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Creation

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The divine act of bringing the universe into existence, a central doctrine in most world religions.

Detailed Definition
The narrative of creation, from the Genesis account to the Hiranyagarbha of the Rigveda, is a primary source of poetic imagery. It speaks to the wonder of existence, the goodness of the material world, and the power and wisdom of the creator. Poets draw on creation myths to explore themes of origin, order emerging from chaos, the divine word (Logos) as creative force, and the inherent sacredness of nature. The act of poetic creation is often seen as a mirror or participation in the divine act of creation.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Genesis-inspired poetry, Creation begins with Word: “Let there be—light leaps from the tongue of God”; In Hindu verse, Creation emerges from Aum’s vibration: “The cosmos hums the note that never ends”; In Indigenous poetry, Creation is ongoing: “The earth is still being sung into being”; Contemporary eco-poets see Creation as co-creative: “We are not owners, but participants in Creation’s dance.”
Additional Notes
Creation narratives vary: ex nihilo (Judaism/Christianity/Islam), cyclical emanation (Hinduism), or cosmic sacrifice (Purusha Sukta); all affirm order emerging from chaos and humanity’s sacred role; poets draw on creation motifs to explore origins, ecological responsibility, and the ongoing act of co-creation through art and word.
Also Known As
Cosmogony
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