Origin
Look up [[origin]] or [[origins]] in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. '''Origin''' may refer to: For other uses, see subsections below.Arts, entertainment, and media
Comics and graphic novels
In the realm of comics and graphic novels, "Origin" often refers to narratives exploring the beginnings of iconic characters, with several notable works bearing the title or focusing on foundational backstories. One prominent example is the Marvel miniseries Wolverine: Origin, which delves into the early life of the mutant known as Wolverine. Written by Paul Jenkins and illustrated by Andy Kubert, with contributions from editor Bill Jemas, the six-issue series was published by Marvel Comics from November 2001 to July 2002.[1][2] The story is set in late 19th-century Canada, chronicling the childhood of James Howlett, a frail boy from a wealthy family who discovers his mutant abilities—retractable bone claws and enhanced healing—after a traumatic family incident involving his father and groundskeeper Thomas Logan.[3] Accompanied by Rose O'Hara, his companion, James flees the estate, adopts the name Logan, and grapples with his emerging feral nature, including a period living among wolves and early encounters with his savage instincts.[4] The narrative culminates in Logan's first use of the alias "Wolverine" and foreshadows his later bonding with adamantium, though it stops short of the Weapon X program.[5] This miniseries provided a canonical, detailed backstory for the character, resolving long-standing ambiguities in Wolverine's lore and earning acclaim for its emotional depth and Kubert's dynamic artwork.[6] Marvel has also produced various one-shots and miniseries retelling Spider-Man's origins, emphasizing the character's transformation from Peter Parker to superhero. A key example is the 1998-1999 limited series Spider-Man: Chapter One by writer-artist John Byrne, a 13-issue reimagining that modernized the classic tale from Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) while staying faithful to core elements like the radioactive spider bite and Uncle Ben's death. Though not strictly from 2000, it influenced subsequent retellings, including elements in ongoing series like Sensational Spider-Man (1996-1998), where writer Todd Dezago and artist Mike Wieringo explored Parker's dual life amid the Clone Saga, blending origin flashbacks with contemporary adventures involving Ben Reilly as Spider-Man.[7] These works highlight Spider-Man's enduring theme of responsibility, with Parker's high school struggles, scientific curiosity, and tragic loss driving his heroism.[8] In manga, Origin (stylized as ORIGIN) stands out as a sci-fi thriller by writer and artist Boichi (real name Mu-jik Park), serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine from September 2016 to February 2019, spanning 10 volumes. Set in a dystopian Tokyo in 2048, connected to the northern hemisphere via the Eurasian Railroad, the story follows ORIGIN, a mysterious android programmed to protect humans from harm in a city overrun by crime and vice.[9] The plot intensifies when ORIGIN encounters Mai Kaido, a high school girl who possesses potent mind-control abilities, drawing her into conflicts with criminal syndicates and shadowy organizations like AEE.[10] As ORIGIN adopts disguises and exo-muscle armor to safeguard Mai while concealing his artificial nature, the narrative explores themes of humanity, emotion, and identity, with Mai's powers leading to brutal confrontations and moral dilemmas.[11] Boichi's detailed, high-contrast artwork amplifies the horror-thriller elements, blending visceral action with philosophical undertones about artificial life developing feelings.[12] The series concludes with revelations about ORIGIN's creators and Mai's role in a larger conspiracy, cementing its reputation for intense, character-driven sci-fi.[13]Films
Origin: Spirits of the Past (2006) is a Japanese animated science fiction film directed by Keiichi Sugiyama and produced by Gonzo. Set in a post-apocalyptic future 300 years after a global war devastated Earth, the story centers on Agito, a young resident of a domed human city, who awakens Toola, a girl preserved in cryogenic sleep from the pre-war era. As they navigate conflicts between humans seeking to reclaim the planet and a sentient forest that has overtaken the landscape, the film examines themes of environmental balance, technological hubris, and coexistence. Released on January 7, 2006, in Japan, it features voice acting by talents including Daisuke Namikawa as Agito and Ai Maeda as Toola, and was later distributed internationally with an English dub.[14][15] The Origin (2022) is a British prehistoric survival horror film written and directed by Andrew Cumming in his feature debut. Taking place approximately 45,000 years ago during the Paleolithic era, the narrative follows a small band of nomadic hunter-gatherers, led by Adem (Chuku Modu), who migrate to a lush but unfamiliar territory only to encounter an invisible, predatory force that preys on their vulnerabilities and fractures their group dynamics. Drawing on archaeological insights into early human migration and inter-group conflicts, the film emphasizes primal fears, language barriers, and the origins of violence through minimal dialogue and immersive sound design. It premiered at the 66th London Film Festival on October 6, 2022, and was released theatrically in the UK on February 9, 2024, by Vertigo Releasing, earning recognition for its atmospheric tension and visual authenticity.