Flood Myth

Type: Concept

As of November 2026, Flood Myth has been mentioned in one podcast episode on Stuff You Should Know (Feb 2026). Central theme of the episode, discussing the prevalence and origins of flood myths across cultures.

A flood myth or a deluge myth is a narrative in which a great flood—usually sent by one or more deities—destroys civilization, typically as an act of divine retribution. Parallels are often drawn between the floodwaters of these myths and the primordial cosmic ocean that appears in certain creation myths, because the floodwaters are described as a means of social cleansing or purifying humanity of its corruption, for example, in preparation for rebirth. Most flood myths also feature a culture he