Africa
| Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Vehicle | Name of Survivors | Foreseer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zulu | Unkulunkulu: The great god Unkulunkulu warns people of a flood, and they survive by climbing the Drakensberg mountains. | Mountains | People | Unkulunkulu |
| Zulu | Nomkhubulwana’s Warning: Nomkhubulwana, goddess of rain, warns the people of an impending flood, and they survive by building rafts. | Rafts | People | Nomkhubulwana |
| Yoruba | Olokun’s Flood: Olokun sends a flood to punish humanity; Orunmila helps the survivors. | Not specified | Not specified | Olokun, Orunmila |
| Kongo | Nzambi Mpungu: The god Nzambi Mpungu sends a flood to cleanse the earth, and the survivors are those who climb to the highest peaks. | High peaks | People | Nzambi Mpungu |
| Bantu | The Chameleon and the Flood: A chameleon warns the people of a coming flood, and they survive by building boats. | Boats | People | Chameleon |
| Egyptian | Hapi’s Flood: Hapi, the Nile god, sends a flood to cleanse the land, and the survivors are saved by taking refuge on high ground. | High ground | People | Hapi |
| Dogon | Nommo’s Flood: The Nommo, a water spirit, causes a flood to purify the earth and make it habitable. The survivors are the ancestors of the Dogon people. | Not specified | Ancestors of the Dogon | Nommo |
| Masai | Enkai and the Flood: Enkai, the sky god, floods the earth to punish humans. The Masai survive by climbing to high ground and building rafts. | High ground, rafts | Masai people | Enkai |
| Fon | Mawu-Lisa’s Flood: The twin deities Mawu and Lisa send a flood to cleanse the earth. Survivors are saved by seeking refuge on high ground. | High ground | People | Mawu, Lisa |
| Akan | Nyankopon’s Flood: Nyankopon, the supreme god, sends a flood to punish humanity. Survivors are saved by climbing the highest trees. | High trees | People | Nyankopon |
Americas
| Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Vehicle | Name of Survivors | Foreseer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inca (South American) | Unu Pachakuti: Viracocha floods the world, and two people survive by floating in a box. | Box | Two people | Viracocha |
| Mandan (North American) | Mandans: Celebrated a festival involving a “Big Canoe,” representing the ark. They have a legend of a white man who survived a flood and brought the news of the disaster. | Big Canoe | A white man | Not specified |
| Iroquois, Chickasaws, Sioux | Iroquois, Chickasaws, Sioux: All have flood legends involving a single family or person surviving and repopulating the earth. | Not specified | Single family/person | Not specified |
| Cherokee | Kanati and Selu: Kanati and Selu survive a great flood by seeking refuge in a cave on a high mountain. | Cave | Kanati, Selu | Not specified |
| Hopi | Spider Grandmother: Spider Grandmother leads people to survive a flood by floating in hollow reeds. | Hollow reeds | People | Spider Grandmother |
| Tlingit | Yehl’s Flood: Yehl, the raven spirit, warns the Tlingit people of a great flood, and they survive by seeking refuge on a high mountain. | High mountain | Tlingit people | Yehl |
| Ojibwe | Waynaboozhoo and the Great Flood: Waynaboozhoo survives a flood by floating on a log and recreates the earth from a bit of mud. | Log | Waynaboozhoo | Not specified |
| Apache | White Painted Woman: White Painted Woman survives a great flood by floating in a boat made of a hollowed-out log. | Log | White Painted Woman | Not specified |
| Haitian | Agwe and the Flood: The god Agwe sends a flood, but instructs the people to build boats to survive. | Boats | People | Agwe |
| Brazilian (Tupi) | Monan’s Flood: Monan, the creator god, sends a flood to punish humanity, and the survivors escape by climbing tall trees. | Tall trees | People | Monan |
