In this article, we’re going to explore some fascinating stories about how the universe was created from nothing, a concept known as “ex nihilo.” This idea can be a bit tricky to understand because it involves thinking about a time when there was absolutely nothing—no time, no space, just an endless void. We’ll look at different cultural stories that talk about this theme and see how they are similar and different from each other.
The phrase “ex nihilo” comes from Latin and means “out of nothing.” These kinds of creation stories often make us think deeply about what it means to exist. One of the most famous ex nihilo stories in Western culture is from the Book of Genesis in the Bible, which starts with, “In the beginning, God created the Heaven and the Earth.” In this story, God exists before anything else, in a dark and formless void, with waters that aren’t fully described.
Ex nihilo stories are common in the ancient Near East, where religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam began. For example, in Egyptian mythology, there’s a story where a god says, “I am the eternal spirit, I am the sun that rose from the primeval waters.” This shows a common theme: an eternal god creating the world from a watery, primordial state.
Before creation, many myths talk about a state of Chaos, which mythologist David Leeming describes as a “primal void” that comes before the world is formed. In Hesiod’s Theogony, Chaos is the first thing to exist, and then Earth comes next. This idea of Chaos sets the stage for gods to organize the universe.
A fascinating creation story comes from the Kono people of Guinea. In their myth, darkness is home to Death and his family. The god Alatangana visits and finds the dark, chaotic place unsatisfactory. He changes the mud into solid Earth and fills it with plants and animals, showing how a god brings order to chaos. This story is similar to Egyptian myths, highlighting a vast sea and a god existing before creation.
Water is often a big part of these myths, representing the vastness and mystery of the universe. Ancient people, who knew the sea and sky well, often used these elements when thinking about creation. The idea that life started in the sea even matches modern evolutionary theories, though we won’t go into that here.
The Maya creation myth, found in the Popul Vuh, tells a complex story where creation happens several times. It starts with nothingness, like the Genesis story, but includes a feathered serpent and a maker who create the world with their thoughts and words. This myth highlights the power of speech and the special role of humans, similar to the biblical story of Adam naming the animals.
Some people might not think of the Big Bang theory as a myth, but it has similarities with ex nihilo stories. It describes an event that happened before time, with a burst of light and energy. Even though it doesn’t involve a god or water, it shares the same sense of wonder and chaos found in ancient myths.
Ex nihilo creation myths make us think about existence, void, and chaos. Each story gives us a different view on how order and light come from darkness and nothingness. Through these stories, we learn about humanity’s ongoing quest to understand where we come from and the universe we live in.
Imagine you are an ancient storyteller. Write your own creation myth where the universe is created from nothing. Think about what elements you would include, such as gods, chaos, or water. Share your story with the class and discuss the similarities and differences with the myths we’ve studied.
Create a chart comparing the different ex nihilo myths discussed in the article. Include columns for the culture, main elements (such as gods, chaos, water), and the sequence of events. Use this chart to identify common themes and unique aspects of each myth.
In groups, choose one of the ex nihilo myths and create a short skit to perform for the class. Focus on the key events and characters. After each performance, discuss how the skit captured the essence of the myth and what it taught about creation.
Create an art piece that represents the transition from chaos to order, a common theme in ex nihilo myths. Use any medium you like, such as drawing, painting, or digital art. Present your artwork to the class and explain how it reflects the concepts from the myths.
Participate in a class debate on the similarities and differences between creation myths and scientific theories like the Big Bang. Prepare arguments for both sides, considering how each explains the universe’s origins and what role, if any, myths play in understanding our world today.
Creation – The act of bringing something into existence, often referring to the origin of the world or universe in religious or mythological contexts. – In many cultures, the creation of the universe is attributed to a divine being or beings who shaped the world from chaos.
Myths – Traditional stories that explain natural or social phenomena, often involving gods or supernatural beings. – Greek myths often feature gods like Zeus and Athena, who interact with humans and influence their lives.
Chaos – A state of complete disorder and confusion, often described as the initial condition of the universe before creation. – In Greek mythology, Chaos was the void from which the first gods emerged.
Water – A fundamental element in many creation myths, often representing the source of life or the primordial state of the universe. – In the Egyptian creation myth, the god Atum emerged from the waters of chaos to create the world.
Universe – The totality of known or supposed objects and phenomena throughout space; the cosmos. – According to Norse mythology, the universe was formed from the body of the giant Ymir.
Nothing – The absence of anything; often used in myths to describe the state before creation. – In some creation stories, the universe began from nothing, brought into being by a divine word or thought.
God – A supreme being or deity worshipped in various religions, often credited with the creation and governance of the universe. – In Hindu mythology, Brahma is the god responsible for the creation of the world.
Existence – The state of being, especially in relation to the universe and life as described in religious or mythological contexts. – Many myths explore the existence of gods and their role in shaping human destiny.
Darkness – The absence of light, often symbolizing the unknown or the state before creation in mythological stories. – In the Maori creation myth, the world began in darkness before the separation of earth and sky.
Order – An organized state, often established by divine beings to bring structure to the universe from chaos. – The Egyptian god Ma’at represented order and balance, maintaining harmony in the universe.
