End of the World Myths: Cycles of Decline and Renewal
A Brief History of the End of the World: Article #1
1606 words. About 6 minutes
Has the world come to an end already, and we just didn’t notice it?
Are we all living ghosts? Or are we locked in an eternal cycle in some sort of cosmological groundhog day? There are certainly many prophesies, myths, reports and calculations about when and how the end is to happen and why. Some accounts claim the world has already ended and our existence is either not to be believed, or that we exist in some alternate reality. As an anthropologist I find all of them fascinating windows into some of the deepest thinking in the human experience. This article introduces the three basic types of end-of-the-world myths: religious myths, "good versus evil" moral conflict myths, and myths that convey a cyclical philosophy. In this and future articles in this series, I hope to discuss their origins, functions, and meanings to society today.
Understandably, many of the major end-of-the-world myths are built around religious messages because they deal with the largest forces of life and existence. But many other myths have a moralistic "good versus evil" theme that is ethical in nature but does not invoke religious dogma. Both “religious” myths and "good versus evil" myths focus on morality, but it’s important to distinguish between them because they have different origins, functions, and meanings. Confusing these two categories of myths could lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of their intended meanings.
Religious myths are usually based on the belief systems of particular religious traditions and are often associated with rituals, symbols, and practices that are central to those traditions. They typically convey ideas about the nature of the divine, the creation of the world, and the origins of human society.
On the other hand, good-versus-evil “moral conflict” myths feature a struggle between opposing forces, often framed in terms of right and wrong, good and evil, or light and dark. These myths are not necessarily tied to specific religious traditions but often have a universal appeal and resonate with people across cultures, religions, and time periods.
Besides those two types of myths, a third category conveys a philosophy that holds that there is a cyclical nature to the universe through which all of its elements must inevitably move as they develop, decline, fail, and are renewed. I’d like to devote this first article on this particular category of myths, by giving two examples: the Norse myth of Ragnarok and the Hindu Kali Yuga myth.
In the Norse mythology of Ragnarok the world is destroyed by a series of catastrophic events, including earthquakes, floods, and extreme weather, which are seen as inevitable consequences of the way the world is structured. While there is a final battle between the gods and the giants, the event is often seen as more of a natural disaster than a moral conflict.
The Norse myth of Ragnarok is a tale of the end of the world, as told in the poetic and prose Eddas, ancient texts that recount the mythology of the Norse people. In this myth, the world is destined to end in a great final battle between the gods and the giants, with catastrophic events leading up to the ultimate destruction of the world.
According to the myth, the events leading up to Ragnarok begin with the murder of the god Balder, which triggers a series of events that culminate in the final battle. The gods themselves are depicted as flawed and vulnerable, and their fate is intertwined with that of the world they inhabit. As such, the myth conveys a sense of both fatalism and inevitability, as well as the importance of individual actions and choices in shaping the destiny of the world.
As the end of the world approaches, a series of ominous signs and portents appear, including earthquakes, floods, and extreme weather. The sun and moon are devoured by wolves, and the stars fall from the sky. The giant serpent Jormungand rises from the sea, and the ship Naglfar, made from the nails of the dead, sets sail for the battlefield. In addition, Loki, the trickster god who had played a role in Balder's death, breaks free from his bonds and joins the giants in their final assault on the gods.
The final battle itself is a chaotic and violent affair, with the gods fighting for their lives against the giants and other monsters. Many of the gods are killed in battle, including Odin, Thor, and Freyr. The world itself is consumed by fire and water, and all life is destroyed. The myth ends on a note of both despair and hope, as a new world rises from the ashes of the old, populated by a new generation of gods and humans.
The myth of Ragnarok reflects the Norse worldview, which emphasized the cyclical nature of time and the impermanence of all things. The gods themselves are depicted as mortal and fallible, subject to the same forces of fate and destiny as the rest of the world. At the same time, the myth also conveys a sense of the importance of courage and honor, even in the face of inevitable destruction.
Today, the myth of Ragnarok remains a powerful symbol in popular culture, and has inspired countless works of art and literature. It continues to resonate with audiences around the world, as a testament to the enduring power of myth and storytelling. The myth's portrayal of flawed and vulnerable gods fighting for their lives against chaotic and violent forces can be seen as a reflection of the human struggle against adversity and the importance of perseverance in the face of seemingly inevitable destruction.
Similarly, in the Kali Yuga myth that comes to us from the Hindu culture, the end of the world is seen as a natural and inevitable consequence of the degeneration of human society, rather than a battle between good and evil. While there is a sense of judgment and accountability for human actions, the focus is less on the struggle between opposing forces and more on the cyclical nature of time and the impermanence of all things.
My second example of the cyclical type of myth, the Kali Yuga myth, is a story that describes the end of the world in Hinduism, one of the oldest religions in the world. Kali Yuga is the fourth and final age in the cycle of ages, and is seen as a time of great moral and spiritual decline. The myth describes the gradual decay of human society and the world, leading to the eventual destruction of everything.
According to the myth, Kali Yuga is characterized by a decline in morality and spirituality, with human beings becoming increasingly selfish, greedy, and dishonest. People are no longer interested in religion, and the priests and scholars who are meant to guide them are corrupt and ineffective. Society is plagued by violence, disease, and natural disasters, and people are consumed by materialistic pursuits.
As the world descends further into chaos, the gods themselves begin to lose their power and influence, and are unable to intervene to stop the decline. Finally, when the world has reached the depths of its degeneration, a great fire is said to consume everything, destroying both the physical world and the gods themselves.
However, the myth also offers a sense of hope, as it suggests that after the end of Kali Yuga, a new age will begin, marked by a spiritual and moral renaissance. This new age will be characterized by a return to the values of righteousness, truth, and virtue, and the gods will once again be present and active in the world. This cycle will then repeat itself indefinitely, with each age representing a different phase in the ongoing process of creation and destruction.
The Kali Yuga myth reflects the Hindu view of the cyclical nature of time and the impermanence of all things. It emphasizes the importance of moral and spiritual values, and warns against the dangers of materialism and self-centeredness. The myth also offers a sense of hope, suggesting that even in the face of great destruction and despair, there is always the possibility of renewal and rebirth.
Today, the Kali Yuga myth remains an important part of Hinduism, and continues to inspire spiritual and philosophical reflection. It has also influenced the works of many artists, writers, and thinkers around the world. The Kali Yuga myth has important messages for contemporary society. It offers a warning against the dangers of materialism and self-centeredness, and emphasizes the importance of moral and spiritual values. It suggests that the degeneration of society and the world is a natural and inevitable consequence of human actions and attitudes, and serves as a call for individuals to strive towards righteousness, truth, and virtue. The myth also encourages individuals to reflect on their own actions and attitudes, and to consider how they can contribute to a more moral and spiritually fulfilling world. By suggesting that there is always the possibility of renewal and rebirth even in the face of great destruction and despair, the myth also offers a sense of hope. This message of hope and renewal is important and inspiring particularly as so many of today’s communities are experiencing times of crisis and uncertainty.
The Norse myth of Ragnarok and the Hindu Kali Yuga are examples of myths that depict a cyclical nature to the universe through which all of its elements must inevitably move as they develop, decline, fail, and are renewed. They hold great significance for contemporary society by emphasizing the importance of morality and spirituality and by warning against the dangers of materialism and self-centeredness. Ultimately, cyclicle myths offer a message of hope and renewal even in the face of destruction and despair, inspiring individuals to strive towards righteousness, truth, and virtue.