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Creative Thought and the Divine Word: An Examination of the Mythological Expression of Cosmic Consciousness

Merve Günaltay Başak, Aynur Koçak

Religions February 17, 2026 DOI: 10.3390/rel17020245 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative content analysis Peer reviewed
Population Primary mythological texts from Hindu, Maori, Maya, Maiana, Dogon, Polynesian, Ancient Egyptian, and Turkish traditions
Key findings Cosmogonic myths structure coherent models of creation in which cognitive intention and verbal articulation play constitutive roles, operating beyond mere narrative description.

Abstract

This article adopts a comparative mythology framework in order to situate creation myths within a broad cultural context. It examines how different societies conceptualize the emergence of the universe through the interconnected notions of thought and word. The study demonstrates that, despite cultural diversity, these narratives articulate shared principles concerning the mental and linguistic foundations of existence while preserving tradition-specific expressions. The analysis is based on qualitative content analysis of primary mythological texts drawn from Hindu, Maori, Maya, Maiana, Dogon, Polynesian, Ancient Egyptian, and Turkish traditions, encompassing sources ranging from the Rig Veda and the Popol Vuh to the theology of Ptah and Dogon doctrines of word-based creation. These materials were examined through hermeneutic reading practices and comparatively evaluated using concept-oriented analytical categories. The findings indicate that cosmogonic myths operate beyond mere narrative description by structuring coherent models of creation in which cognitive intention and verbal articulation play constitutive roles.

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