Question
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.
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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.
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.