The Aztecs believed that in the beginning, there was nothing, just an empty void, waiting to be filled. Then, when the oldest of all gods was created, and he/she stepped into the void, he/she created all opposites, like night and day, and life and death. The world was considered to be no more than an extensive disc, surrounded by water on the back of the god Cipactli, who was a serpent and there was considered to be 13 heavens.
There are also legends that the earth was destroyed and reborn four times, but some Aztecs questioned this theory and was regarded by some as impossible to understand and was later disbanded. The Aztecs believed that there were five cycles of the universe with the final stage being fifth sun and then the world would plunge into eternal darkness. They thought it impossible to stop the inevitable, but tried to slow it down, hence the many human sacrifices that th Aztecs made famous.
The sun was considered to be a warrior of light that was trying to fight the darkness threatening to consume the universe. They thought it was their responsibility to help the sun in its quest to slow down the inevitable destruction of their world by the darkness.
ABORIGINAL UNIVERSAL BELIEFS
The Australian Aboriginals had a simple belief on the creation of the universe. They believed that the world was dreamed into existence by all powerful supernatural beings. When these supernatural beings came into existence, the world began.
The world was considered to be flat and there were unknown creatures lying asleep just below the surface of the earth. They believed that these super naturals broke through the crust of the earth along with the sun, removing the shroud of darkness surrounding it. Then when the super naturals became tired, they went back into a state of sleep.
When some die, it is believed they turn into rocks and trees. These rocks and trees have since remained untainted and are considered to be places of great spiritual power.