| Native American (Algonquin) | Gluskap’s Flood: Gluskap, a culture hero, warns the people of a flood and saves them by transforming into a beaver and building a large dam. | Dam | People | Gluskap |
| Mesoamerican (Aztec) | Coxcox/Tezpi Legend: Coxcox and his wife, Xochiquetzal, survived the flood in a bark or raft. After the flood, Tezpi sent birds to find dry land. | Bark or raft | Coxcox, Xochiquetzal | Tezpi |
| Mesoamerican (Aztec) | Codex Vaticanus: Describes four ages of the world, with the last ending in a great flood. Coxcox and Xochiquetzal survive on a tree-trunk. | Tree-trunk | Coxcox, Xochiquetzal | Not specified |
| Central American (Maya) | Popul Vuh: Describes a great flood caused by the god Hurakan, resulting in a resinous rain and darkness, akin to the Chaldean and biblical accounts. | Not specified | Not specified | Hurakan |
| Quiche (Maya) | Quiche Legends: Mention migration from the East, across the sea, after a great flood, indicating a connection to Atlantis. | Not specified | Quiche people | Not specified |
| Toltec | Toltec Flood Story: Describes a flood covering the earth and a close chest (toptlipetlocali) in which survivors escape. | Close chest (toptlipetlocali) | Not specified | Not specified |
| Toltec | Migration from Aztlan: The Toltecs migrated from Aztlan (Atlantis), a beautiful land, after a great flood. | Not specified | Toltecs | Not specified |
| Haitian | Agwe and the Flood: The god Agwe sends a flood, but instructs the people to build boats to survive. | Boats | People | Agwe |
| Alaskan (Inuit) | Aningan’s Flood: The god Aningan causes a flood, and the survivors are saved by floating on an iceberg. | Iceberg | Not specified | Aningan |
| Tupi | Monan: Monan, the great spirit, sent a flood to punish humanity, but Irin Mage helped some survive. | Not specified | People | Irin Mage |
Asia
| Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Vehicle | Name of Survivors | Foreseer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hindu (Indian) | Manu and the Fish: Manu is warned by a fish (Vishnu) and builds a boat to survive a great flood. | Boat | Manu | Vishnu (fish) |
| Chinese | Gun-Yu: Gun steals magic soil to stop a flood sent by the gods; his son Yu continues the work and controls the flood. | Not specified | Yu, family | Gods |
| Japanese | Izanagi and Izanami: After Izanagi and Izanami create the islands of Japan, a great flood is sent to test their creations. | Not specified | Not specified | Izanagi, Izanami |
| Tibetan | Nyatri Tsenpo: The first king of Tibet, Nyatri Tsenpo, survives a flood by seeking refuge on the highest mountain. | Mountain | Nyatri Tsenpo | Not specified |
| Tibetan (Bön) | Nyatri Tsenpo: The first king of Tibet, Nyatri Tsenpo, survives a flood by seeking refuge on the highest mountain. | Mountain | Nyatri Tsenpo | Not specified |
| Vietnamese | Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh: A great flood is part of a battle between the mountain god Son Tinh and the water god Thuy Tinh. | Not specified | Not specified | Son Tinh, Thuy Tinh |
| Vietnamese | Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ: The dragon lord Lạc Long Quân causes a flood, and the survivors are saved by climbing the mountains. | Mountains | Lạc Long Quân, Âu Cơ | Not specified |
| Thai | Phra Nao: Phra Nao survives a great flood by taking refuge on a mountain. | Mountain | Phra Nao | Not specified |
| Korean | Namu Doryeong: A boy and his animals survive a flood by climbing a tree, which then grows into a boat. | Tree/boat | Namu Doryeong | Not specified |
| Korean | Gun and Yu: Gun steals magical soil to stop the flood sent by the heavens; his son Yu completes the work and survives. | Not specified | Gun, Yu | Heavens |
| Japanese | Kappa’s Flood: Kappa, a water spirit, warns a kind family about an upcoming flood, and they survive by building a boat. | Boat | Family | Kappa |
