Underworld

The underworld, also known as the netherworld or hell, is the supernatural world of the dead in many religious traditions and myths, located below the world of the living. It is a place where people believed the souls of the dead went after they passed away. The word "chthonic" is used to describe things related to the underworld.

Almost every civilization has had some idea of an underworld, and the concept may be as old as humanity itself. Many stories tell of living people making journeys to the underworld for important reasons. These journeys often had a heroic purpose. In some myths, souls needed special ceremonies to enter the underworld properly. For example, in ancient Greece, the spirit of Patroclus appeared to Achilles until his body was buried correctly.

In many traditions, the dead had to travel to the underworld, often crossing a lake or river to get there. This idea appears in both ancient and modern art. The journey to the underworld has been very important in literature, especially for authors from the Modernist period.

By religion

This list shows places where people believed the dead go in different religions, with links to learn more about each one.

Underworld figures

This list shows important rulers or guardians of the underworld from different religious traditions, with links to learn more about each one.