flood myth

A flood myth is a story, found in many cultures, of a catastrophic deluge sent by divine forces to destroy civilization, typically with a few survivors who repopulate the earth.

The biblical story of Noah's Ark is the most familiar example in Western culture, but similar narratives appear in Mesopotamian, Greek, Hindu, and indigenous traditions worldwide: Nearly every ancient civilization has some version of a flood myth.

Scholars debate whether these stories reflect actual prehistoric floods or represent universal themes of punishment and renewal.