| Tibetan (Buddhist) | Padmasambhava’s Flood: The guru Padmasambhava predicts a great flood, and the people survive by building large arks. | Arks | People | Padmasambhava |
| Malay | Malai Perumal: The god Malai Perumal sends a flood, and the survivors are those who take refuge on a high mountain. | High mountain | People | Malai Perumal |
| Pakistani (Pashtun) | Bibi Fatima’s Warning: Bibi Fatima warns the people of a flood, and they survive by building boats. | Boats | People | Bibi Fatima |
| Filipino (Visayan) | Bukidnon Flood: A great flood sent by the gods covers the land, and the survivors escape in bamboo rafts. | Bamboo rafts | People | Gods |
| Ainu (Japanese) | Okikurmi’s Flood: Okikurmi, a culture hero, warns the Ainu of a flood, and they survive by climbing a sacred mountain. | Sacred mountain | Ainu people | Okikurmi |
| Tibetan | Nyatri Tsenpo: The first king of Tibet, Nyatri Tsenpo, survives a flood by seeking refuge on the highest mountain. | Mountain | Nyatri Tsenpo | Not specified |
| Persian (Avestan) | Yima’s Vara: Yima, warned by Ahura Mazda, constructs an underground enclosure (vara) to survive the winter and flood. | Underground enclosure | Yima, chosen people | Ahura Mazda |
| Hindu (Indian) | Satyavrata (Vaivasvata Manu): The fish Matsya (an avatar of Vishnu) warns Satyavrata of an impending flood, leading him to build an ark. | Ark | Satyavrata, seven sages, animals | Matsya (Vishnu) |
| Mongolian | Baatar and the Flood: Baatar, a hero, is warned of a flood by a wise old man and builds a boat to save his family and animals. | Boat | Baatar, family, animals | Wise old man |
Europe
| Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Vehicle | Name of Survivors | Foreseer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greek | Deucalion’s Flood: Deucalion and Pyrrha survive a flood sent by Zeus by building a chest. | Chest | Deucalion, Pyrrha | Zeus |
| Greek (Thessalian) | Ogyges’ Flood: Ogyges, the king of Boeotia, survives a great flood that submerges the land by climbing a high mountain. | Mountain | Ogyges | Not specified |
| Greek (Arcadian) | Lycaon’s Flood: Zeus floods the earth to punish Lycaon, and the survivors escape by climbing the highest mountains. | Mountains | Survivors | Zeus |
| Sumerian | Epic of Gilgamesh: Utnapishtim builds a boat to survive a great flood sent by the gods. | Boat | Utnapishtim, family | Gods (Enlil, Ea) |
| Mesopotamian (Sumerian) | Atrahasis: The god Enki instructs Atrahasis to build a boat to survive a flood sent by Enlil to reduce the human population. | Boat | Atrahasis, family | Enki |
| Norse | Bergelmir’s Flood: Bergelmir and his wife survive a flood of blood from the slain giant Ymir by floating on a boat. | Boat | Bergelmir, wife | Not specified |
| Celtic (Irish) | Cessair’s Flood: Cessair and her followers flee a great flood to Ireland, but only Fintan survives. | Not specified | Fintan | Not specified |
| Slavic | Slavic Flood Myth: Foretold by Svarog, a man and woman survive the flood in a boat. | Boat | Man, woman | Svarog |
| Welsh (Celtic) | Dwyfan and Dwyfach: Dwyfan and Dwyfach survive a great flood by building an ark and repopulate Britain. | Ark | Dwyfan, Dwyfach | Not specified |
| Romanian | Făt-Frumos: Făt-Frumos builds an ark to survive a great flood sent by the gods to punish humanity. | Ark | Făt-Frumos, family | Gods |
| Finnish (Kalevala) | Väinämöinen’s Flood: The hero Väinämöinen survives a great flood by seeking refuge on the top of a mountain. | Mountain | Väinämöinen | Not specified |
| Turkish | Nu’u: Nu’u, warned by the gods, builds an ark to survive a great flood. | Ark | Nu’u, family | Gods |
| Etruscan | Tages and the Flood: The prophet Tages warns the Etruscans of a great flood, and they survive by constructing large boats. | Boats | Etruscans | Tages |
