Most creation myths begin with a primal void from which the first beings emerge, but the void can be different in each culture. The Greeks have Chaos, but it is not described; in Norse myth, the void is Ginnungagap, which is described as having fire on one side and ice on the other. The fire and ice reflect the terrain of Scandinavia, with its volcanoes and glaciers. These types of similarities and differences exist in all creation and afterlife myths. In this journal assignment, reflect on the following:
What is the function of each of the two creation myths you chose?
Why do afterlife myths often have places of punishment?