The answer is: Altar

Gen 8:20

After emerging from the ark, Noah immediately turned his thoughts to worship by building an altar, a significant act that demonstrates gratitude and reverence. This isn’t just the sequel to a dramatic adventure; it's a powerful reset button for humanity and the world after the great deluge. Sparking a trend in human behavior after calamity, Noah prioritizes connecting to the Divine, marking an astute understanding of the need for spiritual renewal.

Here’s a fun tidbit: altars are important markers throughout biblical history. In the scriptures, altars are used to offer not just livestock but also grain and even incense—a symbol of communication with the divine. They highlight the evolving relationship between humans and the divine presence that many believed dwelt nearby.

Now, if we think more broadly, this moment relates to classic themes in literature: survival, new beginnings, and human connection to nature. The doves, floods, and rainbows echo throughout literature and art, showing how this ancient story still resonates in human culture today. It reinforces community values of partnership with our environment.

Interestingly, this scene is one of the earliest acts following a monumental disaster, setting a pattern where many cultures have captured the need for a ritual or a customary act of thanksgiving after overcoming hardships and calamities. So, Noah's building of an altar wasn’t just a personal act— it signaled a fresh start for humanity’s spiritual path.