There are 9 central narrative panels from Genesis on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
These rectangular scenes form the visual and theological spine of Michelangelo’s design. They begin with the Separation of Light from Darkness and continue through the Creation of the Sun, Moon and Plants, the Separation of Land and Water, the Creation of Adam, the Creation of Eve, and the Fall and Expulsion from Paradise.
The final three panels tell episodes from Noah’s story: the Sacrifice of Noah, the Great Flood and the Drunkenness of Noah. Viewed from the chapel’s altar toward the entrance, the sequence moves from Creation toward humanity’s fall and the catastrophe of the Flood. Michelangelo actually painted the narrative in reverse chronological order, beginning at the west end with Noah’s scenes and progressing toward the altar.
The nine panels are surrounded by prophets, sibyls, ignudi, medallions and architectural details, so visitors sometimes overcount the central stories. The Creation of Adam is only one of the nine; the surrounding figures are separate parts of the larger decorative and symbolic program.