru, there is another rock formation called Kata Tjuta, where Wanambi is believed to reside. There is a myth that Wanambi descends from the mountain only during the dry season.
Furthermore, the entire area around the Devils Marbles is part of Aboriginal land.
The photo on the right is of the boulders at Devils Marbles.
The local Aboriginal people refer to this region as Karlu Karlu. One of the Aboriginal tribes, the Kaytetye, believes that the peculiar rock formations in the Devils Marbles are the eggs of a rainbow serpent. In other words, they represent emptiness, the cosmic egg. In creation myths, the Japanese Kojiki describes the primal "emptiness" as a chaotic state similar to a chicken's egg. The Finnish mythology Kalevala continues this concept, stating that the sky and the earth were created from an egg. Therefore, the rounded boulders and intricately balanced rocks symbolize the primordial emptiness in the form of an egg. In addition to the perfectly balanced rocks, there are also spherical stones in the Devils Marbles.
Aboriginal Boomerangs and Didgeridoos
In the Carnarvon National Park located in eastern Australia, there are rock paintings depicting Aboriginal boomerangs. These paintings are believed to date back to around 17,500 years ago. Boomerangs are also found in Aboriginal mythology, indicating a common symbol among them.
The naming of the Aboriginal instrument called didgeridoo varies depending on the region. In the southwestern part of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, it is called "mago," while in the northeastern part, it is referred to as "idaki." In the northern part of Queensland, it is known as "igiigi." The idaki is considered not only an instrument but also a deity, with the belief that the instrument itself houses a divine presence. The concept of animism, which holds that gods inhabit trees and all things, is associated with this belief and is also found among indigenous peoples such as those in North and South America, as well as the Jomon people in Japan. It is closely linked to the worship of trees as well.
Aboriginals and Rainbow Serpent
The Aboriginals have an oval-shaped wooden container called "Coolamon," which is used to carry fruits and water. The image on the far right depicts the evolution of Coolamon designs over time, with the more recent designs placed at the bottom. The first Coolamon shows the presence of a single snake.
Among the Aboriginals, there are three serpent deities known as Ungud, Waugal, and Yurlunggur, collectively referred to as the Rainbow Serpent. Each deity has its own story and significance.
"Ungud"
According to the Aboriginal mythology, the primordial being Ungud or Wungud emerged from the gathering mud at the bottom of the sea in a world devoid of anything else. Faced with loneliness, Ungud sought to create life. Using a boomerang, he stirred the sea and formed a massive landmass out of the foam generated. On this land, he laid countless eggs, bringing forth an abundance of life. This myth of creation is central to Aboriginal folklore and represents the symbolism of the boomerang as a representation of emptiness.
Similar narratives can be found in Japanese mythology recorded in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. Izanagi and Izanami stood upon the floating bridge of heaven (Ame-no-ukihashi) and stirred the chaotic landmass with a heavenly spear called Ame-no-nuboko. The drops that fell from the spear accumulated and formed the first island, Onogoro. Subsequently, Izanagi and Izanami married and gave birth to the Great Eight Islands (Oyashima) and the gods. Izanagi and Izanami also symbolize emptiness.
In Mongolian creation mythology, a similar story of stirring is observed. Initially, there was only water, and the Buddhist deity Lama arrived with an iron rod to stir it. As a result, wind and fire emerged, and the thickened center of the water became the birthplace of the Earth.
"Eingana"
In the beginning, the world was an infinite desert, and Eingana grew tired of this landscape. With the intention of bringing life to the world, Eingana submerged herself in the water and created all things. Finally, after enduring a long and painful labor, she gave birth to humans. Eingana possesses a string that connects to all living beings, and any species that Eingana releases the string from is destined for extinction.
