Emanationism is a component in the cosmology of certain religious or philosophical belief systems that claim that the supreme god did not create the physical universe, but instead emanated lower spiritual beings who consequently carried out the actual work.

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.