Flood Myths: Tales of Destruction, Renewal, and Resilience

Welcome back to None But Curious! Can you believe it’s 2025? We’re kicking off Season 3 with an episode that dives deep—literally—into the flood myths that have shaped human storytelling across cultures and time. From ancient Mesopotamia to China, from the Bible to Hindu mythology, flood narratives have long been a powerful way for humanity to explore destruction, renewal, and resilience.

Why Do So Many Cultures Have Flood Myths?

Flood myths are a recurring theme in global storytelling. Whether in the Epic of Gilgamesh, the story of Noah’s Ark, the tale of Manu in Hindu tradition, or China’s Gun-Yu myth, these stories share striking similarities. Water has always been a force of nature that both nurtures life and wipes the slate clean, offering the possibility of renewal.

These myths often share a structure:

• A civilization or people face divine judgment or natural catastrophe.

• A chosen individual is warned and builds an ark, ship, or refuge.

• The flood destroys the old world.

• The survivor(s) begin anew, often with a divine covenant or blessing.

It’s fascinating to see how different cultures interpreted these stories and what they reveal about human nature.

Comparing the Myths The Epic of Gilgamesh (Ancient Mesopotamia)

One of the earliest flood myths appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The god Enlil, irritated by humanity’s noise, decides to wipe them out with a great flood. However, the wise god Ea warns a righteous man, Utnapishtim, instructing him to build a massive ship. He gathers his family, animals, and seeds of all plants. The storm rages for seven days and nights, and when it ends, Utnapishtim sends out birds to find dry land. The gods, impressed by his devotion, grant him immortality.

Noah’s Ark (The Bible)

A well-known parallel is found in Genesis. God, seeing the corruption of humanity, instructs Noah to build an ark and take pairs of animals to survive a coming flood. For 40 days and 40 nights, the rains pour, wiping out life except for those aboard the ark. After the flood, Noah releases a dove, which returns with an olive branch, signaling land. God then makes a covenant with Noah, marking the sky with a rainbow as a promise never to flood the earth again.

Manu and the Fish (Hindu Mythology)

In Hindu tradition, the flood myth revolves around Manu, a wise man who is warned by the god Vishnu, appearing as a small fish. Vishnu tells Manu to build a boat and gather seeds and animals. As the floodwaters rise, the fish grows larger, guiding Manu’s boat to safety in the Himalayas. After the flood, Manu repopulates the world with the creatures and seeds he saved.

The Great Flood of China (Gun-Yu Myth)

In Chinese mythology, a great flood threatened civilization for generations. The emperor called upon Gun, who attempted to control the waters with magical soil but ultimately failed. His son, Yu, took a different approach. Instead of blocking the waters, he worked with them, carving out canals and irrigation systems to redirect the flood. His efforts were successful, and Yu became a legendary ruler, symbolizing resilience and adaptation.

Could These Myths Be Based on Real Events?

Some scientists believe these myths might have been inspired by actual floods. The Black Sea Deluge Hypothesis suggests a massive flood occurred around 7,500 years ago, submerging settlements along the Black Sea. Similarly, an ancient flood in China around 1920 BCE might have inspired the Gun-Yu myth.

Floods are common natural disasters, and ancient societies may have preserved their experiences through storytelling, blending history with mythology.

Cultural Exchange and the Evolution of Myths

Ancient travelers and traders didn’t just exchange goods—they also shared stories. The similarities between flood myths suggest that as people moved, they carried these tales with them, adapting them to thei

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) Welcome to the None But Curious podcast. We're all about finding inspiration in life's uncertainties.
Whether you're still figuring things out, questioning your beliefs, or just curious
about the world, come hang out with us as we celebrate the beauty of not having all the answers.

