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Gilgamesh and Parallels to the Bible - Page 2

© Linda Casselman

But what is important is what the Flood represents to mankind through the use of myth. The Flood is dual in nature for it both destroys and cleanses. It obliterates but it makes way for something new. The Flood in myth represents rebirth - rebirth of the world, of a new world order, and rebirth of mankind. It is a creative force. Through mythology the Flood brings forth new life.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, our hero also has the misfortune of encountering a serpent.

The serpent in the Gilgamesh tale appears once Gilgamesh has found the boon of immortality, the magical flower. While our hero is resting and bathing after his adventures the snake quickly snatches the flower from Gilgamesh thus stealing immortality for himself from Gilgamesh and from mankind in general.

Do we not encounter a snake in the Bible as well? Does it not appear in the Creation story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? It certainly does! And it serves a similar purpose as well.

In the Adam and Eve Creation story from the Bible a snake appears and succeeds in tempting Eve into eating from the Tree of Knowledge. This act directly leads to the Fall of mankind and their expulsion from Paradise. Now, had mankind not Fallen from Grace they would have enjoyed everlasting life. So again, here we have the snake, the trickster figure, who steals or cheats mankind out of immortality. And again we have evidence that the writers of the Bible borrowed older tales to create their own literature and belief systems.

So what have we learned from these myths then? We have learned that mythology tells us that the Great Flood, though destructive, is a necessary creative force for the rebirth of the world and of mankind. We have learned also that the quest for immortality is futile for everlasting life belongs only to the gods.

So now what? Well, if you follow the teachings of these myths then you will see that we have been given a second chance so live life and enjoy it!

Until next time...

The copyright of the article Gilgamesh and Parallels to the Bible - Page 2 in Mythology is owned by Wayne Kreger. Permission to republish Gilgamesh and Parallels to the Bible - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.