μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Earlier universe opposite of present. Everything in the earlier world was the reverse of the present world. Cf. A855.

Mythological motifs. · Cosmogony and cosmology. · The universe. · Creation of the universe. · Series of creations. · view the constellation · filed as A633

Cited in the index
  • general California tribes (Capistrano, Luiseño, Diegueño, Mohave): Waterman AA n. s. XI 52.
Within the index

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

Filed beside it
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 Succession of creations and cataclysms. From the ruins of each earlier creation a new one is raised New creation shouted away. It is unstable and therefore unsatisfactory
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
Opposite of present. Everything on the earth – courses of rivers, height of mountains, human reproduction, etc. – are at first the reverse of the present condition

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