| Armenian | Hayk’s Flood: Hayk, the legendary patriarch, survives a great flood sent by the gods by climbing Mount Ararat. | Mount Ararat | Hayk, family | Gods |
| Celtic (Scots) | Dewi’s Flood: Dewi, a giant, warns the people of a flood, and they survive by building large boats. | Boats | People | Dewi |
| Basque | Basajaun: Basajaun, a giant, warns the people of a flood, and they survive by building boats. | Boats | People | Basajaun |
| Irish | Partholon’s Flood: Partholon and his followers escape a great flood by seeking refuge on high ground in Ireland. | High ground | Partholon, followers | Not specified |
| Estonian | Vanemuine: Vanemuine, a god of music, warns of a flood and instructs people to build boats to survive. | Boats | People | Vanemuine |
| Scandinavian (Norse) | Ragnarok: During Ragnarok, a flood occurs when the world serpent Jormungandr releases its tail, flooding the earth. | Not specified | Lif, Lifthrasir | Not specified |
| Serbian | Vila’s Warning: The fairy Vila warns the people of a coming flood, and they survive by building boats. | Boats | People | Vila |
Oceania
| Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Vehicle | Name of Survivors | Foreseer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maori (New Zealand) | Tāwhaki’s Flood: Tāwhaki causes a flood to destroy evil beings. | Not specified | Tāwhaki | Tāwhaki |
| Maori (New Zealand) | Maui and the Flood: Maui causes a flood to destroy the wicked people, and the survivors are those who followed his warnings. | Not specified | People | Maui |
| Tahitian | Rata and the Tree: Rata builds a great canoe from a tree to escape a flood. | Canoe | Rata | Not specified |
| Tongan | Talafungani: Talafungani, a demigod, warns the people of a flood, and they survive by building large canoes. | Canoes | People | Talafungani |
| Polynesian (Samoan) | Tui Fiti’s Flood: The god Tui Fiti causes a flood, and the people survive by building large canoes. | Canoes | People | Tui Fiti |
| Polynesian | Rata and the Whale: Rata escapes a flood by riding on a whale. | Whale | Rata | Not specified |
| Micronesian | Luk and the Breadfruit Tree: Luk survives a flood by climbing a giant breadfruit tree, which then becomes a boat. | Tree/boat | Luk | Not specified |
| Fijian | Tanovo and the Flood: The god Tanovo causes a flood, but the people survive by building a large canoe. | Canoe | People | Tanovo |
| Hawaiian | Nu’u’s Flood: Nu’u survives a flood sent by the gods by building an ark. | Ark | Nu’u | Kane, Kanaloa |
| Aboriginal (Australian) | Wurundjeri: Bunjil, the eaglehawk, warns people of a flood, and they survive by climbing a high mountain. | Mountain | Wurundjeri people | Bunjil |
| Aboriginal (Australian) | Tiddalik the Frog: Tiddalik drinks all the water, causing a drought; when he laughs, he releases the water, causing a flood. | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Aboriginal (Australian) | Gunakadeit: A giant fish (Gunakadeit) caused a flood, and survivors found refuge on high ground. | High ground | People | Not specified |
| Maori (New Zealand) | Ruatapu’s Flood: Ruatapu causes a flood to punish the people, and the survivors are those who escape in canoes. | Canoes | People | Ruatapu |
| Aboriginal (Australian) | Djanggawul Sisters: The Djanggawul sisters caused a flood by their actions, and people survived by fleeing to higher ground. | Higher ground | People | Djanggawul sisters |
| Polynesian (Tuvalu) | Te Ulu o Te Watu: The god Te Ulu o Te Watu sent a flood, and the people survived by climbing coconut trees. | Coconut trees | People | Te Ulu o Te Watu |
| Polynesian (Tahitian) | Ruu’s Flood: Ruu built a boat to survive a flood sent by the gods. | Boat | Ruu, family | Gods |