"Yurlungur"
Yurlungur is the Rainbow Serpent of the southern Australian traditions. Known as the "Father Snake," he is a weather deity whose voice is thunder, and his dwelling spring shines in rainbow colors. Yurlungur had long been asleep at the bottom of the spring until he was awakened by the smell of menstrual blood dropped by his human descendants. In his sudden awakening, he caused a massive flood, engulfing the sisters and their children in his force. Later, a snake assembly was held, where Yurlungur confessed to having swallowed his own offspring and promised to regurgitate them. Yurlungur fulfilled his promise by regurgitating the sisters and their children, and the magical instrument called the Didgeridoo, which Yurlungur possessed, played on its own, while ants bit the sisters and their children, reviving them. From this mythology, some Aboriginal tribes incorporate the experience of vomiting as part of their initiation rituals.
Rainbow Serpent, Two Snakes, Flood, Rain, Thundercloud
In Africa, Asia, Oceania, North and South America, there is a connection between the symbols of the Rainbow Serpent, Two Snakes, Flood, Rain, and Thundercloud.
"Fijian Legend of Dengei"
In the Pacific Islands of Fiji, the Rainbow Serpent is known as the creator deity Dengei. Dengei is a god who caused floods in anger but also saved eight survivors by placing them on a bota nut. The deities that worship Dengei as the supreme god are called Karou Vu. In Fiji, there are structures with high roofs called bure karou, where gods descend from the heavens to grant wishes.
"West African Legend of Mawu"
In West Africa, the female goddess Mawu, who is a creator deity, first created snakes, and after assisting in the creation of the world, she coiled herself at the bottom of the sea. The rainbow is said to be formed by this snake arching in the sky, and it also has the role of bringing rain.
"Haitian Legend"
The legend of the Rainbow Serpent in Haiti is said to have been passed down and transformed by the African-descendant population.
"Maya Civilization - Ixchel"
Ixchel, known as the Rainbow Lady, is a goddess in Maya mythology who presides over floods, rainbows, and childbirth. She is depicted wearing a skirt embroidered with interlaced bones and with a snake on her head. When angered, she brings heavy rain and causes floods. The presence of a snake on her head is also observed in other mythologies, such as Aeon.
Aeon.
"Native American Legends"
In the traditions of the Shoshone people, Native Americans of North America, it is believed that the rainbow is created when a large serpent rubs its back against the sky, causing rain and snowfall.
"Tupari Tribe in Mato Grosso, Brazil"
Among the Tupari tribe, it is believed that when a person dies, their pupils separate from their body and become pavids. Pavids do not walk on the ground like living beings. Their path leading to the kingdom of the dead involves crossing the backs of two large crocodiles and reaching the presence of a pair of giant snakes. These twin serpents often extend their bodies high into the sky and are visible to all during rainfall. This is because they are the rainbow. (Until 1948, the Tupari tribe had little contact with white people and remained an isolated tribe.)
"Chinese Legends of Kōgei"
In Chinese snake deity legends, Kōgei represent the rainbow. The character "虹" (rainbow) includes the "insect radical" (虫偏) because the rainbow was considered a type of dragon, with the male being the rainbow (虹) and the female being the naga (蜺). It is said that the rainbow is the body of this dragon, and in Chinese characters, the combination of the characters for male and female represents the rainbow, written as 虹霓/虹蜺 (both read as "Kōgei"). In other words, the rainbow represents two snakes.
"Shimenawa in Japanese Shinto Shrines"
The shimenawa, the sacred rope used to demarcate holy spaces in Shinto shrines, is designed in the shape of two entwined mating snakes. The shimenawa also symbolizes thunderclouds. The zigzag-shaped white paper streamers (shide) represent lightning, which occurs within thunderclouds, and the straw fibers between the streamers represent rain falling from the thunderclouds.
Image of Snake Mating.
Flood Mythology
In Australia, flood mythology is observed in the stories of the Rainbow Serpent Yurlunggur and the Rainbow Serpent Dengei from Fiji. These myths depict the serpents causing floods but also helping to save humans and animals by carrying them on boats or other means. Similar flood myths are found across different continents.
"Mbuti Tribe of Africa"
One day, a chameleon noticed the sound of water flowing inside a tree. Curious, the chameleon cut open the trunk with an axe, and a massive amount of water gushed out, causing a great flood. Eventually, from this water, a pair of light-skinned men and women emerged, becoming the ancestors of humankind.
