Underworld 84369 224882843 2008-07-10T20:51:03Z 68.161.57.163 {{otheruses}} {{Hell}} {{TOCright}} In the study of [[mythology]] and [[religion]], the '''underworld''' (gr: ''κάτω κόσμος'') is a generic term approximately equivalent to the lay term [[afterlife]], referring to any place to which newly [[the dead|dead]] souls go. In most cultures the term refers to a neutral or [[dystopic]] [[Realm of the dead|realm]] of the afterlife, instead of a [[Heaven|heavenly]] one. Sometimes the underworld is identified as "[[Hell]]" because Hell was thought to be under the Earth. {{see also|descent to the underworld|psychopomp}} {| class="wikitable" |- |[[Aztec mythology]] |[[Mictlan]] |- |[[Babylonian mythology]] |[[Kurnugia]] |- |[[Buddhist mythology]] |[[Naraka (Buddhism)|Naraka]] (also Niraya) |- |[[Celtic mythology]] |[[Annwn]], [[Mag Mell]] |- |[[Chinese mythology]] |[[Diyu]] (地獄) |- |[[Christianity]] |[[Hades in Christianity|Hades]], [[Hell in Christian beliefs|Hell]], [[Limbo]], [[Paradise]], [[Purgatory]], [[Devil]] |- |[[Egyptian mythology]] |[[Aaru]], [[Anubis]], [[Duat]], [[Neter-khertet]] |- |[[Estonian mythology]] |[[Estonian mythology|Toonela]] |- |[[Fijian mythology]] |see Melanesian mythology. |- |[[Finnish mythology]] |[[Tuonela]] |- |[[Greek mythology]] |{{main|Greek underworld}} [[Elysium]], [[Asphodel Meadows]], [[Hades]], [[Tartarus]] |- |[[Hebrew Bible]] |[[Sheol]], [[Gehenna]] |- |[[Hindu mythology]] |[[Amaravati]], [[Bhogavati]], [[Naraka]], [[Soma]], [[Svarga]], [[Patal]] |- |[[Inca mythology]] |[[Uku Pacha]] |- |[[Inuit mythology]] |[[Adlivun]] |- |[[Islamic mythology]] |[[Jahannam]], [[Narr]], [[Jannah]], [[Barzakh]], [[Araf]] |- |[[Japanese mythology]] |[[Yomi]], [[Jigoku]] |- |[[Latvian mythology]] |[[Aizsaule]] |- |[[Maori mythology]] |[[Hawaiki]] |- |[[Mapuche mythology]] |[[Pellumawida]], [[Degin]], [[Wenuleufu]], [[Ngullchenmaiwe]] |- |[[Mayan mythology]] |[[Metnal]], [[Xibalba]] |- |[[Melanesian mythology]] |(includes Fijian) [[Bulu]], [[Burotu]], [[Murimuria]], [[Nabangatai]], [[Tuma]] |- |[[Norse mythology]] |[[Gimlé]], [[Hel (realm)|Hel]], [[Niflheim]], [[Valhalla]], [[Vingólf]] |- |[[Oromo]] mythology |[[Ekera]] |- |[[Philippine mythology]] |[[Kasanaan]], [[Empiyerno]] |- |[[Polynesian mythology]] |[[Avaiki]], [[Bulotu]], [[Iva (mythology)|Iva]], [[Lua-o-Milu]], [[Nga- Atua]], [[Pulotu]], [[Rangi Tuarea]], [[Te Toi-o-nga-Ranga]], [[Uranga-o-Te-Ra]] |- |[[Pueblo]] mythology |[[Shipap]] |- |[[Roman mythology]] |[[Avernus]], [[Hades]], [[Pluto (mythology)|Pluto]] |- |[[Slavic mythology]] |[[Peklo]] |- |[[Sumerian mythology]] |[[Dilmun]], [[Kur]], [[Ki-Gal]] |- |[[Vodou mythology]] |[[Guinee]] |- |[[Wagawaga mythology]] |[[Hiyoyoa]] |} ==Rulers of the Underworld== (Note: this includes guardian-type creatures, [[ghost]]s, and spirits such as [[demon]]s, veli, and [[Cerberus]]) {| class="wikitable" |- |[[Aboriginal mythology]] |[[Baiame]] ([[Kamilaroi]]), [[Eingana]] |- |[[Akkadian mythology]] |[[Allu]], [[Anu]], [[Anunnaku]], [[Ereshkigal]], [[Etemmu]], [[Gallu]], [[Humbaba]], [[Mamitu]], [[Nergal]], [[Utnapishtim]] |- |[[Albanian mythology]] |[[E Bukura e Dheut]] |- |[[Armenian mythology]] |[[Spandaramat]] |- |[[Aztec mythology]] |[[Mictlantecuhtli]], [[Mictecacihuatl]], [[Chalmecacihuilt]], [[Chalmecatl]] |- |[[Babylonian mythology]] |[[Erra]], [[Nergal]], [[Ninlil]], [[Sursunabu]], [[Ur-shanabi]], [[Utnapishtim]] |- |[[Balinese mythology]] |[[Batara Kala]], [[Setesuyara]] |- |[[Bon mythology]] |[[gNyan]] |- |[[Buddhist mythology]] |[[Yama (Buddhism and