North American Myths: Tricksters

     The "trickster" archetype is one that has come to influence many factions of modern culture. While these stories may have started the Trickster is an archetype that is, true it's name, always creating chaos or playing tricks. While these myths were somewhat devious, myths like the Raven were sometimes viewed as a creator or fellow God. When reading about the trickster archetype, what instantly resonated in my mind was the fact that these types of characters have filtered into popular film and literature, most notably in my mind is "Puck" from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
     The character of Puck is one of the fairies in the story who controls and manipulates the human characters and laughs at their expense. While this is not an exact mirror of the Raven character, there are solid similarities. The Raven masks himself in front of man, and guides them throughout their development. While Puck does seem to be a bit of comedic relief and can at times not seem as integral character, he plays a large role in the fate of the main characters, as does the Raven to mankind.

Animals in Myth

photo credit: www.pxleyes.com

      In the story of Cagn and his daughter joining the snakes, I believe the "snakes" are metaphorical for mankind with underhanded motives. Cagn becomes worried about his daughter fraternizing with them, and sends Cogaz in after her. Similarly, the baboons that Cogaz encounters are meant, I think, to be uncivilized humans. They believe that Cagn is insulting them, and proceed to Cogaz and rejoice in his victory. Both groups are meant to represent other groups, possibility of a different nationality, that are different from Cagn and his family. The "snakes" clearly succeed in their cunning intentions by drawing Cagn's daughter to them, and the "baboons" clearly get Cogaz and Cagn worked up.

     The use of animals to represent these other people is a definite use of metaphor. Also, the male centered god is overwhelmingly apparent in this myth, most obviously in the the form of Cagn as the creator of all animals, creatures, etc. Race is also arguably a concept, presented by the "snakes" and "baboons". 

photo credit: deviantart.net

      If I could choose an animal to base a creation myth on, it would feature the tiger. These wild jungle cats are strong, fearsome, and absolutely beautiful. When simply laying in the grass or sunning themselves, the tiger is such a regal animal to see. However, more incredible is how they hunt. They can leap, pounce, chase and capture almost any sort of prey. While the lion is more commonly considered "the King of the jungle," there is a similar power and prowess associated with tigers that I would choose to use as one of the important leaders in my creation myth.

Creativity of God

     The thought that everything and everyone was created by God is an idea that many cultures subscribe too. In Sura XVI, from the Koran, Mohammed warns his people to worship Allah and no other "Gods." His claim is that the other deities "create nothing, but are themselves created." Clearly it is important to Mohammed that his God Allah has created the universe and all the beings that reside in it. He goes on to say that not only is everyone and everything created by God, but every person is guided by the things that have been put onto the planet. From food to eat, water to drink, land to farm, he states: "And he hath thrown firm mountains on the earth, lest it move with you; and rivers and paths for your guidance. And way marks. By the stars too are men guided." In this context, what makes a "god" a God is his ability to create beings and a sustainability for those beings.
     In these modern times, spirituality and creativity are inarguably linked for many artists of all kinds. At every award ceremony, be it the Oscar's, Grammy's or anything of that nature, acceptance speeches very often mention thanks to God or Jesus. Many of these individuals are thanking God for the masses appreciating their art, but more often the people are thankful for their ability to create art. This can also be carried into schools, when students silently thank God for an "A" on a term paper or creative project.
    The image above is one that I believe brilliantly represents this idea of creativity linked to a higher being. The person, their eyes blindfolded, relies on what is in their mind to create an idea. While waiting for inspiration to strike, the person is silently asking God to inspire them. As different images and ideas swirl around in their mind, the beginning of a new idea begins to form. The person now believes that whatever ideas or images developed in their mind have been provided by God.