[16] Origin (2023) is an American biographical drama film written, directed, and produced by Ava DuVernay. The film portrays the life of journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), focusing on her research for her 2020 book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, amid personal tragedies including the deaths of her mother, husband, and cousin. Through a non-linear structure blending biography with historical vignettes, it investigates caste as an undercurrent of oppression, connecting the African American experience under Jim Crow laws, the Dalit struggle in India, and the Jewish persecution during the Holocaust. Supporting performances include Jon Bernthal as Brett Hamilton, Vera Farmiga as a German academic, and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Elizabeth Davis. Premiering at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2023, it received a limited U.S. theatrical release by Neon on December 8, 2023, and wide release on January 19, 2024, garnering praise for its intellectual depth and emotional resonance.[17][18][19]Television
Origin is an American science fiction horror drama television series created by Mika Watkins that premiered on YouTube Premium on November 14, 2018.[20] The single season consists of 10 episodes, following a group of diverse passengers who awaken from cryogenic sleep aboard the spaceship Origin, which is adrift and abandoned in deep space en route to the distant planet Thea.[21] Led by characters such as linguist Emma Ward (played by Natalia Tena) and troubled astrophysicist Logan (Tom Felton), the survivors grapple with interpersonal conflicts, hallucinatory visions tied to their traumatic pasts, and escalating threats from the ship's malfunctioning AI system, which begins systematically killing crew members.[22] The series explores themes of isolation, redemption, and human-AI antagonism, blending psychological thriller elements with space opera tropes, and was executive produced by Watkins alongside figures like David Oyelowo.[23] In addition to standalone series, the title "Origin" appears in episodic formats within established franchises, often delving into themes of genesis and discovery. For instance, the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Distant Origin" (season 3, episode 23, aired April 30, 1997) centers on a Voth scientist, Gegen, who uncovers evidence challenging his species' doctrine that they originated in the Delta Quadrant, proposing instead an evolutionary link to Earth's dinosaurs via fossilized Voyager crew remains.[24] This UPN broadcast episode, written by Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky, critiques scientific dogma and cultural suppression, featuring Commander Chakotay (Robert Beltran) as a key human counterpart in the narrative. Documentary programming has also utilized "Origin" to frame explorations of human beginnings. The BBC Two series Origins of Us (2011), a three-part production presented by anthropologist Alice Roberts, traces the evolutionary adaptations of the human body—from bipedalism and opposable thumbs to brain development—drawing on fossil evidence and biomechanical analysis to explain how these traits enabled Homo sapiens' dominance. Each 60-minute episode focuses on specific anatomical "innovations," such as the upright posture in the opener "Bones," emphasizing how environmental pressures over millions of years shaped modern physiology.Video games
Origin Systems, Inc. was an American video game developer founded on March 3, 1983, by Richard Garriott and his brother Robert in Houston, Texas, initially operating from their parents' garage before relocating to Austin in 1984.[25] The company became renowned for pioneering the role-playing game (RPG) genre through its Ultima series, starting with Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness (1981, published by California Pacific Computer before Origin's founding) and evolving into complex open-world experiences that emphasized player freedom, ethical decision-making, and persistent worlds.[26][27] Key innovations included Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (1985), which shifted focus from combat to virtue-based character development, influencing modern RPGs like The Elder Scrolls series by introducing moral alignment systems and non-linear quests.[28] Origin's motto, "We Create Worlds," reflected its commitment to immersive storytelling, with titles like Ultima VII: The Black Gate (1992) featuring dynamic NPC interactions and a living economy that responded to player actions.[29] The studio expanded beyond RPGs to space simulation with Wing Commander (1990), which popularized cinematic storytelling in gaming through full-motion video and branching narratives.[30] In September 1992, Electronic Arts acquired Origin for $35 million in stock, integrating it as a subsidiary while allowing creative autonomy until its closure in 2004 amid EA's restructuring.[27] Under EA, Origin released Ultima Online (1997), one of the first graphical MMORPGs, which attracted over 250,000 subscribers at its peak and established persistent online worlds as a genre staple.