11 Ancient Apocalyptic Myths

The Hopi in North America believe that the world is cyclical and has succumbed to catastrophes three times before due to people's disregard for the planet and its creator. So we are in the Fourth World at the moment. The first time the world ended due to fire, the second time it was because of ice, and the third time a flood caused it.

In 1958, White Feather, a Hopi spiritual leader of the Bear clan, revealed the "Nine Signs" of the end of the Fourth World, knowledge that had been passed down from his ancestors.

The signs were that white-skinned people with thunder sticks would take their land, spinning wheels with voices and long-horned, buffalo-like creatures would appear, iron snakes would spread, a huge spiderweb would cover the country, stone rivers creating mirages would cover Hopi-land, the sea would turn black and all life in it would die, long-haired people would go to Hopi-land to learn their traditions, and a blue star would fall from the sky with a spirit messenger who would take off his mask during a sacred dance ending all Hopi traditional practices.

Following these signs the world would end in a series of calamities, such as earthquakes, floods, and famine. Yet those living on Hopi-land would be safe and see the rebirth of the Fifth World.