(00:21):
Hey! Welcome to season three of None But Curious. Can you believe it? It's 2025!
So much has happened since the last time we connected, and we're not going to go into that
because we are all overwhelmed with everything that is going on. And if I'm a little bit squeaky,

(00:45):
I'm still getting over the ick that has been going around for a while now. It caught up with me,
and I hope it's not too distracting. Let's get into this. I'm so excited. Today we are exploring
flood myths. It's a topic that's been a staple in human storytelling for thousands of years.
And it's really cool to think about how across the globe, from vast oceans to towering mountains,

(01:11):
societies have crafted tales of great floods reshaping their worlds.
From the epic of Gilgamesh in ancient Mesopotamia, to the story of Noah's Ark in the Bible,
and from Hindu tales of Manu to China's Gun-Yu story, flood myths appear in various cultures.
And these aren't just ancient stories. They reflect universal themes that remain relevant today.

(01:33):
So whether you're enjoying your coffee or your tea, if you're on your commute or taking a
leisurely walk, let's dive into these waters, haha, and explore how they mirror our fears,
hopes, and resilience. So why are floods such ubiquitous themes and myths? What makes water
so compelling? Water is one of nature's most powerful elements. It can nurture life, but

(01:57):
it can also bring total, utter destruction. Many flood myths start with chaos, with rising waters
consuming everything in their path. It's akin to the world hitting the reset button, and there's
profoundly captivating about that. Think about everything that's going on right now.

(02:18):
These floods typically erase the old ways of life, but simultaneously create a blank slate,
a chance to begin anew. It's a profound metaphor for hope. After the chaos, there's the opportunity
to rebuild. It's no wonder these stories have endured for centuries. They resonate deeply with
us, touching on our deepest fears while also showcasing our resilience. They remind us that

(02:41):
we can survive, and even thrive, after this storm. And there's always a survivor. But it's never some
random individual. These survivors are chosen for their wisdom, righteousness, or their connection
to something greater. Think of Noah in the Bible, or Utnapishtim in the Epic of Gilgamesh. These
figures aren't just lucky. They're the ones meant to carry life forward, giving humanity another

(03:04):
chance. It's as if the universe is saying, alrighty folks, here's your second shot. Let's make a count
this time. So let's compare several flood myths. First, we're going to take a look at the Epic of
Gilgamesh from ancient Mesopotamia, one of the oldest pieces of literature we possess.
Long ago in the land of Mesopotamia, the gods were displeased with humanity.

(03:26):
Who'da thunk? The god Enlil found their constant noise and clamor unbearable,
and decided to send a great flood to cleanse the earth. However, the wise god Ea had compassion
for humanity and sought to save one righteous man named Utnapishtim. One night, Ea appeared
to Utnapishtim in a dream and warned him of the impending catastrophe. Build a great ship,

(03:51):
Ea whispered, and gather your family, animals of all kinds, and seeds of every plant. For soon,
the floodwaters will rise and cover the earth. Utnapishtim heeded Ea's warning. He worked
tirelessly, constructing a massive vessel. As the floodwaters began to rise, Utnapishtim and his
family boarded the ship, bringing with them pairs of animals and seeds of all plants.

(04:15):
For seven days and seven nights, the flood raged, destroying everything in its path.
But Utnapishtim's ship remained safe, guided by the god Ea. Eventually, the floodwaters began
to recede. To find dry land, Utnapishtim released a dove, a swallow, and finally a raven.
The raven did not return, indicating that the waters had receded enough to reveal land.

(04:37):
Utnapishtim's ship came to rest on a mountain. Grateful for their survival, Utnapishtim and his
family offered sacrifices to the gods. Pleased with his obedience and piety, the gods granted
Utnapishtim and his wife immortality. Does that story sound a little familiar?
In the Bible, God decided to cleanse the earth of its wickedness by sending a great flood.

