Iroquois Creation Myths

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The pagan creation myth of the Iroquois “The World on the Turtle’s Back” similitude to the Christian beliefs of Earth’s creation in the book of Genesis. “In the beginning there was no world, no land, no creatures of the kind that are around us, and there were no men.” This phrase indicates that Iroquois also believed that at the beginning of Earth’s formation there was nothing. These beliefs are very similar to the accounts in the Bible. “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth.” “Now the Earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2) In the first paragraph the Iroquois show that they believe in gods who live in the sky. Just like Christians believe in the almighty God creator of Earth. Humans, Christian or pagan have always sought to believe in a higher power that is in charge of life and shaping Earthly creatures of the natural world (existence). In this story the Iroquois’s gods are characterized like humans who can be led by curiosity. In the story there is a Great Tree, which is sacred and cannot be touched by anyone. This has great a resemblance with the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden which was not to be touched or eaten. (Genesis 3:2-3) In both events …show more content…

“The World on the Turtle’s Back,” is an exact representation of this. Their moral values and the way good and evil enter the world match exactly to Eve’s sons, which are Cain and Abel. In the myth the twins represent good and evil. Explaining to the reader that the right- handed twin who always told the truth. He was right and reasonable like Abel, who brought good offerings to the Lord. On the other hand, we have the left-handed twin. This twin represents evil, being devious and a liar like Cain, whose offerings were frowned upon by Him. (World on Turtle’s Back lines: 108-116 and in Genesis

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