Emanationism

Emanationism is a component in the cosmology of certain religious or philosophical systems that argue a Supreme Being did not directly create the physical universe, but instead emanated lower spiritual beings who created the world.

Emanationism is a key feature of:

• Platonism and Neoplatonism
• Gnosticism
• Mandaeanism
• Manicheanism
• Catharism
• Kabbalah

And, arguably Hinduism, Buddhism and ancient Egyptian religion.

Emanations are sometimes featured in speculative fiction as well (especially in fantasy fiction). Some examples include:

• the Ainur of the world of Middle-earth created by author J. R. R. Tolkien.