Creation Myths in the Classroom
Susan Ruyle



This page contains the assignment for a "Creation Report," which can done in writing by individuals, or orally in class as a group project. The assignment challenges students to examine creation stories from various cultures. It is appropriate for English and humanities classes. Sample student reports are included as examples of an oral report or short paper.

The page contains materials on Mexican creation myths. Student reports here include Celtic, Navajo and Acjachemen (Juaneno) creation myths.

The site also provides exercises for discussing animals and symbolism in texts.


Creation Report
Research the creation myth of one culture. Include the following:
  • Pattern of creation
  • Attributes of the deity
  • Creation of humans
  • Nature, food, drink
  • Love, sexuality
  • Origin of evil
  • Redemption, heaven
  • Values, beliefs
Sample Student Report: Celtic
Sample Student Report: Acjachemen
Prepare an oral presentation in a group (4-6 students) or prepare a short paper (2-4 pages double-spaced). Include all of the above topics. Add music, art, and other cultural elements related to your myth (food optional). Include a chart or other visual aid to help the class focus on main points. Use imagination. Bibliography required.


Navajo Creation Myth: Student Outline


First World
  1. There were three beings in the darkness: First Man, First Woman, and Coyote (the trickster-creator)
  2. This world was too small, so they ascended to the Second.

Second World
  1. There were two men who would become Sun and Moon
  2. In each direction of the sky there was a deity
    • In the North there was blueness.
    • In the South there was whiteness.
    • In the West there was yellowness.
    • In the East there was blackness. At times, blackness would overshadow all others, causing night.
    • Types of deities:
      • Persuadable
      • Undependable
      • Unpersuadable
  3. The Sun tried to make love to First Woman, and all in the Second World ascended to the Third World so Sun and First Woman could be far from each other.

Third World
  1. Similar to Earth.
    • At the corners were mountains with lakes at the foot of them.
    • People populated the slopes of the mountains.
  2. The people of this world warned the newcomers to leave the water monster, Tieholtsodi, in peace. But Coyote went to the water anyway and found the water monster's children immensely beautiful. He wrapped them in a blanket and stole them.
  3. When the water monster could not find his children, the waters began to flood.
  4. The people took the mountains from the four corners and stacked them in the center of the world.
  5. The people planted a reed at the top and climbed up it to the Fourth World.

Fourth World
  1. Similar to the Third World, but a river flowed through the middle.
    • The North bank was populated by humans.
    • The South bank was populated by people in animal form.
  2. There was a quarrel between men and women. The men traveled to one side of the river and the women to the other.
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Creation Myths from Mexico: Table


Creation of the Five Worlds Creation of the Earth Creation of Human Beings Creation of Music
Pattern of Creation Ex nihilo; Gods create five worlds from nothing Creation by dismemberment. Godness is pulled apart to form earth Creation by dismemberment. Man created with bones from father of Quetzalcoatl
Divine Attributes Greed, prejudice, fear. (Gods have human characteristics, but divine power) Gods can become angry with each other. Depend on sacrifice from humans Gods receive help from the creatures of nature: ants, worms and bees Gods argue and trick each other in order to create
Food "Goods"
Gods decree that Goddess (Earth) will provide all that humans need to survive Corn: obviously a very important crop for the Aztecs
Love Gods sacrifice themselves to make world for man
Quetzalcoatl uses his own blood to give man life Gods want earth to be beautiful. Life must contain music to inspire the dreaming man and comfort the waiting mother.
Creation of Man

Quetzalcoatl created man from the pulverized bones of his father and blood from himself
Origin of Evil Each world is destroyed through a different evil; people acting improperly, acting without wisdom; refusing to sacrifice; being greedy


Purification/Rebirth Gods purify themselves through sacrifice Sacrifice

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Animals in Mythology


This exercise can be done in class with an accompanying mythological text from any culture, and animals changed appropriately.


BUTTERFLY WOLF DOVE
SNAKE RABBITS SEA HORSE

    1. Analyze the symbolic significance of each animal
    2. Choose one of these animals (or another of your own choice) to cluster and write about
    3. Find examples of mythic animals in your text
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Symbolism in Mythology


This exercise can be done in class with an accompanying mythological text from any culture, and symbols changed appropriately.

ANGEL CHICK & EASTER EGG STAR OF DAVID
CROSS GLOBE GRIFFIN
    1. Explain the mythic meaning of each symbol.
    2. Choose one to cluster and write about
    3. Read aloud
    4. Find examples in text
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