[26] Within the Ultima series developed by Origin Systems, "The Origin" refers to a central hub location in Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds (1993), serving as the Castle of the Avatar—a multi-level starting point from which players access interconnected parallel worlds via magical portals, facilitating exploration and quest progression in a first-person dungeon crawler format.[31] This design emphasized verticality and real-time combat, building on the immersive 3D environments introduced in Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss (1992), which influenced later titles like The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind.[32] In modern gaming, The Origin: Blind Maid (2020) is a first-person indie horror adventure developed by N4bK Games and published by 7Levels, available on platforms including Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.[33] Set in a rural Spanish village, the game explores themes of crime, atonement, and supernatural origins through puzzle-solving and survival mechanics, where players evade a blind maid entity while uncovering a narrative of evil's dawn via environmental storytelling and psychological tension.[34] Its atmospheric design, drawing from folklore-inspired horror, received praise for replayability with multiple endings based on player choices, though criticized for occasional technical issues in early releases.[33]Literature
In literature, works titled Origin span both nonfiction scientific treatises and fiction thrillers, often exploring themes of human beginnings, evolution, and technological frontiers.Nonfiction
On the Origin of Species is a seminal 1859 work by English naturalist Charles Darwin, presenting the theory of evolution by natural selection as the mechanism driving the diversity of life.[35] First published on November 24, 1859, by John Murray in London, the book drew from Darwin's observations during the HMS Beagle voyage and decades of research on variation in domestic species; it argued that species adapt over time through descent with modification, challenging prevailing views of fixed creation.[36] The initial edition sold out the first day of release, sparking immediate scientific and public debate, and Darwin revised it six times by 1872, incorporating new evidence and clarifying concepts like natural selection's role in speciation.[36] Its impact reshaped biology, influencing fields from genetics to ecology and establishing evolution as a foundational principle, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide across editions.[37]Fiction
Origin, a 2017 mystery thriller by American author Dan Brown, serves as the fifth installment in the Robert Langdon series, following Harvard symbologist Langdon as he uncovers a conspiracy surrounding a tech billionaire's revelation on humanity's future amid artificial intelligence and ancient art.[38] Published by Doubleday on October 3, 2017, the novel intertwines themes of science versus religion, with Langdon racing through Spain—from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to Barcelona's Sagrada Família—to prevent the suppression of futurist Edmond Kirsch's discovery that "will fundamentally change what we consider possible."[38] It debuted at number one on bestseller lists in over 35 countries, selling millions of copies and continuing Brown's signature blend of cryptography, history, and high-stakes pursuit.[38] Origin, a 2012 young adult science fiction novel by Jessica Khoury, follows Pia, a teenage girl genetically engineered for immortality and raised in isolation within a hidden Amazonian compound by scientists pursuing eternal life through advanced biotechnology. Published by Razorbill on September 4, 2012, the story explores ethical dilemmas of genetic manipulation as Pia ventures into the outside world, questioning her creators' motives and the boundaries between human and artificial origins. The book received praise for its fast-paced narrative and examination of bioethics, earning spots on lists like the Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List and contributing to discussions on genetic engineering in speculative fiction.[39]Music
Origin is an American technical death metal band formed in 1997 in Topeka, Kansas, by guitarists Paul Ryan and Jeremy Turner, both of whom also contribute vocals.[40] The band emerged from the local metal scene, drawing influences from brutal and progressive death metal acts, and quickly gained underground recognition for their complex song structures, blistering speed, and intricate instrumentation.[41] Origin's sound emphasizes relentless technical proficiency, with themes often exploring cosmic horror, misanthropy, and existential dread, setting them apart in the extreme metal landscape.[40] The band's debut self-titled album, Origin, released in 2000 via Relapse Records, marked their breakthrough after signing with the label following extensive touring with bands like Nile and Cryptopsy.