(05:00):
He instructed Noah to build a large ark, a massive wooden vessel that would protect his
family and pairs of every kind of animal during the flood. Noah followed God's instructions
meticulously, demonstrating his profound faith. As the rains began, Noah, his family,
and the animals entered the ark. For 40 days and 40 nights, the floodwaters covered the earth,

(05:21):
destroying all life outside the ark. Inside the ark, Noah and his family cared for the animals,
ensuring their survival. After the rains stopped, the waters gradually receded.
To determine if the land was dry, Noah released a dove. The dove returned with an olive branch,
signaling that the floodwaters had subsided and vegetation was growing again. Eventually,

(05:42):
the ark came to rest on Mount Ararat. God made a covenant with Noah, promising that such a flood
would never again destroy the earth. As a sign of this divine promise, God placed a rainbow in the
sky. This rainbow symbolized hope, renewal, and the enduring relationship between God and humanity.
In Hindu mythology, Manu was a wise and righteous man known for his devotion to the gods and his

(06:06):
virtuous nature. One day, while he was performing his daily rituals by the river, he found a small
fish that spoke to him, revealing itself to be the god Vishnu in disguise. The fish warned Manu
of an impending catastrophic flood that would soon engulf the world and destroy all life.
Vishnu instructed Manu to build a large boat strong enough to withstand the deluge and to

(06:28):
gather the seeds of all living plants and pairs of all animals to preserve life. Manu, trusting
Vishnu's guidance, diligently followed these instructions. He worked tirelessly to construct
the boat and collected the necessary seeds and animals to ensure the continuity of life.
He was accompanied by the seven sages, or Saptarishi, who provided spiritual strength

(06:50):
and wisdom during this critical time. As the floodwaters began to rise and cover the earth,
Manu made offerings of milk and ghee to the waters, seeking to appease the gods and ensure
the safety of those aboard. The boat, guided by Vishnu in the form of the fish, remained safe
and afloat. The rains continued for days, and the waters eventually covered even the highest

(07:12):
mountains. Inside the boat, Manu, the Saptarishi, and the animals were protected from the wrath of
the flood thanks to Vishnu's divine intervention. After many days, the floodwaters began to recede.
The fish guided Manu's boat to safety, and it finally came to rest on the peaks of the Himalayas.
Manu, filled with gratitude, offered prayers and thanks to Vishnu for his guidance and protection.

(07:35):
With the help of the seeds and animals he had saved, Manu began the task of repopulating the
earth. The Saptarishi assisted him in this endeavor, ensuring that the knowledge and sacred
traditions of humanity were preserved. They spread their wisdom and guided humanity to restore
balance and harmony to the world. In China, the Great Flood, also known as the Gun-Yu Myth,
is a significant part of ancient history. In ancient times, a devastating flood threatened

(07:58):
to engulf the land, bringing destruction and despair to its people. The emperor called upon
Gun, a renowned and resourceful leader, to save the land from the relentless waters.
Gun, determined to stop the flood, sought out a powerful solution. He discovered a magical soil
known as xírǎng, which had the ability to grow and expand on its own. Believing that this magical

(08:20):
soil would block the floodwaters, Gun stole it from the gods and began to build dikes and
embankments. Despite his best efforts, the floodwaters continued to rise, overwhelming
his defenses and causing further devastation. For nine long years, Gun struggled in vain to
contain the flood. His failure led to his eventual punishment by the gods, who took his life for his

(08:44):
transgression. However, Gun's spirit transformed into a yellow dragon, symbolizing his enduring
legacy. Gun's son, Yu, stepped forward to continue his father's mission. Unlike his father,
Yu sought a different approach. He understood that working against the natural flow of water was
futile. Futile? Futile? How do you say it? Instead, he chose to collaborate with nature, seeking

(09:08):
guidance from the gods and the wisdom of the land. Yu meticulously studied the behavior of the
floodwaters, observing their patterns and movements. He realized that the key to controlling the flood
was to guide the water rather than trying to block it. With the help of divine creatures and
the support of the people, Yu devised a plan to create a vast network of channels, rivers,

(09:29):
and irrigation systems that would effectively manage the flow of water. Yu and his followers
tirelessly dug channels and redirected the water, allowing it to flow into the sea. His approach
proved to be successful, and the floodwaters gradually receded, restoring balance to the land.
Yu's efforts not only saved the people but also transformed the landscape, making it fertile

(09:50):
and prosperous. Despite their geographical and cultural differences, these myths share common
threads. They reflect our shared humanity, our fears, our hopes, and our constant quest to
understand the forces that shape our lives. So could these myths be based on real events?
Scientists have explored this, and some theories are kind of interesting.