| Polynesian (Tonga) | Tangaloa: The god Tangaloa caused a flood, and people survived by seeking refuge on high mountains. | High mountains | People | Tangaloa |
| Aboriginal (Australian) | Mamaragan: The thunder god Mamaragan caused a flood, and the survivors took refuge in the trees. | Trees | People | Mamaragan |
| Polynesian (Samoan) | Moso’s Flood: The god Moso sent a flood, and the people survived by building large canoes. | Canoes | People | Moso |
| Maori (New Zealand) | Uenuku and the Flood: Uenuku warned his people of an impending flood, and they survived by building rafts. | Rafts | People | Uenuku |
Middle East
| Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Vehicle | Name of Survivors | Foreseer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumerian | Epic of Gilgamesh: Utnapishtim builds a boat to survive a great flood sent by the gods. | Boat | Utnapishtim, family | Gods (Enlil, Ea) |
| Mesopotamian (Sumerian) | Atrahasis: The god Enki instructs Atrahasis to build a boat to survive a flood sent by Enlil to reduce the human population. | Boat | Atrahasis, family | Enki |
| Hebrew | Biblical Flood: Noah builds an ark to survive a flood sent by God. | Ark | Noah, family | God |
| Persian (Avestan) | Yima’s Vara: Yima, warned by Ahura Mazda, constructs an underground enclosure (vara) to survive the winter and flood. | Underground enclosure | Yima, chosen people | Ahura Mazda |
| Turkish | Nu’u: Nu’u, warned by the gods, builds an ark to survive a great flood. | Ark | Nu’u, family | Gods |
| Babylonian | Ziusudra’s Flood: Ziusudra builds a large boat after being warned by the god Enki of a forthcoming flood. | Boat | Ziusudra, family | Enki |
| Islamic | Islamic Flood: Nuh (Noah) builds an ark to survive a flood sent by Allah to punish the wicked. | Ark | Nuh (Noah), family | Allah |
| Phoenician | Phoenician Flood Myth: A great flood sent by the gods wipes out humanity; survivors escape by taking refuge on a mountain. | Mountain | People | Gods |
| Assyrian | Ashurbanipal’s Flood: In the Assyrian version, a great flood is sent by the gods, and a wise man builds a boat to survive. | Boat | Wise man, family | Gods |
| Chaldean | Xisuthros: Xisuthros (Ziusudra) builds a ship to survive a flood sent by the gods to destroy humanity. | Ship | Xisuthros, family | Gods |
| Hittite | Hittite Flood Myth: The gods send a flood to punish humanity, and survivors escape by building large boats. | Boats | People | Gods |
| Armenian | Hayk’s Flood: Hayk, the legendary patriarch, survives a great flood sent by the gods by climbing Mount Ararat. | Mount Ararat | Hayk, family | Gods |
| Persian | Jamshid’s Flood: Jamshid, a legendary king, is warned of a great flood and builds an underground refuge to survive. | Underground refuge | Jamshid, chosen people | Gods |
| Arabic | Adnanite Flood: In pre-Islamic Arabian mythology, the Adnanites survive a great flood sent by the gods by seeking refuge on high ground. | High ground | Adnanites | Gods |
| Syrian | Atrahasis: Atrahasis is warned by the god Enki of a forthcoming flood and builds a boat to survive, similar to the Sumerian legend. | Boat | Atrahasis, family | Enki |
| Canaanite | El’s Flood: The god El sends a flood to cleanse the earth of wickedness, and the survivors take refuge on a sacred mountain. | Sacred mountain | People | El |
| Zoroastrian | Yima’s Vara: Yima builds an underground enclosure to survive a catastrophic winter, which some interpretations consider a flood. | Underground enclosure | Yima, chosen people | Ahura Mazda |
| Egyptian | Hapi’s Flood: Hapi, the Nile god, sends a flood to cleanse the land, and the survivors are saved by taking refuge on high ground. | High ground | People | Hapi |
| Phoenician | Phoenician Flood Myth: A great flood sent by the gods wipes out humanity; survivors escape by taking refuge on a mountain. | Mountain | People | Gods |