Chinese mythology)|Yama, Emma-O-, Yanluo]] |- |[[Canaanite mythology]] |[[Mot]] |- |[[Celtic mythology]] |[[Arawn]], [[Bean Sidhe]], [[Cernunnos]], [[Cwn Annwn]], [[Gwyn ap Nudd]], [[Latiaran]], [[Manannan mac Lir]], [[Midir]], [[Morrigan]], [[Niamh]], [[Pwyll]], [[Sluagh]], [[Tethra]] |- |[[Chinese mythology]] |[[Gui (disambiguation)|Gu(i]], [[Yama (Buddhism and Chinese mythology)|Yanluo]] |- |[[Christian mythology]] |[[Angel]]s, [[Demon]]s, [[Devil]], [[God]], [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Saint Peter]], [[Satan]] |- |[[Egyptian mythology]] |[[Aken (god)|Aken]], [[Aker (god)|Aker]] (strictly only the gatekeeper), [[Am-heh]], [[Amunet]], [[Ammit]], [[Andjety]], [[Anubis]], [[Apep]], [[Apis (Egyptian mythology)|Apis]], [[Astennu]], [[Ha (mythology)|Ha]], [[Imiut fetish|Imiut]] (if the Imiut was ever considered a god), [[Isis]], [[Mehen]], [[Naunet]], [[Nehebkau]], [[Nephthys]], [[Nun]], [[Nut (goddess)|Nut]], [[Osiris]], [[Ptah]], [[Seker]], [[Thoth]] |- |[[Elamite mythology]] |[[Jabru]] |- |[[Etruscan mythology]] |[[Charun]], [[Culsu]], [[Februus]], [[Mania]], [[Mantus]], [[Nethuns]], [[Tuchulcha]], [[Vanth]] |- |[[Finnish mythology]] |[[Kalma]], [[Kipu-Tyttö]], [[Kivutar]], [[Lovitar]], [[Surma]], [[akka|Tuonen akka]], [[Tuonetar]], [[Tuoni]], [[Vammatar]] |- |[[Greek mythology]] |[[Cerberus]], [[Charon (mythology)|Charon]], [[Hades]], [[Keres (mythology)|Keres]], [[Persephone]], [[Styx (mythology)|Styx]], [[Thanatos]], [[Tartaros]] |- |[[Georgian mythology]] |[[sasuleti]] |- |[[Haida mythology]] |[[Ta'xet]], [[Tia]] |- |[[Hinduism]] |[[asura]]s, [[Bali (Daitya)|Bali]], [[Chitragupta]], [[Deva (Hinduism)|deva]]s, [[Durga]], [[Naga (mythology)]], [[Rudra]], [[Soma]], [[Varuna]], [[Vivasvat]], [[Vritra]], [[Yama (Hinduism)|Yama]] |- |[[Hopi mythology]] |[[Kachina]] |- |[[Ibo mythology]] |[[Ala (mythology)|Ala]] |- |[[Incan mythology]] |[[Supay]], [[Vichama]] |- |Indonesian mythology |[[Dewi Shri]], [[Ndara]] |- |[[Inuit mythology]] |[[Pana]], [[Sedna (deity)|Sedna]] |- |[[Islamic mythology]] |[[Hafaza]], [[Huri]], [[Iblis]]/[[Shaitan]], [[Ifrit]], [[Genie|Jinn]], [[Mala'ikah]], [[Peri]] |- |[[Japanese mythology]] |[[Hisa-Me]], [[Hotoke]], [[Ika-Zuchi-no-Kami]], [[Jikininki]], [[Shiko-Me]], [[Shiti Dama]], [[Shi-Ryo]], [[Yama]] |- |[[Kassite mythology]] |[[Dur]] |- |[[Khmer mythology]] |[[Preas Eyssaur]] |- |[[Latvian mythology]] |[[Veli]], [[Velu mate]], [[Zemes mate]] |- |[[Levantine mythology]] |[[Mot]] |- |[[Lunda mythology]] |[[Kalunga]] |- |[[Maori mythology]] |[[Kewa]] |- |[[Maya mythology]] |[[Xibalba]] |- |[[Melanesian mythology]] |(includes Fijian mythology) [[Degei]], [[Ratumaibulu]], [[Samulayo]] |- |[[Narragansett mythology]] |[[Chepi]] |- |[[Navaho mythology]] |[[Estanatelhi]] |- |[[Niquiran mythology]] |[[Mictanteot]] |- |[[Norse mythology]] |[[Garm]], [[Hel (goddess)|Hel]], [[Ran (mythology)|Ran]] |- |[[Orokolo mythology]] |[[Kiavari]] |- |[[Persian mythology]] |[[Angra Mainyu]], [[Zahhak|Azhi Dahaka]], [[Peri]] |- |[[Philippine mythology (Look to the Christian Mythology for more information)]] |''Demonyo'' [[Demon]], [[Lucifer]], ''Dyablo'' [[Diablo]], [[Satan]], ''Diyos'' [[God]] |- |[[Phoenician mythology]] |[[Horon]] |- |[[Phrygian mythology]] |[[Men (god)|Men]] |- |[[Polynesian mythology]] |[[Hikuleo]], [[Hina]], [[Hine-nui-te-Po]], [[Kanaloa]], [[Kiho]], [[Makea Tutara]], [[Mahiuki]], [[Mahu-ike]], [[Marama]], [[Mauri]], [[Merau]], [[Milu]], [[Miru]], [[Rimu]], [[Rohe (mythology)]], [[Whiro]] |- |[[Prussian mythology]] |[[Picullus]] |- |[[Pueblo