"Sumerian Mythology"
Before destroying humanity with a flood, the god Enki instructed Ziusudra (Noah) to build a boat and saved a remnant of humans and animal species.
"China"
The Jade Emperor (Gyokko) became angry with humanity and caused a great flood, leading to their extinction. However, Fuxi and Nüwa had received knowledge and kindness from the immortals in the past and managed to survive by entering a bamboo basket.
In another version, a great flood is caused by the Thunder God, and Fuxi and Nüwa, who are siblings in the form of two snakes, take refuge inside a giant gourd. They are the only ones who survive, becoming the ancestors of humanity. The two snakes were a common symbol.
"Hopi Tribe of America"
Sotuknang instructed Spider Woman, "Cut tall, hollow plants and place the people inside." Spider Woman cut reeds, placing people, a small amount of water, food, and cornmeal inside. Sotuknang then appeared and caused a massive flood. The people inside the reeds were saved.
"Inca Empire"
The god Viracocha is the creator of civilization and is said to have destroyed the people around Lake Titicaca with a great flood. However, Viracocha saved two individuals, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, to spread civilization throughout the world.
"Colombia - Chibcha People"
Chibchakum or Chickchekum was a deity who protected laborers and merchants. Becoming angered by the behavior of the people on the Bogota Plateau, this protective deity sent a massive flood that covered the entire land. The afflicted people pleaded for mercy to Bochica, the chief of the gods. Bochica appeared inside a rainbow near the town of Soacha, sending the sunlight to dry up the water.
"Ecuador - Cayambe People"
During a great flood, a pair of brothers sought refuge on the summit of a tremendously tall mountain called Wakañan. As the water rose, the mountain grew higher, preventing the water from reaching the brothers. When the flood subsided, the brothers had exhausted their food supply. Two parrots came to their aid, providing care. Eventually, the younger brother had six sons and daughters with the parrots.
"Chilean and Argentinean Indigenous People - Mapuche Tribe"
Many centuries ago, a massive flood occurred, forcing people to seek refuge on the high mountain peak of Tenteñ and the animals to gather on the peak of Kaikai. The flood was caused by the evil force named Gekufu. However, to thwart his plan, when the floodwaters rose, the supreme god Guinchechen also raised the mountains high. The surviving people became the ancestors of the Mapuche tribe.
In another myth, the great flood was the result of a conflict between two serpents, Tenteñ and Kaikai. As Tenteñ increased the water level, Kaikai raised the mountains even higher, saving humans and animals from drowning. Regardless of whether they sought refuge on Tenteñ or Kaikai, the humans eventually transformed into animals, fish, birds, and others.
"Mythology from the Huarochirí Region, Central Highlands of Peru"
One of the creator gods, Pariacaca, possessed the power of wind, rain, and floods. He attempted to pass through the village of Wagaiusa disguised as a poor man, but except for a young woman who brought him a drink called Chicha, the villagers did not warmly receive him. Angered, Pariacaca first warned the young woman and her family to ensure their escape from the disaster, then destroyed the village with rain and floods.
"Another Myth from the Huarochirí Region of Peru"
An indigenous person tied a llama (American camel) in a place with lush pasture. The sad llama told its owner that in five days, the waters of the sea would cover the surface of the earth and swallow everything. Guided by the llama, the indigenous person climbed to the summit of a high mountain called Vilcacoto, carrying five days' worth of food. Upon reaching the top, they found a gathering of numerous animals and birds, leaving hardly any space to accommodate everyone. As the sea began to rise, filling the valleys and covering every hill except for Vilcacoto, the water receded after five days. The lone survivor on the mountain became the ancestor of all people in the present world.
"Myth from the Ancash Region of Peru"
One month before a great flood, llamas owned by indigenous people seemed extremely sad. The llamas were concerned about the alignment of the stars, which foretold that the world would soon be destroyed by water. Upon hearing this, a shepherd gathered his six sons and daughters to discuss the matter. They agreed to take as much food as possible and lead as many livestock as they could to seek refuge on the summit of a tall mountain called Ancasmayu. As the water continued to rise, covering the land, the mountain rose higher and higher, preventing the flood from submerging it. Eventually, as the floodwaters receded, the mountain also decreased in height. Thanks to the six children of the shepherd who sought refuge on the mountaintop, the Cuyos region began to flourish again with people.