[41] Produced by the band alongside Scott Hull, the album features 11 tracks showcasing their signature style, including the chaotic opener "Lethal Manipulation (The Bonecrusher Chronicles)" and the title track "Origin," which exemplifies their fusion of grindcore aggression and death metal precision. Clocking in at around 35 minutes, Origin received critical acclaim for its raw production and virtuosic performances, solidifying the band's reputation in technical death metal circles. Throughout their career, Origin has undergone several lineup changes while maintaining a core focus on extremity and innovation. Early members included drummer George "Fluke" Fluke (1997–1998), bassist Clint Appelhanz (1997–2001), and drummer John Longstreth (1998–2012, rejoining in 2019), whose contributions shaped the band's hyper-technical drumming style.[40] Vocalist Jason Hough fronted the group from 1997 to 2008, followed by a period with Paul Ryan handling primary vocals until Jason Keyser joined in 2011.[40] Bassist Mike Flores has been a staple since 2001, providing rhythmic anchor amid the sonic assault. The current lineup—Ryan (guitars, backing vocals), Turner (guitars), Keyser (vocals), Flores (bass, backing vocals), and Longstreth (drums)—has driven recent releases, including the 2022 album Chaosmos on Nuclear Blast Records.[41] Origin's discography spans eight studio albums, highlighting their evolution from grind-influenced brutality to more atmospheric and progressive elements. Notable releases include Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas (2002), featuring labyrinthine compositions like "Finite"; Echoes of Decimation (2005), known for its polished production; and Entity (2011), which experimented with cleaner vocal textures under Keyser.[40] Their 2008 album Antithesis, also on Relapse, represented a commercial peak, charting on Billboard's Heatseekers list and earning praise for tracks such as "The Aftermath" and "Antithesis," which balance ferocity with melodic hooks.[41] Later works like Omnipresent (2014) and Unparalleled Universe (2017) further refined their sound, incorporating sci-fi themes and dynamic shifts, while maintaining the band's commitment to technical excellence.[40]Brands and enterprises
Energy and resources
Origin Energy is an Australian integrated energy company founded in 2000 and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).[42] It operates across the energy value chain, including the retail supply of electricity and natural gas to approximately 4.7 million customer accounts, power generation with a portfolio of 7,600 MW (including 1,700 MW of owned and contracted renewables and storage), and upstream natural gas production through a 27.5% interest in the Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) joint venture.[43] The company has expanded its renewables focus, targeting 4-5 GW of renewables and storage capacity by 2030, with initiatives such as the 1,454 MW Origin Loop Virtual Power Plant, the 1 GW / 2,800 MWh Eraring battery project (under construction, with Stage 1/3 expected live in H2 FY2026), and power purchase agreements for over 1,475 MW of utility-scale solar since 2016.[43] Key milestones include the establishment of APLNG with a $24.5 billion investment, acquisitions like Country Energy and Integral Energy to grow its customer base, a 22.7% stake in UK-based Octopus Energy (originally acquired in 2019, restored in FY2023, and increased in 2024), and an accelerated exit from coal-fired power with the planned closure of Eraring Power Station by August 2027.[43] In FY2025, Origin Energy reported total revenue of AUD 17.2 billion, driven by strong contributions from APLNG (share of commodity revenue AUD 2.7 billion) and energy markets.[43] Origin Enterprises plc is an Irish agribusiness company established in 2006 as part of a restructuring by the IAWS Group, with roots tracing back to the Irish Agricultural Wholesale Society founded in 1897.[44] It specializes in providing technically led solutions for sustainable land use, including crop inputs such as agronomy services, soil nutrition, and value-added fertilizers, as well as animal feeds through legacy operations like R&H Hall (acquired in 1990).[44] The company operates across Europe (Ireland, UK, Poland, and Romania) and Latin America (Brazil). Operations in Ukraine were closed in FY2024.[45][46] Milestones include international expansion through acquisitions from 2008 to 2020 in the UK, Central Europe, and emerging markets; the launch of its Living Landscapes division in 2021 for diversified growth in amenity solutions, which now accounts for 18.4% of operating profit; and six acquisitions in FY2025, including Avian Ecology Ltd. and Elixir Garden Supplies; alongside ongoing investments in precision agriculture technologies to enhance sustainability.[46] In FY2025, group revenue reached €2.11 billion, reflecting operations in a challenging global agricultural environment.[46]Technology and manufacturing
