Table of Contents
- Why I collect flood stories
- Africa’s Flood Stories
- American Flood Stories
- Asian Flood Stories
- European Flood Stories
- Oceania Flood Stories
- Middle Eastern Great Flood Stories
- Count of Vehicles by Continent
- Duration
- Birds involved
- Animals in Flood Stories by Continent
- Celestial and Planetary Relations in Flood Myths
- Significant Relations in Flood Myths
- Divine Retribution and Moral Lessons
- Cultural Heroism and Survival
- Migration and Foundation Myths
Why I collect flood stories
Before we look into the event or events that destroyed Atlantis, I want to set the scenario:
Atlantis is typically described as an island.
However, in the years before the destruction, the Atlantean Empire had colonies in many places worldwide.
I was familiar with Noah’s great flood story, but then I discovered that almost every culture has a great flood story. There are over 300 Great Flood stories worldwide. One by one they reveal a piece of what once was a mighty empire.
Let’s look into the Great Flood story of Berossus:
Berossus, called Bêl-re’ušunu in cuneiform documents, was a very important official: he was šatammu, head of the temple organization, between 258 and 253 BCE.
In the second book, Berossus records the ten kings and the length of their reigns, 120 saroi or 432,000 years until the Great Flood. […]
Cronus appeared to Xisuthrus in a dream, warning of a flood on the fifteenth of Daisios. He instructed him to bury tablets in Sippar, build a boat, and board it with family, friends, animals, and provisions. When asked about his destination, Xisuthrus was to say he was going to pray to the gods. The ship, (3,281 feet) long and (1,312 feet) wide, was built as commanded.
After the flood, Xisuthrus released birds. The first returned with no sign of land, the second with mud, and the third did not return, signaling dry land. The ship rested on a mountain. Xisuthrus, his family, and the steersman disembarked, worshiped, and sacrificed to the gods. He then disappeared with his companions. Those remaining heard a divine voice instructing them to honor the gods, retrieve the buried tablets in Sippar, and return to Babylonia. Xisuthrus and his companions were said to have joined the gods.
The ship rested in Armenia, where fragments of it are kept as charms. The survivors dug up the tablets in Sippar, rebuilt Babylonia, and constructed cities and temples.
Berossus (a summary) – link
I like this story because of some valuable details. For me, the precise measurement of the ship reveals advanced technology, and the return to Babylonia proves that there was a Babylon during Atlantean times. This aligns with Jeremiah 51 and Revelation 18:
63 When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, 64 and say, ‘Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.’”
Jeremiah 51: 63-64
“Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come.”
Revelation 18:10
Each Flood story reveals information about the survivors of Atlantis, their relationship with the ‘Gods,’ and the locations where Atlanteans restarted civilizations. I have organized the great flood stories by continent in the tables below.
I compare flood stories from many cultures in Flood Stories from Around the World.
I think it’s fair to say that there is plenty of cultural evidence of a Great Flood event.
Now, let’s look to see if we can find other types of evidence to pinpoint a time in history when this event took place.
Africa’s Flood Stories
| 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 |
American Flood Stories
| 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 |
| Guarani (South America) | As punishment, the gods unleashed the great deluge called Mba'e-megua guasu "great monstrous thing" or massive flood/inundation). | ascended to the sky | people | Ñamandú |
| 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 |
Asian Flood Stories
| 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 |
European Flood Stories
| 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 |
| Brittany, France | Ys; a legendary sunken city from Breton folklore, often said to lie in the Baie de Douarnenez off the coast of Brittany, France. It is portrayed as a wealthy, advanced city built on land reclaimed from the sea | Horse | Gradlon | St. Gwénnolé or St. Corentin |
| 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 |
| Welsh | Cantre'r Gwaeloda legendary sunken kingdom from Welsh mythology, often called the "Welsh Atlantis." | None | King Gwyddno Garanhir | Not specified |
| 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 Flood Stories
| 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 Eastern Great Flood Stories
| 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), Syrian | 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. Genesis 5 | 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 |
| 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 |
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 |
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 |
