The archetypal figure of cosmic man forms part of the creation myths of many cultures. Accordingly to Chinese legend the primordial being Pangu created the universe and, after death, every part of his body became a different physical part of Earth. In ancient Egypt the creator god Ptah brought universe into being with the power of speech. In some Jewish legends, Adam was created from dust from the four corners of the Earth, and, when bent down, his head was the East and his feet the West.