Origin PC is an American custom computer manufacturer specializing in high-performance gaming and professional desktops and laptops. Founded in 2009 in Miami, Florida, by former Alienware executives Kevin Wasielewski, Richard Cary, and Hector Penton, the company emerged with a focus on returning to the "origins" of high-end PC building, emphasizing customization, quality components, and customer support.[47][48] Origin PC gained recognition for innovative designs, such as the 2010 "Big O" system—a massive, liquid-cooled rig that won a Guinness World Record for the largest PC—and for integrating advanced features like overclocking and premium aesthetics in its Neuron, Chronos, and Genesis series.[49] In July 2019, Corsair Components acquired Origin PC, allowing it to operate as a separate brand while leveraging Corsair's resources for expanded distribution and support; the acquisition valued the company at an undisclosed amount but strengthened its position in the enthusiast PC market.[50][51] Atos Origin was a multinational information technology services firm formed through the 2000 merger of French IT consultancy Atos and Dutch firm Origin B.V., creating a entity with pro forma 1999 revenues of €2.8 billion and a emphasis on end-to-end business solutions, e-business services, and systems integration. The company expanded rapidly via acquisitions, including KPMG Consulting's British and Dutch operations in 2002 and the U.S.-based Xchanging in 2005, positioning it as a leader in digital transformation for sectors like finance, telecommunications, and public services.[52] By 2010, Atos Origin had grown to annual revenues of approximately €5.5 billion and over 50,000 employees across 42 countries, focusing on outsourcing, consulting, and managed services to drive enterprise efficiency.[53] In 2011, following the €850 million acquisition of Siemens IT Solutions and Services, the company rebranded simply as Atos, dropping "Origin" to reflect its evolved scale and unified identity, with pro forma 2010 revenues reaching €8.7 billion.[54][55] Origin is a 3D printing technology company founded in 2015 in San Francisco, California, by software engineers Chris Prucha and Joel Ong, initially to address limitations in open-source additive manufacturing for end-use parts.[56][57] The firm developed the Origin One, a production-grade printer utilizing proprietary Programmable PhotoPolymerization (P3) technology, which enables high-speed, high-resolution printing up to 5 liters per hour with isotropic mechanical properties comparable to injection-molded parts, targeting mass customization in industries like consumer goods, automotive, and dentistry.[58][59] Origin's open materials ecosystem allows compatibility with third-party resins, fostering innovation and scalability for serial production. In December 2020, Stratasys announced its acquisition of Origin for up to $100 million in cash and stock, completed on December 31, 2020, to integrate P3 technology into Stratasys's portfolio and accelerate mass production additive manufacturing capabilities.[59][60]Consumer products
Origins is a skincare and cosmetics brand owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., launched in 1990 as the company's first line dedicated to natural ingredients and plant-powered formulations.[61] Founded by Leonard A. Lauder, son of Estée Lauder, the brand pioneered the use of clinically proven, earth-derived botanicals in prestige beauty products, emphasizing sustainability and efficacy without synthetic fragrances in many formulations.[62] Its core philosophy integrates plant science with advanced technology to address skin concerns like hydration, aging, and sensitivity, with iconic products such as the plantscription line featuring mega-potent Mega-Mushroom complex derived from reishi, chaga, and coprinus mushrooms.[63] A key highlight of Origins is its long-standing collaboration with integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Andrew Weil, launched in 2005 to bring wellness principles into skincare.[64] The "Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins" line focuses on anti-inflammatory, plant-based treatments for sensitive and irritated skin, incorporating adaptogenic ingredients like licorice root and micronized pearl powder to soothe redness and build resilience.[65] This partnership marked Origins as an early adopter of holistic beauty approaches, with products such as the Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Cream clinically shown to reduce visible irritation in as little as one hour.[66] In the automotive sector, the Toyota Origin is a limited-production luxury sedan introduced by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan in November 2000 to commemorate the company's 100 millionth vehicle milestone.[67] Built on the platform of the Toyota Progrès sedan and powered by a 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE inline-six engine producing 220 horsepower, the Origin blended retro styling inspired by the 1950s Toyopet Crown—featuring a chrome grille, suicide rear doors, and wraparound rear window—with modern amenities like a DVD-based navigation system and genuine leather upholstery.[68] Only 1,000 units were planned for production at Toyota's Tsutsumi plant, though approximately 1,073 were ultimately made available exclusively through Toyota dealerships in Japan at a starting price of around 4.8 million yen (about $45,000 USD at the time).[67] The model's unique design prioritized comfort and elegance, positioning it as a collector's item rather than a mass-market vehicle.Philosophy and religion
Philosophical concepts