In these stories, we can observe that the rainbow serpent, Pariacaca, Manco Capac, Mama Ocllo, Enlil, Enki, Ziusudra (Noah), Sotuknang, Fu Xi and Nu Wa, and the thunder god are all symbols of emptiness or nothingness. There are numerous similar flood myths found in various regions around the world.
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References:
Peru - Inca Mythology
Oceania
Oceania refers to the whole region encompassing Australia, New Zealand, Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. People began inhabiting Australia and New Guinea through Southeast Asia around 50,000 years ago. The first encounter of Europeans with this region occurred in 1521.
In the Kai ManaWa Forest Park in New Zealand, beneath the trees, there exist intricately cut and precisely arranged megalithic stone structures.
The Republic of Kiribati in Oceania has a traditional sport called "KauNrabaTa," which is a form of Kiribati sumo wrestling. The Aboriginal people in Australia also have a form of wrestling known as "Koreeda." Sumo and wrestling are found among various ethnic groups worldwide.
■Around 40,000 BCE
Denisova Cave
Denisova Cave, located in the Altai Mountains region of Russia, near the borders of China and Mongolia, is believed to have been inhabited by the Denisovans approximately 41,000 years ago.
Hokkaido's Ainu People
Among the Ainu people who have spread across Hokkaido since around 1000 CE, the Y-chromosome haplogroup D1a2a is predominant, originating around 40,000 years ago.
■Around 32,000 Years Ago
Hohle Fels Cave, Germany
A goddess figurine made from mammoth ivory, dating back to around 32,000 years ago, has been excavated from Hohle Fels Cave in Germany. The figurine depicts a goddess with exposed breasts and hands resting below, a pose and thick lower body common to goddess figurines found worldwide. Additionally, a lion-headed female figurine has also been discovered.
From left to right: Venus figurine from Hohle Fels Cave, and in the center and right are Lion Lady.
■Around 29,000 BCE
Leg Amputation Surgery and Knowledge of Human Anatomy
During this period, evidence of successful leg amputation surgery was found in human remains discovered on Kalimantan Island, Indonesia. The clean cut of the affected area and the bone's knob-like regeneration indicate intentional leg amputation. Researchers from Griffith University and other institutions speculate that intensive care, including regular wound cleaning, bandage rewrapping, and disinfection, was provided. They also suggest that people of that time possessed detailed knowledge of limb structures, muscular systems, and vascular systems. Based on the bone's regrowth, it is estimated that the individual survived for 6 to 9 years after the amputation without severe infections and likely died around the age of 20.
■Around 23,000 BCE
Goddess Figurine from Austria
Goddess figurines have also been discovered in Willedorf, Austria, estimated to be from around 23,000 BCE. They share common features such as exposed breasts, touching the breasts, thick lower bodies, and depiction of the navel.
Goddess Figurine from France
A Venus figurine with a thick lower body known as the Rochedane Venus was unearthed in France, dating back to around 23,000 BCE.
■Around 21,000 BCE
Goddess Figurine from Bryansk Oblast, Russia
Goddess figurines have been discovered in Bryansk Oblast, Russia, exhibiting similar characteristics such as touching the breasts and having a thick lower body.
Goddess Figurine from Malta, Russia
During the same period, goddess figurines were also found in Malta, Russia, displaying common features.
Cave Paintings in Europe
In addition to goddess figurines, symbols have been found on cave walls in Europe during this period. These symbols include swirl patterns, zigzag patterns, serpent-like lines, crescent-shaped arcs, and ladders, which are common symbols. The symbol of an open hand is also observed in later periods.
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Reference:
"The First Signs: Unlocking the Mysteries of the World’s Oldest Symbols" by Genevieve von Petzinger
■Around 13,000 BCE
Eskimo-Inuit Ethnic Groups
The Eskimo-Inuit people spread from Siberia to Greenland. The majority of Inuit and Native American Y-chromosome haplogroups belong to the Q lineage, which is believed to have originated around 22,000 BCE near Iran.
