Maya

The Perfect Creation
Only the sky and the sea existed on earth at the beginning, and hidden underneath the sea were the Creators, formers of the world. They commanded the water to recede, uncovering the earth, and from it sprouted lush vegetation. Deciding the silence did not satisfy their creation, they forged wild animals, birds, and snakes, and told them how to behave. However, when the Creators commanded the animals to praise and love them, the primitive creatures were unable to even call out the Creators' names.

Disappointed, the Creators decided to form a superior being to dominate all other life forms. At first, they tried to mold the creatures out of mud, but it proved to be too soft.

Next, they attempted to fashion the being out of wood, but the soulless creature failed due to its inability to worship the creators, for their minds held nothing of consequence. Angered, the Creators beset them with animal enemies that ravaged the faces of the few survivors until mangled. Their descendents became known as monkeys.

Informed by four animals- the mountain lion, the coyote, the crow, and the small parrot- of the abundant yellow and white ears of corn, the Creators pushed for a final attempt make the perfect entity, mixing cornmeal dough and fashioning the four First Fathers, who praised and thanked their Creators.

Nevertheless, the Creators feared that one day the humans would surpass them in intelligence and power, so they destroyed the original knowledge and wisdom the four First Fathers possessed. Satisfied, the Creators presented the Four Fathers with wives and were pleased to see that peace existed among the humans despite their differences. As a reward, they illuminated the dark world and settled down, knowing that what they had created was perfect.

The Mayan version of creation can be compared to the Bible's and the Enuma Elish both similarly and in contrast. In the Bible, gods are not given a definite form. They seem more spirit than physical being. Only one instance gives the impression that God could actually physically exist: when he walks through the Garden of Eden. Meanwhile, the Enuma Elish describes the gods' figures in great detail, to emphasize how much power these ethereal beings possess. The Mayan creation's brief physical description shows that in their culture, power does not always come from visceral strength.

Also in the Bible, none of the gods are definite on their actions or creations. God creates humans, yet he does not seem to realize that his creations will eventually give in to a temptation that will ruin the paradise of his Garden of Eden. In the Mayan creation story, the Creators must make three attempts in order to form the perfect subservient worshiper. This shows that they had no knowledge of the outcome of their creation.

In the Mayan creation story, the Creators used violence when things went wrong. Their second attempt at a human failed, and, frustrated, they killed these wooden beings through a ruthless flood. The Bible also utilizes this idea of destruction when God floods the earth, angered by humankind's evil hearts. Similarly in the Enuma Elish, the god Apsu's first thought of destroying the gods who distrub his peace shows a recurring theme of using violence to solve problems.

The Mayan creation story also greatly differs from the Bible and the Enuma Elish because in the Bible, the one singular god creates the world, whereas in the Mayan and Enuma Elish version many creators of equal importance and power shape and form the world.

2. http://www.berkeleymedia.com/resources/app/catalog/images/fullsize/film_15.jpg
 * Pictures Citation:** 1. http://www.jaguar-sun.com/img/mudmen.jpg