Who Was the First God? – A Deep Dive into Ancient Beliefs and the Origins of Divinity

Who Was the First God? – A Deep Dive into Ancient Beliefs and the Origins of Divinity

From time immemorial, humanity has looked to the skies, the stars, and the soul for meaning. One of the most enduring questions we’ve asked through the ages is simple yet profound: Who was the first god? While the answer may vary depending on religion, culture, and mythology, exploring the concept of the “first god” offers us a fascinating window into human history, spirituality, and belief systems.

Let’s break it down in a friendly, easy-to-follow way — and uncover how different civilisations have imagined the very beginning of divine power.

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🌍 In Sumerian Mythology: Anu, the Sky Father

Anu is often considered the first god in recorded history.
The Sumerians, one of the world’s earliest civilisations, believed Anu (also known as An) was the original deity — the god of the sky and the supreme ruler of the heavens. He was the head of the Anunnaki, a group of deities who played key roles in Mesopotamian religion.

SEO Tip: The oldest god in history, Anu, symbolises the beginning of divine kingship and heavenly authority in ancient Mesopotamian religion.

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🐍 In Egyptian Belief: Atum, the Self-Created One

Atum represents the concept of divine self-creation.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, Atum is often regarded as the first god who emerged from the chaotic waters of Nun (the primordial void). He created himself and then birthed other gods through a process of divine emanation. Atum symbolises completeness and unity.

SEO Tip: Atum is central to the Egyptian creation myth, embodying the idea of a self-generated god who initiates the divine order.

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🔥 In Hinduism: Brahman, the Eternal Supreme Reality

Brahman is not just the first god — it is everything.
In Hindu philosophy, the concept of Brahman transcends the idea of a single god. It is the formless, eternal, all-encompassing reality from which all gods and existence emerge. While Hinduism has many deities (like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), Brahman is considered the ultimate source.

SEO Tip: In Hinduism, Brahman is the eternal origin of all things — not just the first god but the very fabric of the universe.

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🌫 In Greek Mythology: Chaos, the Primordial Void

Before the gods, there was Chaos.
Greek mythology doesn’t begin with a single deity but with Chaos — the empty, dark nothingness from which everything arose. From Chaos came Gaia (Earth), Tartarus (Underworld), and Eros (Love). Gaia is often seen as the first divine figure who shaped the world.

SEO Tip: In Greek creation myths, Chaos is the primordial force, with Gaia emerging as the first goddess to give structure to the cosmos.

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🌌 In Norse Mythology: Ymir, the First Being

The gods came after Ymir, the primeval giant.
In Norse cosmology, Ymir wasn’t a god per se but the first living being, formed from ice and fire. The gods Odin, Vili, and Ve later killed Ymir to create the world from his body. The first actual god-like entities are Búri and his son Borr, ancestors of Odin.

SEO Tip: Ymir represents the raw beginnings of life in Norse mythology, while Odin’s lineage introduces the pantheon of gods.

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🌕 In Chinese Mythology: Pangu, the Cosmic Giant

Pangu is credited with crafting the universe.
According to Chinese folklore, the universe was once a cosmic egg containing chaos. Pangu, a divine giant, was born inside and split the egg open to form the sky and earth. After his death, his body transformed into natural elements, making him a foundational figure in Chinese cosmology.

SEO Tip: Pangu is often revered as the first god in Chinese mythology — the creator who shaped heaven and earth from primordial chaos.

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🌀 In Indigenous Beliefs: The Great Spirit

Many Indigenous cultures believe in a first creator spirit.
In various Native American traditions, the Great Spirit or Creator is seen as the original divine force — the one who breathes life into the world. This god is not always personified but is deeply respected as the beginning of all things, guiding creation with wisdom.

SEO Tip: The Great Spirit is a common figure in Indigenous cosmology, seen as the first god or force behind the natural and spiritual world.

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💫 In Abrahamic Faiths: God as the Eternal Creator

The monotheistic view of a single, all-powerful God.
In Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, God is not just the first but the only eternal being. Described as the Creator of heaven and earth, God exists outside time and space and has no beginning. This belief underscores the idea of a timeless, uncreated deity who always was.

SEO Tip: In Abrahamic religions, God is the eternal creator — not born or made, but the divine origin of all creation.

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🧭 Final Thoughts: One Question, Many Answers

The question of “Who was the first god?” doesn’t have just one answer — and that’s what makes it so fascinating. Each civilisation and culture shaped its understanding of divinity based on its environment, language, values, and worldviews.

Some imagined a sky father, others a self-born creator, and some even described abstract forces like chaos or spirit. But all these stories reflect our shared human need to explain existence, purpose, and our place in the universe.

No matter the name — Anu, Atum, Brahman, or the Great Spirit — the first god represents our timeless search for meaning.