Cosmology of Religions is the study of the Origins of the Cosmos, in the light of a specific tradition. Every religion holds its unique Cosmology, which holds the essence of the creation and the process through which it evolved. Hence, although this study refers to the creation of the universe, it encompasses a lot more than that. It provides an origin to all that exists and lead us towards the formation of cosmos which includes the hierarchy that connects the celestial with terrestrial. As this hierarchical order makes an elaborate series of interpretation, it took the form of story; the sacred, symbolic narratives about the beginnings of the cosmos which elaborate the design and the deeds of the supernatural beings who caused the universe. [i]
Each creation myth/story is unique in its own way but the pattern of events occurring in each creation myth is pretty redundant. It involves an Ex-Nihilo [ii] who is all-knowing, all-powerful Being which existed prior to everything. Than there is a Primordial Chaos or Primordial Waters which are often referred as the energy that gave birth to the Creation. Some traditions embody this primordial energy as A thought, A Word, An Animal, or An Egg.
In conclusion, Cosmology of Religions structures a pattern which connects microcosm with the macrocosm. It assists the societies in maintaining a worldview. Thus, Cosmology forms the essential theory on which universal religions are formed.
[i] Eliade, Mircea. Myth and Reality. Harper & Row:1963.
[ii] A Latin phrase which describes “creation out of Nothing”.