| Hebrew | Genesis Flood Narrative: God sends a flood to destroy the wickedness of humanity; Noah builds an ark to save his family and animals. | Ark | Noah, family, animals | God |
Count of Vehicles by Continent
| Continent | Mountains | Boats | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | 6 | 1 | 3 (rafts, chameleon warning, high trees) |
| Americas | 3 | 3 | 4 (log, hollow reeds, tall trees, iceberg) |
| Asia | 5 | 5 | 3 (underground enclosure, sacred mountain, tree/boat) |
| Europe | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| Middle East | 3 | 7 | 1 (underground enclosure) |
| Oceania | 5 | 10 | 2 (whale, tree/boat) |
Duration
Here is a list of the Great Flood stories that mention the duration, sorted from the shortest to the longest duration:
| Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hebrew | Biblical Flood: Noah builds an ark to survive a flood sent by God. | 40 days and 40 nights |
| Islamic | Islamic Flood: Nuh (Noah) builds an ark to survive a flood sent by Allah to punish the wicked. | 40 days and 40 nights |
| Greek (Deucalion) | Deucalion’s Flood: Zeus sends a flood to destroy humanity, and Deucalion and Pyrrha survive in a chest. | 9 days and 9 nights |
| Mesopotamian (Sumerian) | Atrahasis: The god Enki instructs Atrahasis to build a boat to survive a flood sent by Enlil. | 7 days and 7 nights |
| Sumerian | Epic of Gilgamesh: Utnapishtim builds a boat to survive a great flood sent by the gods. | 7 days and 7 nights |
| Chaldean | Xisuthros: Xisuthros builds a ship to survive a flood sent by the gods. | 7 days and 7 nights |
| Babylonian | Ziusudra’s Flood: Ziusudra builds a large boat after being warned by the god Enki of a forthcoming flood. | 7 days and 7 nights |
| Greek (Thessalian) | Ogyges’ Flood: Ogyges survives a great flood that submerges the land. | 9 months |
Birds involved
| Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Bird Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Hebrew | Biblical Flood: Noah sends out a raven and then a dove to find dry land. | Raven, Dove |
| Islamic | Islamic Flood: Nuh (Noah) sends out a raven and then a dove to find dry land. | Raven, Dove |
| Sumerian | Epic of Gilgamesh: Utnapishtim sends out a dove, a swallow, and a raven to find dry land. | Dove, Swallow, Raven |
| Mexican (Aztec) | Coxcox/Tezpi Legend: Tezpi sends out birds to find dry land; a hummingbird returns with a leafy branch. | Hummingbird |
| Norse | Bergelmir’s Flood: The flood from Ymir’s blood is survived by Bergelmir, and a bird is sometimes mentioned. | Bird (unspecified) |
| Alaskan (Inuit) | Aningan’s Flood: The survivors are guided by birds to find dry land. | Birds (unspecified) |
Animals in Flood Stories by Continent
| Continent | Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Specific Animals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | Egyptian | Hapi’s Flood: Hapi, the Nile god, sends a flood to cleanse the land, and the survivors are saved by taking refuge on high ground. | Various animals |
| Americas | Biblical | Biblical Flood: Noah saves pairs of all animal species by taking them into the ark. | Various animals |
| Americas | Alaskan (Tlingit) | Yehl’s Flood: Yehl, the raven spirit, warns the Tlingit people of a great flood, and they survive by taking animals on a large raft. | Various animals |
| Americas | Cherokee | Kanati and Selu: Kanati and Selu survive a great flood by seeking refuge in a cave on a high mountain, with animals accompanying them. | Various animals |
| Americas | Native American (Ojibwe) | Waynaboozhoo and the Great Flood: Waynaboozhoo saves a bit of mud and recreates the earth with the help of animals. | Muskrat, turtle, various animals |
| Americas | Hawaiian | Nu’u’s Flood: Nu’u takes pairs of animals onto his ark to survive the flood. | Various animals |
