Animal Quote by E. Cobham Brewer
“The elephant which supports the world is called Muha-pudma, and the the tortoise which supports the elephant is called Chukwa. In some of the Eastern mythologies we are told that the world stands on the backs of eight elephants, called Achtequed-jams.”
About This Quote
Source Mythology: Eastern cosmology folklore, various oral traditions
The myth describes a layered world‑support system where elephants and a tortoise bear the planet, illustrating how cultures personify natural order.
In simple terms: World rests on animals in myth.
Consider the symbolic foundations of your worldview.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- storytelling
- education
- cultural studies
- environmental philosophy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this myth reveal about how societies explain nature?
- How might such symbols influence modern environmental attitudes?
Myths may oversimplify complex scientific realities.