What is the flood myth of Manu in Hinduism?

In Hindu mythology, Manu was warned by the god Vishnu in his fish avatar, Matsya, about a great flood. Manu built a boat and, along with the seven sages, seeds, and animals, survived the deluge. Matsya guided them to safety, ensuring the rebirth of life on earth.

How is Noah’s flood story different from Manu’s?

Both Manu and Noah survive divine floods, but in Noah’s story, God commands him to build an ark and save pairs of animals. Manu’s survival is guided by Vishnu as Matsya. Noah’s story emphasizes divine covenant, while Manu’s emphasizes cosmic cycles and dharma.

Who survived the Greek flood myth?

In Greek mythology, Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha survived the flood sent by Zeus. After the waters receded, they repopulated the world by throwing stones, which transformed into humans.

What do flood myths symbolize across cultures?

Flood myths symbolize destruction and renewal, cleansing of corruption, and the rebirth of humanity. They highlight divine justice, human survival, and the importance of righteousness and faith.

Greek Mythology

Flood Myths Across Cultures: Manu, Noah, and Deucalion

Updated On Sep 9, 2025 10 min Read

Table of Contents

Across cultures and civilizations, one story rises above the rest — the tale of a great flood that wipes out the world and forces humanity to begin anew. From the Indian legend of Manu, to the Biblical tale of Noah’s Ark, and the Greek account of Deucalion, these myths share striking similarities, yet carry unique lessons shaped by their cultures.

Are these merely stories, or echoes of a memory shared by humanity’s earliest ancestors? Let’s journey across continents and millennia to uncover the flood myths that still ripple through human imagination.

🌊 Manu and the Great Flood (Indian Mythology)

In the ancient Shatapatha Brahmana and the Puranas, the story begins with Manu, the progenitor of mankind.

One day, while performing his daily ablutions in a river, Manu rescued a tiny fish. The fish pleaded:
“Protect me now, and I shall save you when the flood comes to destroy the world.”

Manu nurtured the fish, which grew into the colossal Matsya — the fish incarnation of Vishnu. The god warned Manu of a deluge destined to submerge the earth.

When the floodwaters rose, Manu boarded a great boat with the Saptarishis (seven sages), seeds of all plants, and animals to repopulate the world. Matsya towed the boat safely across the raging waters to the Himalayas.

Thus, humanity was reborn, carrying forward the essence of creation.

Symbolism:

Faith in divine guidance.
Renewal and rebirth after destruction.
Dharma (righteousness) as the foundation for survival.

🌊 Noah’s Ark (Abrahamic Traditions)

In the Book of Genesis, mankind had strayed from the path of righteousness, filling the world with corruption and violence.

God chose Noah, a man of faith, to preserve life. He commanded Noah to build an ark and gather his family, along with pairs of every animal species.

When the heavens poured rain for forty days and nights, the ark rose above the drowned world. After months adrift, the ark rested on Mount Ararat. A dove, sent out by Noah, returned with an olive branch — a sign of new life.

The flood ended, and God made a covenant with Noah, marked by a rainbow, promising never again to destroy the earth by flood.

Symbolism:

Obedience to divine will.
The ark as a sanctuary of faith and hope.
The rainbow as a covenant of mercy.

🌊 Deucalion and Pyrrha (Greek Mythology)

In Greek lore, the gods, angered by human wickedness, resolved to cleanse the world. Zeus unleashed a great flood, sparing only Deucalion, son of Prometheus, and his wife Pyrrha.

Guided by Prometheus, the couple built a chest (ark-like vessel) and survived as the waters covered Greece. When the flood receded, they landed on Mount Parnassus.

Seeking to repopulate the world, they received an oracle: “Throw the bones of your mother over your shoulder.”

Realizing “mother” meant Mother Earth, they cast stones behind them. Stones thrown by Deucalion became men, and those by Pyrrha became women. Thus, humanity was born anew from the bones of Gaia.

Symbolism:

Human resilience guided by divine wisdom.
Renewal not just of life, but of harmony with the earth.
A reminder that humanity is born of the soil.

🌍 Common Threads Across Flood Myths

Despite cultural differences, these myths echo similar themes:

Divine Warning: A chosen one (Manu, Noah, Deucalion) is warned of destruction.
A Vessel of Survival: Boat, ark, or chest preserves life.
Moral Renewal: Humanity is given a fresh start after corruption.
Sacred Covenant: Survival is tied to divine order and human responsibility.
Mountain of Hope: Himalayas, Ararat, and Parnassus all symbolize new beginnings.

🔮 Deeper Interpretations

Psychological: The flood represents the unconscious, washing away the old self to give birth to transformation.
Cultural Memory: Some scholars link these myths to memories of ancient floods (like the Mesopotamian deluge in Gilgamesh).
Spiritual: Renewal through destruction — a cosmic reset where only the righteous survive.

Legacy and Influence

Manu’s tale forms the basis of cosmic cycles in Hinduism — creation, preservation, destruction, and rebirth.
Noah’s story is foundational in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, symbolizing divine justice and mercy.
Deucalion’s flood influenced later Greek literature, connecting mythology with natural disasters.

Even today, these stories shape rituals, festivals, and moral lessons, reminding us that humanity’s survival is not just physical, but moral and spiritual.

Conclusion

Whether in India, the Middle East, or Greece, flood myths echo humanity’s deepest fears and highest hopes. They remind us that even in destruction lies the seed of renewal, and that faith, wisdom, and humility are the true vessels that carry humanity through the storms of existence.

The flood unites cultures — whispering a timeless truth: when the waters rise, righteousness must be our ark.