创世神话(creation myth)，亦称cosmogony。

某一种文化传统或某一个社群根据自己的理解用象徵手法叙述世界的起源。其内容纷纭不一，但可归纳出几个基本类型。世界各地大多数创世神话都信仰至高无上的创世神，这位神全知全能，是有世界以前唯一存在的实体，并有创世计画。另一种宇宙起源论认为，世界是分阶段产生的，犹如胎儿的孕育过程，强调大地及地上万物的潜在能力。第三种认为世界由原始亲体产生，象徵天和地的亲体原为浑然一体，他们的子女破坏这种状态，因此促使亲体分离，即世界的创造，其结果都是以人类文化的知识技术为中心的宇宙秩序的出现。与这种神话有关的另一说法是宇宙卵创世说，这种卵与世界亲体一样，象徵混沌状态，其中包含分裂与创世的可能性。第五种说法是，有一个动物或魔鬼，奉神的派遣潜入原始海洋，从其中捞出陆地供万物生息。这些神话通常包含了三个主体︰最原始的存在物或神、具神性的人类祖先以及人类。创世神话解释了人类的宗教信仰基础、生活方式和文化形态。在一些确认社群组织与阶级的仪式中，尤其是入会式，常以戏剧的方式呈现这些神话。

English version：

creation myth

Symbolic narrative of the creation and organization of the world as understood in a particular tradition. Not all creation myths include a creator, though a supreme creator deity, existing from before creation, is very common. Myths in which the world emerges gradually emphasize the latent power of the earth. In other creation myths, the world is the offspring of primordial parents, derives from a cosmic egg, or is brought up from primordial waters by an animal or devil. Humans may be placed on earth by a god or rise from its depths or from a cultic rock or tree. There are often three stages of creation: that of primordial beings or gods, that of human ancestors who are often semidivine, and that of humans. Creation myths explain or validate basic beliefs, patterns of life, and culture. Rituals dramatize the myth and, particularly in initiations, validate the community's organization and rankings.