From left to right: Bering Strait, Alaska (Inuit), Greenland.
Terracotta figurines unearthed from Alaska exhibit common characteristics with goddess figurines found in various regions, such as triangular undergarments and hand positions. The light-blocking devices used by the Inuit also feature the same design as the eyes of Japan's light-blocking device figurines. The golden ratio spiral pattern can also be observed in light-blocking device figurines.
Light-blocking Device Figurines from Miyagi Prefecture and their Golden Ratio.
Hopi Tribe of Native Americans
Around 13,000 years ago, humans had reached America, and a distinctive stone tool culture characterized by projectile points, known as Clovis culture, thrived in North and South America. Clovis projectile points have also been unearthed.
The Hopi Tribe, Native Americans, practice spirit worship.
The two snakes on the Hopi Tribe's stone tablets symbolize the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers, which serve as the boundaries of their land. In the vicinity of the Grand Canyon, there are other Native American tribes in addition to the Hopi Tribe.
According to Hopi tradition, their ancestors return to the Grand Canyon after death, and it is said that they can communicate with their creator there.
Blackfoot Tribe and Glacier National Park
For the Blackfoot Tribe in Montana, Chief Mountain is a mountain created by the Old Man, the primal creator, to demonstrate his power to the Great Spirit. Similar to creation myths from various regions, the primal creator represents emptiness.
Cayuse Tribe and Mount Hood
In the legends of the Cayuse Tribe in Oregon, United States, Mount Hood, a dormant volcano, is considered the primal place of fire. The Blackfoot Tribe visits this mountain when they seek to communicate with spirits.
Zuni Tribe
Among the Zuni Tribe in North America, a myth is passed down that Awonawilona is both male and female, serving as the creator and sustainer of the world.
Iroquois Tribe and Niagara Falls
For the Iroquois Tribe, Native Americans of the United States, Niagara Falls symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. When a malevolent water serpent brought disease to the Seneca village, the Thunder God created the falls to defeat the serpent. The enormous body of the defeated serpent was trapped within the rocky bed of the Niagara River. The water of the river continues to cascade over it. In this legend, we see the symbols of the serpent, the Thunder God, and lightning.
Haida Gwaii Islands
Haida Gwaii, also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is a collection of approximately 150 islands on the western coast of Canada, inhabited by the Haida Tribe.
According to the legend, when the Common Raven took flight from the primal sea, the spray created by its wings caused these islands to emerge. Here too, we observe similarities with creation myths from various regions, where gods often emerge from a primal sea to create the world. However, in Haida mythology, it is the Common Raven that is credited with creating the islands.
Totem Poles
Totem poles, found among Native Americans, are wooden sculptures erected in houses, in front of houses, and in cemeteries, representing a form of tree worship. They often depict an adult figure holding a child.
The depiction of an adult figure holding a child on totem poles is also seen in stone statues unearthed from Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, dating back to around 10,000 BCE. These stone statues also share the common pose of touching the chest seen in various goddess figures from different regions.
The birds depicted on totem poles are known as Thunderbirds. Thunderbirds are large eagles associated with thunder and lightning. They possess the ability to summon thunder and strike their prey with lightning. The eagle, bird, and lightning are also shared symbols.
The Thunderbird motif can also be seen embroidered on the shoulder bags of the Ojibwe Tribe, an Indigenous people spanning across the United States and Canada.
The design of the eagle is found as a symbol in various countries, such as the stone pillars of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, the stone handbags of the Jiroft culture in Iran, and the decorative items of ancient Egypt.
Native Americans and Tobacco
From an Ice Age hunting camp in Utah, North America, bird bones and tobacco seeds dating back to around 10,000 BCE have been found.
Evidence of Native Americans smoking tobacco with pipes has also emerged, dating back to around 1000 BCE in northern Alabama, USA. Nicotine was detected in the pipes.
