Parallel stories
Parallel Stories Across Religions and Myths
The same stories turn up in religions and myths that never met: a world flood, giants before humans, beings who taught humanity, towers to heaven. Each…
10 versionsFlood Stories Around the WorldA god warns one good man, a boat is built, the world drowns and birds are sent out to find land. The same story turns up from Iraq to India to Greece, with cousins in China, Scandinavia and Guatemala.10 versionsCreation from the Primeval Waters and the Cosmic EggBefore anything existed there was dark water. Or an egg. Babylon, Genesis, the Rig Veda, Egypt, Finland and the Quran all start the world in almost the same place.8 versionsGiants and the Races Before UsGenesis has the Nephilim, Greece has the Giants, the North has the frost giants, Arabia has the tall people of 'Ad and the Maya have Zipacna, who piled up mountains. Why does almost everyone remember giants?7 versionsBeings Who Taught Humanity the ArtsFallen angels taught metalwork and makeup, a fish-man from the sea taught writing and law, Prometheus gave fire and numbers, and Thoth invented letters. Many cultures say civilization was a gift from outside.8 versionsTowers to HeavenBabel is the famous one, but Babylonians, Greeks, the Quran, Mexico, China and the Zambezi all tell of people trying to build or climb their way up to the gods, and failing.10 versionsThe Lost Golden Age and the Ages of the WorldGold, silver, bronze, iron: Greece, Persia and the Book of Daniel all count the ages of the world in metals, India counts four yugas, and the Norse and Maya see whole worlds destroyed and remade.
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