In philosophy, the concept of origin often refers to the primordial cause or fundamental principle underlying existence and change. Aristotle, in his Metaphysics, identifies the archē (principle or origin) as the starting point for understanding reality, positing it as the first cause from which all things derive. He argues that wisdom involves investigating these primary causes (aitia) and principles (archai), distinguishing his approach from earlier pre-Socratic thinkers who sought a single material origin, such as water or air, by emphasizing a multifaceted causality including material, formal, efficient, and final causes. This Aristotelian framework establishes origin not merely as a temporal beginning but as an eternal, explanatory ground for being, influencing subsequent metaphysical inquiries into the nature of substance and potentiality.[69] Existential philosophy shifts the focus to the origin of being (Sein) in human existence, particularly through Martin Heidegger's analysis in Being and Time (1927). Heidegger critiques traditional metaphysics for overlooking the question of Being's origin, proposing instead that the meaning of Being emerges from Dasein—human being's temporal, thrown existence into the world. He traces the origin of Being to the forgotten primordial temporality of Dasein, where authentic existence confronts its finite beginning and end, revealing Being as an event (Ereignis) rather than a static substance. This existential origin underscores the historical and interpretive nature of being, challenging Cartesian dualism and urging a return to the pre-ontological understanding of origins in everyday lived experience.[70] Philosophical examinations of origin myths, particularly through structuralist lenses, view them as cognitive structures that resolve cultural contradictions about societal beginnings. Claude Lévi-Strauss, in his seminal essay "The Structural Study of Myth" (1955), analyzes myths—including those concerning origins—as binary oppositions (e.g., life/death, nature/culture) mediated by symbolic transformations, functioning like language to explain the emergence of order from chaos. He argues that origin myths do not narrate historical events but operate on a deeper level to reconcile irreconcilable elements in human thought, such as the transition from raw nature to cooked culture in Amerindian traditions. This approach treats myths as universal mental constructs, providing philosophical insight into how societies intellectually originate their foundational norms and identities.[71]Religious and mythological concepts
In religious and mythological traditions, the concept of origin often centers on divine acts of creation that establish the cosmos, humanity, and natural order, distinct from philosophical inquiries into causality. These narratives frequently portray origins as sacred events initiated by deities, emphasizing themes of sovereignty, chaos-to-order transformation, and existential purpose. The doctrine of creatio ex nihilo, meaning "creation out of nothing," is a foundational theological concept in Judaism and Christianity, asserting that God brought the universe into existence without pre-existing materials, space, or time. This idea emerges from interpretations of Genesis 1:1, where "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," implying an absolute origination rather than shaping from chaos or matter. In early Jewish thought, texts like 2 Maccabees 7:28 reinforce this by stating that God "made [the world] out of things that did not exist," influencing Palestinian Judaism's rejection of Platonic eternal matter. Early Christian writers, such as those in the second century, adopted and formalized this doctrine to counter Gnostic views of a flawed demiurge working with pre-existent substance. Augustine of Hippo elaborates on creatio ex nihilo in his Confessions (Book XII), arguing that creation is not from formless matter but from absolute nothingness, underscoring God's transcendent will as the sole cause and preventing any notion of divine dependency on prior elements. This doctrine unifies Augustine's theology, linking creation to human restlessness and the soul's orientation toward God.[72][73][74] Creation myths in various ancient cultures narrate the origins of the cosmos through divine conflicts or primordial acts, often contrasting with monotheistic doctrines by involving polytheistic pantheons and material precursors. The Babylonian Enuma Elish, an epic poem from the late second millennium BCE, depicts the god Marduk's rise to supremacy by slaying the chaos goddess Tiamat, using her divided body to form the heavens and earth, thus establishing cosmic order from primordial watery chaos. Composed on seven clay tablets and recited during the Akitu festival, this myth legitimizes Babylonian kingship and Marduk's temple in Babylon, blending theogony with cosmogony. In comparative terms, the Hindu Rigveda's Nasadiya Sukta (10.129), dated to around 1500–1200 BCE, offers a more contemplative origin account, pondering whether there was non-being or being in the beginning, with no clear creator deity; it describes a state of "one" that breathed without breath, culminating in uncertainty even among the gods about the universe's emergence from the "darkness wrapped in darkness." This hymn's agnostic tone highlights existential mystery, differing from the Enuma Elish's triumphant violence, yet both myths grapple with transitioning from undifferentiated void to structured reality.[75][76][77] Beyond grand cosmogonies, mythological origin stories—known as pourquoi tales in folklore—explain specific natural phenomena or cultural practices through etiological narratives, attributing them to divine or animal actions in primordial times. These tales, common in oral traditions worldwide, serve to impart moral lessons or cultural identity by resolving "why" questions about the world. For instance, in various Indigenous and European folklores, thunder originates from gods wielding hammers or battling giants; Norse mythology's Thor, with his hammer Mjölnir, causes thunder by striking it against foes, symbolizing protection against chaos and explaining stormy weather as echoes of divine combat. Such stories emphasize origins as purposeful interventions, reinforcing communal beliefs without exhaustive cosmic scope.[78]Science, technology, and mathematics