| Americas | Brazilian (Tupi) | Monan’s Flood: Monan, the creator god, sends a flood to punish humanity, and survivors escape with animals. | Various animals |
| Americas | Mexican (Aztec) | Coxcox/Tezpi Legend: Tezpi sends out birds to find dry land; a hummingbird returns with a leafy branch. | Hummingbird, various animals |
| Americas | Mesoamerican (Maya) | Popul Vuh: Describes a great flood caused by the god Hurakan. | Various animals |
| Americas | Alaskan (Inuit) | Aningan’s Flood: The god Aningan causes a flood, and the survivors are saved by floating on an iceberg. | Various animals |
| Asia | Hindu (Indian) | Manu and the Fish: A fish (Matsya, an avatar of Vishnu) warns Manu about the flood and helps him survive by pulling the boat. | Fish (Matsya) |
| Asia | Tibetan | Yima’s Vara: Yima constructs an underground enclosure (vara) to survive the flood, taking with him pairs of various animals. | Various animals |
| Asia | Persian (Avestan) | Yima’s Vara: Yima, warned by Ahura Mazda, constructs an underground enclosure (vara) to survive the winter and flood, taking animals with him. | Various animals |
| Asia | Mongolian | Baatar and the Flood: Baatar builds a boat to save his family and animals. | Various animals |
| Asia | Filipino (Visayan) | Bukidnon Flood: Survivors escape in bamboo rafts and bring various animals with them. | Various animals |
| Asia | Turkish | Nu’u: Nu’u (Noah) builds an ark and saves pairs of all animal species during the flood. | Various animals |
| Europe | Greek (Deucalion) | Deucalion’s Flood: Deucalion and Pyrrha bring animals into the chest they built to survive the flood. | Various animals |
| Europe | Greek (Thessalian) | Ogyges’ Flood: Ogyges survives a great flood that submerges the land, with animals accompanying the survivors. | Various animals |
| Europe | Norse | Bergelmir’s Flood: The flood from Ymir’s blood is survived by Bergelmir, and a bird is sometimes mentioned. | Bird (unspecified), various animals |
| Europe | Celtic (Irish) | Cessair’s Flood: Cessair and her followers flee a great flood to Ireland, bringing various animals with them. | Various animals |
| Middle East | Islamic | Islamic Flood: Nuh (Noah) saves pairs of all animal species by taking them into the ark. | Various animals |
| Middle East | Sumerian | Epic of Gilgamesh: Utnapishtim takes animals on the boat to survive the flood. | Various animals |
| Middle East | Mesopotamian (Sumerian) | Atrahasis: Atrahasis builds a boat to survive a flood and takes animals with him. | Various animals |
| Oceania | Polynesian (Samoan) | Moso’s Flood: The god Moso sent a flood, and people survived by building large canoes and taking animals with them. | Various animals |
| Oceania | Aboriginal (Australian) | Djanggawul Sisters: The Djanggawul sisters’ actions caused a flood, and survivors included various animals. | Various animals |
| Oceania | Aboriginal (Australian) | Mamaragan: The thunder god Mamaragan caused a flood, and survivors took refuge in trees with various animals. | Various animals |
| Oceania | Aboriginal (Australian) | Gunakadeit: A giant fish (Gunakadeit) caused a flood, and survivors included various animals. | Fish (Gunakadeit), various animals |
Celestial and Planetary Relations in Flood Myths
| Continent | Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Planetary/Celestial Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle East | Mesopotamian (Sumerian) | Epic of Gilgamesh: The flood is sent by the gods, including Anu (the sky god) and Enlil (god of wind and storms). | Anu (sky), Enlil (storms) |
| Middle East | Babylonian | Atrahasis: Enki (Ea), a god associated with water and the stars, warns Atrahasis about the flood sent by Enlil. | Enki (water and stars), Enlil (storms) |
| Middle East | Islamic | Islamic Flood: Nuh (Noah) is warned by Allah about the flood, and some interpretations include celestial signs. | Allah (cosmic creator) |
