A
flood myth or
deluge myth is a narrative in which a great
flood, usually sent by a
deity or deities, destroys
civilization, often in an act of
divine retribution. Parallels are often drawn between the flood waters of these
myths and the primeval waters found in certain
creation myths, as the flood waters are described as a measure for the cleansing of humanity, in preparation for rebirth. Most flood myths also contain a
culture hero, who "represents the human craving for life".