These pipes, known as sacred pipes or calumets, are used by Native Americans to engage in conversation with the "Great Mystery." They believe that everything in nature is under the guidance of the "Great Mystery" (the truth of the universe), which represents emptiness. Thus, tobacco and pipes are originally tools used in rituals dedicated to emptiness.
The majority of Native Americans belong to the Y-chromosome haplogroup Q, which is believed to have originated around 20,000 BCE near Iran.
In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail with the intention of reaching India but instead landed in the Americas, naming the indigenous people "Indians." It was during this time that Europeans arrived in the Americas and became acquainted with Native American pipes, eventually spreading them worldwide. This eventually led to a wave of mass production, giving rise to the production of cigarettes. The first tobacco seeds were introduced to Japan in 1601 by members of the Society of Jesus who arrived in Nagasaki. In other words, Japan's smoking pipes (kiseru) also have their origins as ritual tools dedicated to emptiness.
Illustrations of pipes from various countries in the 1800s and later cigarette production.
Native Peoples and Tobacco
Among the Mbuti people, who originated in Africa around 65,000 years ago, there is a story of a man and a woman who survived a great flood and became the ancestors of humanity. The Mbuti people reside in the tropical rainforests of Congo and also have a culture of smoking tobacco.
Similarly, the Kukukuku tribe in Papua New Guinea, who practice slash-and-burn agriculture, also have a culture of smoking tobacco.
Yanomami Tribe in the South American Amazon
Indigenous populations in South America also exhibit a high prevalence of the Y-chromosome haplogroup Q.
The Yanomami tribe, who have preserved their unique culture and customs for over 10,000 years in the dense jungle, is a significant indigenous group of approximately 28,000 people living near the Brazil-Venezuela border in the South American Amazon. They represent a large indigenous population with minimal cultural assimilation remaining in South America.
In the Yanomami tribe, girls become pregnant and give birth at an average age of 14. Deliveries take place in the forest, and they face the choice of returning the newborn in its state with the umbilical cord attached (referred to as a "spirit") or raising it as a human child. When returning as a spirit, the newborn is wrapped in banana leaves with the umbilical cord attached and placed in a white ant hill. After waiting for the ants to consume it, the ant hill is burned to signify the transformation into a spirit, which is then reported to the gods. Within the Yanomami culture, this process is expressed as "transforming the child into a spirit." A similar practice occurs when a member of the tribe passes away due to old age or illness, as they are also returned to being a spirit.
The ritual of returning the newborn to the ant hill is also found in the creation myth of the Dogon people in the Republic of Mali, West Africa. According to their myth,
"the supreme deity Amma created eight hermaphroditic humans, who later multiplied to become eighty. During this time, there was no concept of death, and the first aging human would be returned to the ant hill, which represents the womb of the earth. Through the power of Nommo, they would transform into spirits and ascend to the heavens."
This creation myth of the Dogon people shares similarities with myths from other regions, despite the geographical differences between West Africa and South America.
The Yanomami tribe also holds the concept of deities and practices shamanism as their religion. They pray to the gods and perform rituals to return to the celestial realm, similar to the Ainu people's Kamui-no-Michi and Iomante. Iomante is a ceremony of the Ainu people in which animals like bears are killed, and their souls, known as Kamui, are sent back to the realm of the gods. This suggests that the gods of the Yanomami tribe are also associated with emptiness.
Furthermore, in the Yanomami tribe, the ritual for choosing a husband involves women wrestling with each other. They begin the match by placing their hands on the ground, similar to the opening ceremony of sumo wrestling.
The main food sources of the Yanomami tribe include meat from animals, fish, insects, and cassava. They also practice slash-and-burn agriculture, cultivating crops such as cooking bananas and cassava.
The Carapalo Tribe of the South American Amazon
The Carapalo tribe, residing in the Singu River region, a tributary of the Amazon River, has a total population of around 550 people. They are indigenous people engaged in slash-and-burn agriculture, cultivating crops like cassava and corn. They live in households with approximately 25 to 30 individuals. As part of their festivals, they engage in wrestling, which starts with both participants placing their hands on the ground, similar to the beginning of a sumo match.
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