Allegorical interpretations of Genesis
Allegorical interpretations of Genesis are readings of the biblical Book of Genesis that treat elements of the narrative as symbols or types, rather than viewing them literally as recording historical events. Either way, Judaism and most sects of Christianity treat Genesis as canonical scripture, and believers generally regard it as having spiritual significance.
Adam and Eve, by Albrecht Dürer (1507).
Augustine of Hippo
Genesis creation narrative
The Genesis creation narrative is the creation myth of both Judaism and Christianity. The narrative is made up of two stories, roughly equivalent to the first two chapters of the Book of Genesis. In the first, Elohim creates the heavens and the Earth in six days, then rests on, blesses, and sanctifies the seventh. In the second story God creates Adam, the first man, from dust and places him in the Garden of Eden. There he is given dominion over the animals. Eve, the first woman, is created from Adam's rib as his companion.
Cuneiform tablet with the Atra-Hasis Epic in the British Museum
Marduk, god of Babylon, destroying Tiamat, the dragon of primeval chaos
The Ancient of Days by William Blake (Copy D, 1794)
The first day of creation, by Jean Colombe from the Heures de Louis de Laval [fr] (see Louis de Laval)