(10:13):
Consider the Black Sea Deluge Hypothesis, which proposes that an enormous flood occurred in the
Black Sea region thousands of years ago. Ancient communities living along the shores would have
witnessed their world rapidly submerged. Initially, it was believed that water levels rose dramatically
by 50 to 60 meters, inundating vast areas. However, in January 2009, research by scientists

(10:36):
at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of Bucharest indicated that the
actual rise in water levels was more modest, more around 5 to 10 meters, submerging approximately
2,000 square kilometers rather than the 70,000 originally believed. So, instead of covering half
the size of England, the water covered a little over the size of London. While significant, this

(11:02):
flood was not as catastrophic as once thought, but it still left a lasting impact on the collective
memory of those ancient societies. There isn't direct evidence of a specific flood in the
Himalayas that matches the timeline of Manu's story from Hindu mythology. However, the region is prone
to natural disasters like flash floods and landslides, especially during the monsoon season

(11:22):
when melting snow and heavy rains can cause sudden and destructive flooding. For example,
in February 2021, a landslide in the Indian Himalayas triggered a flash flood that caused
significant damage and loss of life. While modern events don't confirm the mythological flood,
they do show that the Himalayas are susceptible to powerful natural forces.

(11:43):
The Great Flood in China is said to have lasted for at least two generations, causing
massive population displacements and other disasters like storms and famine. According
to mythological and historical sources, it is traditionally dated to the 3rd millennium BCE
during the reign of Emperor Yao. Archaeological evidence suggests an outburst flood at

(12:03):
Jishi Gorge on the Yellow River around 1920 BCE might have inspired this myth.
Additionally, the Huang He or Yellow River has also been notorious for its devastating floods.
The most destructive of these occurred in 1931 when 34,000 square miles of land were
completely inundated and approximately 8,000 square miles more were partially flooded.

(12:26):
This catastrophic event left 80 million people homeless and caused between 850,000 to 4 million
deaths. The 1931 flood remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
There's also the idea of cultural exchange. Ancient people traveled and traded goods,
but also shared stories. Picture travelers gathered around a fire,

(12:48):
recounting tales of a great flood. Over time, the stories change, but the core message remains.
It's like the world's oldest game of telephone. Floods are deeply symbolic, too. They remind us
of nature's power and our own vulnerability. But here's a twist. Floods also symbolize renewal.
After the waters recede, the land is often more fertile. It's destruction that creates life.

(13:13):
Paradox is old as time. Even if we never pinpoint a specific flood event,
these myths reveal something profound about human nature. Floods are unpredictable and
unstoppable. They remind us how vulnerable we are, but they also showcase our resilience.
These stories highlight our ability to survive, adapt, and rebuild.
So why do these ancient stories still matter today? Well, with rising sea levels, hurricanes,

(13:38):
floods, and communities being displaced, these myths seem more relevant now than ever.
These myths bring us together, reminding us that we're all connected,
whether we see them as metaphors, spiritual lessons, or echoes of historical events,
they link us to something greater. They remind us that we're part of a vast,
interconnected web with each other and the planet. And even for those who don't take these stories

(14:03):
literally, they're powerful allegories about accountability, resilience, and survival.
They pose some big questions, like how do we handle chaos? What do we save when everything
is on the line? And when everything's inevitably washed away, how do we rebuild better?

(14:26):
Thank you for joining me on this episode of None But Curious. If you enjoyed this episode,
please subscribe, share it with a friend, or leave a review. And as always, stay curious
and keep finding the magic in the mundane.