Pre-existing world of gods above. Such a world is assumed before the real creation of the universe. Though this belief is not explicitly set forth in many mythologies, it seems to be implied in most of the North American Indian systems. See, for example, motif A31, Creator's grandmother

Motif

Pre-existing world of gods above. Such a world is assumed before the real creation of the universe. Though this belief is not explicitly set forth in many mythologies, it seems to be implied in most of the North American Indian systems. See, for example, motif A31, Creator's grandmother.

Mythological motifs. · Cosmogony and cosmology. · The universe. · Creation of the universe. · Series of creations. · view the constellation · filed as A631

Filed across the traditions

Jewish *Neuman. – Samoa: Dixon 18f.
Hawaii Beckwith Myth 45.

Within the index

Filed under Series of creations. The present universe is the last of a succession of creations.

Filed beside it

Succession of creations and cataclysms. From the ruins of each earlier creation a new one is raised Earlier universe opposite of present. Everything in the earlier world was the reverse of the present world. Cf. A855 New creation shouted away. It is unstable and therefore unsatisfactory

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “pre-existing” · wander