Biology and medicine
In biology, the concept of origin often refers to the evolutionary processes that gave rise to species and cellular structures, as articulated by Charles Darwin in his seminal 1859 work On the Origin of Species. Darwin argued that species arise through descent with modification, driven by natural selection acting on heritable variations within populations.[79] This mechanism posits that organisms produce more offspring than can survive, leading to a struggle for existence where individuals with advantageous traits—arising from natural variation—are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to subsequent generations and resulting in adaptation to environmental pressures over time.[80] Darwin's theory revolutionized biology by providing a naturalistic explanation for the diversity of life, emphasizing gradual change rather than sudden creation, and it remains the foundational framework for understanding speciation.[36] At the cellular level, the origin of complex eukaryotic cells is explained by the endosymbiotic theory, first comprehensively proposed by Lynn Margulis in her 1967 paper "On the Origin of Mitosing Cells." Margulis hypothesized that organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from free-living prokaryotes—specifically, aerobic bacteria for mitochondria—that were engulfed by a host cell and evolved into symbiotic partners, rather than developing de novo.[81] This symbiosis allowed the host to harness bacterial energy production, with mitochondria retaining bacterial-like features such as their own circular DNA, ribosomes, and double membranes, evidence that has since been corroborated by genetic and biochemical studies.[82] The theory underscores how cooperative interactions between organisms can drive major evolutionary innovations, transforming simple prokaryotic life into the more complex eukaryotic forms that dominate modern biology. In medicine, origins of diseases frequently trace back to zoonotic transmissions from animal reservoirs to humans, as exemplified by the 2019 emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. Genetic and epidemiological analyses indicate that the virus likely spilled over from wildlife traded at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China, where susceptible intermediate hosts such as raccoon dogs or civets may have facilitated adaptation to humans. This event highlights the risks of human encroachment on animal habitats and wildlife markets, with SARS-CoV-2's closest relatives found in bats, underscoring the role of such reservoirs in initiating global health crises. While zoonotic spillover is the leading hypothesis supported by most scientific evidence as of 2025, a laboratory-associated origin remains a possibility that has not been conclusively ruled out.[83][84] Understanding these zoonotic origins informs strategies for pandemic prevention, including surveillance of animal-human interfaces and regulation of high-risk trade practices.Computing and technology
In computing and technology, the concept of "origin" frequently refers to the reference point in coordinate systems used for graphics rendering and user interface design. In web development, particularly with HTML and CSS, the origin is defined as the top-left corner of the viewport or element, where the x-axis increases to the right and the y-axis increases downward, differing from the mathematical convention where the y-axis points upward.[85] This setup facilitates pixel-precise positioning in UI layouts; for instance, theposition: absolute property in CSS anchors elements relative to this origin, enabling developers to build responsive designs by calculating offsets from (0,0). Similarly, in SVG graphics, the coordinate system aligns its origin with the viewport's top-left, supporting scalable vector illustrations in web applications.
Data origin, often termed provenance, tracks the lineage and history of data within databases and workflows to ensure reproducibility, accountability, and trust. Provenance systems record how data is generated, transformed, and derived, addressing challenges in distributed environments like scientific computing or big data analytics. A seminal framework is the Open Provenance Model (OPM), introduced in 2008, which standardizes provenance as a directed graph of entities, activities, and agents, enabling interoperability across tools.[86] For example, in database management, OPM-inspired tools like ProvToolbox serialize provenance metadata in formats such as PROV-N, allowing queries to trace data back to its computational origins.[87] This approach has influenced standards like W3C PROV, enhancing data governance in sectors requiring auditability, such as finance and research.