| Europe | Norse | Ragnarok: During Ragnarok, a series of events including floods are tied to the movements and battles of celestial beings. | Jormungandr (world serpent, cosmic significance) |
| Oceania | Polynesian (Tongan) | Tangaloa’s Flood: The god Tangaloa, associated with the sky and creation, sends a flood to punish humanity. | Tangaloa (sky god) |
| Americas | Maya (Popol Vuh) | Popol Vuh: The flood is caused by the gods, including Hurakan (heart of sky). | Hurakan (sky god) |
| Asia | Chinese (Gun-Yu) | Gun-Yu: The flood is associated with the celestial mandate and the actions of gods who control the waters and heavens. | Gods of water and heavens |
Certainly! Here are some additional significant relations in flood myths beyond celestial and planetary associations:
Significant Relations in Flood Myths
Divine Retribution and Moral Lessons
| Continent | Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle East | Hebrew (Biblical) | Biblical Flood: The flood is sent by God as a punishment for humanity’s wickedness and corruption. | Divine retribution and moral purification |
| Middle East | Islamic | Islamic Flood: The flood is sent by Allah to punish the wicked and save the righteous. | Divine retribution and moral purification |
| Europe | Greek (Deucalion) | Deucalion’s Flood: Zeus sends the flood to punish humanity for its impiety and wickedness. | Divine retribution |
| Oceania | Polynesian (Samoan) | Moso’s Flood: The god Moso sends a flood to punish the people for their wickedness. | Divine retribution |
| Americas | Native American (Hopi) | Spider Grandmother: The flood is sent as a punishment for the people’s evil deeds, and Spider Grandmother helps the righteous survive. | Divine retribution and moral lesson |
Cultural Heroism and Survival
| Continent | Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | Hindu (Indian) | Manu and the Fish: Manu is saved by the fish Matsya (an avatar of Vishnu), highlighting divine intervention and the importance of dharma (righteous living). | Cultural heroism, divine intervention |
| Middle East | Sumerian | Epic of Gilgamesh: Utnapishtim is granted immortality for his role in preserving life, symbolizing human endurance and wisdom. | Cultural heroism, reward for wisdom |
| Americas | Native American (Ojibwe) | Waynaboozhoo and the Great Flood: Waynaboozhoo survives the flood and recreates the earth with the help of animals, emphasizing resilience and the connection to nature. | Cultural heroism, connection to nature |
| Oceania | Maori (New Zealand) | Tāwhaki’s Flood: Tāwhaki causes a flood to destroy evil beings, highlighting his role as a cultural hero and purifier. | Cultural heroism, purification |
| Europe | Finnish (Kalevala) | Väinämöinen’s Flood: Väinämöinen survives the flood and becomes a central cultural hero in Finnish mythology. | Cultural heroism |
Migration and Foundation Myths
| Continent | Tradition | Legend/Story Details | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | Quiche (Maya) | Quiche Legends: Mention migration from the East, across the sea, after a great flood, indicating a connection to Atlantis. | Migration, foundation of new civilization |
| Europe | Celtic (Irish) | Cessair’s Flood: Cessair and her followers flee a great flood to Ireland, establishing one of the earliest populations in Irish myth. | Migration, foundation of a new land |
| Asia | Chinese (Gun-Yu) | Gun-Yu: The flood myth is tied to the establishment of Chinese civilization, with Yu controlling the floodwaters and founding the Xia dynasty. | Foundation of civilization |
| Oceania | Polynesian (Tuvalu) | Te Ulu o Te Watu: Survivors of the flood migrate to new lands, establishing new communities. | Migration, establishment of new communities |
