An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Creation Myths
Each culture has its own version of how the universe began. Artist Noah MacMillan brings this “visual vocabulary” to life
- By Leah Binkovitz
- Smithsonian magazine, February 2013
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Comments (11)
To echo the comments of others, where are the creation myths of the Abrahamic religions?
Posted by Alex on March 1,2013 | 12:38 PM
To give the artist the benefit of the doubt... The Genesis story (or stories) has been depicted in art countless times; I think he wanted to expose other less-known stories. Would like to know why the East African god Juok is white, though.
Posted by Ash on February 25,2013 | 06:23 PM
how is Huitzilopochtli, who killed his rival sister having anything to do with a creation myth. OK so he is known for leading the Aztecs into the Valley of Mexico but what about creating the people in the first place - what is that myth?
Posted by Jim on February 20,2013 | 12:24 PM
vyctorynotes.blogspot.com says: I loved this piece. I would love to see another article exploring even more creation myths. The art is wonderful!
Posted by Vyctorya on February 1,2013 | 08:13 PM
Why does the East African god look like a white man crafting darker skinned people? Is he supposed to be white, according to the myth, or is this artistic license? Also, are the creation myths of the Judeo-Christian tradition portrayed in the full article? There are two accounts in Genesis. Overall, the art work is beautiful.
Posted by Ruth on January 26,2013 | 08:34 AM
The rest will be in the issue yes? Loved the five I saw here, will look forward to seeing the others. :)
Posted by Nick Rowley on January 25,2013 | 09:01 AM
So???? What happened to the Judeo-Christian verson if Creation??
Posted by Mary Pristelski on January 25,2013 | 03:44 AM
That was a fun, but all too brief, tour of creation stories; the artwork is beautiful, and the stories are wonderful!
Posted by Christianna on January 24,2013 | 01:08 AM
In the National Geographic series, The Journey of Man, geneticist Spencer Wells traveled to New Mexico. As he talked to some Navajos, he casually asked them about their "creation myth." One man got upset and insisted that it’s not a myth – it’s the truth. How interesting Christianity, Islam, Judiasm and other mainstream religions are considered factual while aboriginal ones are always "creation myths."
Posted by Teresa on January 24,2013 | 12:56 AM
* very artistical - great combination of two themes. modern and ancient - also appears very spiritual - very very good art - a pleasure to see!
Posted by DANIEL JAMES FREBURG on January 24,2013 | 09:16 PM
Fantastic visuals! What imagination and creativity.
Posted by Linda Thomas on January 24,2013 | 11:18 AM