Flood mythology

Flood mythology refers to stories across various cultures that describe a great deluge, often sent by divine forces, as a means of cleansing or punishing humanity. These myths often depict a hero or survivor who rebuilds civilization afterward. Common themes include a universe-ending flood, a chosen few spared by divine intervention, and parallels to historical flood events. Examples include the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, the Biblical story of Noah, and flood myths in Hindu, Greek, and indigenous traditions, highlighting a shared human tendency to explain natural disasters and moral lessons through these powerful, transformative stories.