MYTHS 



The myths of the Iroquoian peoples deal with three great mythic 

 cosmic periods. A race of gigantic anthropic beings dwelt in the 

 first — man-beings, let them be called — more ancient, and possessed 

 of more potent orenda^ than man, and though possessed with 

 superior ability to perform the great elemental functions, character- 

 izing differently the things represented by them, nevertheless 

 they had the form, mien, and mind of man, their creator, for 

 unconsciously man did create the gods, the great primal beings of 

 cosmic time, the controllers or directors or impersonators of the 

 objects and phenomena of nature, in his own image. To these man- 

 beings, therefore, were unconsciously imputed the thought, manners, 

 customs, habits, and social organization of man, their creator. 

 Notwithstanding this fact, man regarded these beings as uncreated, 

 eternal, and immortal; for by a curious paradox man, mistaking his 

 own mental functions, his metaphors, for realities, explained his own 

 existence, his wisdom, and his activities as the divine product of 

 the creations of his own inchoate mind. The dwelling place of these 

 first great primal beings, which was characterized by flora and fauna, 

 respectively, identical with the plant and animal life appearing later 

 on the earth, was conceived to have been on the upper surface of 

 the visible sky, which was regarded as a solid plane. Here dwelt 

 these first beings in peace and contentment for a very long period of 

 time ; no one knows or ever knew the length of this first cosmic period 

 of tranquil existence. But the time came when an event occurred 

 which resulted in a metamorphosis in the state and aspect of celes- 

 tial and earthly things; in fact, the seeming had to become or to 

 assume the real, and so came to pass the cataclysmic change of things 

 of the first period into that now seen on the earth and in the sky, and 

 the close of this period of strife and turmoil was the dawn of the gods 

 of these myths. Into the sunless and moonless skyland, lighted 

 only by the snowy white flowers of the great tree of light, standing 

 high near the lodge of De'hao°'hweiidjiawa"kho'" ("He the Earth- 

 holder "), the presiding chief of that realm, jealousy crept. This 

 chief, reputed to be invincible to sorcery, took a young wife by 

 betrothal in fulfillment of a vision of his soul. The name of the 

 young woman was Awe^'ha'i', "Mature Flowers," or "Mature 

 (i. e., fertile) Earth." Through the crafty machinations of the 

 Fire Dragon of the White Body, the consuming jealousy of the aged 

 presiding chief was kindled against his young spouse. Unfortu- 



See note on p. 608. 

 464 



