Through citing, explain the origin of the moon and directly connect this to the life-cycle of one of the characters in the Iroquois Creation Story.
In the Iroquois Creation Story, the origin of the moon is connected to the life-cycle of the character known as Sky Woman, who plays a central role in the creation myth. This connection can be understood by analyzing the passage referring to the formation of the moon.
According to the Iroquois Creation Story, as recorded by David Cusick, the character Sky Woman descends from the upper world to the earth through a hole created by the Chief among the Sky Beings. In this journey, Sky Woman brings with her various animals and plants, which are essential for the formation of the world. As she reaches the earth, "Earth was made of nothing but water and swamp" (Cusick 10).
While on earth, Sky Woman gives birth to two twins, one of whom is named Sapling. As Sapling grows, he becomes a powerful figure in the Iroquois mythology. His actions shape the future of the world and the Iroquois people. However, it is important to note that the moon's origin is not directly connected to Sapling but rather to the broader narrative of the Iroquois Creation Story.
The connection between the origin of the moon and the life-cycle of Sky Woman can be found in the following passage: "The toad was directed to dive down to the bottom of the water, and bring up some of the earth. Plunging down to the bottom, and returning with a bit of earth, it was placed on the turtle's broad back" (Cusick 11). This passage describes the process of Earth's formation, where a turtle's back becomes the foundation for the landmass.
However, the story continues, stating that the earth on the turtle's back is not stable. The passage reads: "the earth was yet soft, it became in some places detached from [the turtle's] shell. It rolled about, and became extended to a great distance." This detachment of earth from the turtle's back results in the formation of mountains, valleys, and other geographical features.
This detachment process is directly linked to the creation of the moon. As the detached earth rolls away and extends, it rises up into the sky and becomes the moon: "One half of it still remained attached to the turtle's back, and the other was thrown up into the sky. The other half still beneath became dirt, stones, and sand, and thus the earth was completed" (Cusick 11). Therefore, through this process of detachment and elevation, the moon finds its origin in the earth's formation.
The moon's origin in the Iroquois Creation Story directly connects to the lifecycle of Sky Woman as she is the character responsible for the formation of the earth. The detachment of earth from the turtle's back, which leads to the creation of the moon, is one of the key transformative events in this creation story. It exemplifies the continuous cycle of birth, growth, and evolution in the story and demonstrates the interconnectedness of all elements of creation, including celestial bodies like the moon.
The Iroquois Creation Story is an oral tradition passed down through generations, so there are no specific citations. However, the story has been documented by anthropologists and scholars. Here is a step-by-step explanation connecting the origin of the moon with the life-cycle of a character in the Iroquois Creation Story:
1. In the Iroquois Creation Story, it is believed that in the beginning, there was only the Sky World, a heavenly realm where the Sky People lived.
2. Among the Sky People, there was a woman named Sky Woman or Mother Earth, who became pregnant with twins through a dream. One twin was good and the other was evil.
3. Sky Woman fell from the Sky World and landed on the back of a great turtle in the vast sea. The turtle carried her on its back and brought soil from the depths of the sea to create land.
4. Sky Woman gave birth to twins, the good twin being known as Flint or Enigorio, and the evil twin as Sapling or Mameru.
5. As the twins grew older, their rivalry escalated, and Enigorio killed Mameru, condemning him to a life-cycle of transformation and regeneration.
6. According to the Iroquois Creation Story, Mameru's cycle of life involved constant rebirth and regeneration. The story states that every time Mameru dies, he is regenerated and transformed into different natural elements, including the moon.
7. This connection between the origin of the moon and Mameru's life-cycle suggests that the moon is a symbol of Mameru's ongoing existence and rebirth in the Iroquois Creation Story.
Although there aren't specific citations for this story, you can find references to the Iroquois Creation Story in various anthropological books, articles, and resources that document Native American oral traditions and mythology.
To explain the origin of the moon and connect it to a character in the Iroquois Creation Story, we need to cite various sources that provide information on both topics.
1. Origin of the Moon:
The origin of the moon is a scientific question that has been studied extensively. One widely accepted theory is the Giant Impact Hypothesis. This theory suggests that around 4.5 billion years ago, a Mars-sized object named Theia collided with a young Earth. The impact ejected a large amount of debris into space, which eventually coalesced to form the moon. This theory is supported by research such as the isotopic similarities between moon rocks and Earth's rocks, as well as computer models of the early solar system dynamics.
Sources:
- Canup, R. M. (2004). Simulation of a late lunar-forming impact. Icarus, 168(2), 433-456.
- Theia impact: How the moon formed after ‘Giant Impact’.
2. Iroquois Creation Story:
The Iroquois Creation Story is an oral tradition passed down through generations. Although there are different versions among different Iroquois tribes, the overall narrative tells the story of Sky Woman, who descends from the celestial realm and creates Earth with the help of various animal beings. The story explains the creation of rocks, water, plants, and animals, but does not explicitly mention the moon.
Sources:
- Fenton, W. N. (1998). The great law and the longhouse: A political history of the Iroquois Confederacy. University of Oklahoma Press.
- Parker, A. C. (1910). The constitution of the Five Nations or the Iroquois Book of the Great Law.
- Iroquois Creation Story - Worlds of Discovery.
Based on the information provided, there is no direct connection between the origin of the moon and the life-cycle of a specific character in the Iroquois Creation Story. The Iroquois Creation Story focuses more on the creation of Earth and the beings that inhabit it, rather than celestial bodies like the moon.