mythology]] |[[Iyatiku]] |- |[[Roma (Gypsy) mythology]] | |- |[[Roman mythology]] |[[Cerberus]], [[Dea Tacita]], [[Dis Pater]], [[Egestes]], [[Fames]], [[Inferi Dii]], [[Larenta]], [[Letum]], [[Libitina]], [[Mors (mythology)|Mors]], [[Pluto (god)|Pluto]], [[Proserpina]], [[Viduus]] |- |[[Russian mythology]] |[[Baba Yaga]], [[Koshchei]] |- |[[Saami mythology]] |[[akka|Yambe-akka]] |- |[[Salish mythology]] |[[Amotken]] |- |[[Siberian mythology]] |[[Chebeldei]], [[Kul]] |- |[[Slavic mythology]] |[[Crnobog]], [[Flins]], [[Marzana]], [[Nyia]] |- |[[Sumerian mythology]] |[[Edimmu]], [[Ekimmu]], [[Endukugga]], [[Enmesarra]], [[Ereshkigal]], [[Gidim]], [[Gula]], [[Irkalla]], [[Kur]], [[Namtar]], [[Nergal]], [[Neti]], [[Nindukugga]], [[Ninlil]], [[Urshanabi]], [[Utnapishtim|Ziusudra]] |- |[[Syrian mythology]] |[[Reshep]] |- |[[Tamil mythology]] |[[Cur]] |- |[[Thracian mythology]] |[[Heros (mythology)|Heros]] |- |[[Vodou]] |[[Baron Cimetière]], [[Baron La Croix]], [[Baron Samedi]], [[Ghede]], [[Maman Brigitte]], [[Marassa Jumeaux]] |- |[[Wagawaga mythology]] |[[Tumudurere]] |- |[[Yoruba mythology]] |[[Oya]] |- |[[Yurak mythology]] |[[Nga]] |- |[[Zuni mythology]] |[[Uhepono]] |} ==Fictional underworlds== *The last ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' video game is titled ''[[Tomb Raider: Underworld]]''. *The setting for the ''[[Heroes in Hell]]'' [[shared world]] series of [[Bangsian Fantasy]] works by [[Janet Morris]], [[C. J. Cherryh]] and others. *The location of the captive Prince [[Rilian]] in ''[[The Silver Chair]]'', of [[C. S. Lewis]]' ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia|Chronicles of Narnia]]'' series, is the [[Underland]]. *The [[Alignment (role-playing games)|evil]] [[Outer Plane]]s of the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[role-playing game]]. *The Netherworld of the Playstation 2 videogame [[Disgaea: Hour of Darkness]] and other games of the series. *The Underworld in the videogame [[Devil May Cry]] in Mission 19 "Enter the Corrupted World" *The Underwhere in [[Super Paper Mario]], where people whose "games have ended" go to. *A high-end zone of the [[Guild Wars]] videogame series. *A representation of hell in the [[Mortal Kombat (series)|Mortal Kombat]] videogame series, known as the Netherrealm. *Underworld is the title of a [[Doctor Who]] story based on the legend of the [[Golden Fleece]] This has influenced several gothic fiction texts. *[[Karzahni]], where poor [[Matoran]] workers were sent before [[Mata Nui]]'s coming in the [[Bionicle]] mythos. *In the television series ''[[Charmed]]'', The Underworld was the residence of evil beings. *From Star Trek, [[Gre'thor]] and Fek'lhr appear in Klingon mythology. * In the television series ''[[Power Rangers: Mystic Force]]'', [[Villains in Power Rangers: Mystic Force|the antagonists]] reside in a world which appears to be quite literally under the surface of the earth. Nevertheless, several ghoulish characters —such as [[Vampires]], [[Werewolves]], [[Zombies]], [[Mummies]] and even someone very similar to [[Frankenstein's monster]] — act as primary residents (this version of the Underworld is more similar to Hades or Hell). * [[Underworld (2003 film)]], directed by [[Len Wiseman]] and starring [[Kate Beckinsale]] about a war between vampires and werewolves. There was also a sequel - [[Underworld: Evolution]] (2006) and will be a prequel, [[Underworld 3|Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans]] * In the animated television series [[Chaotic]], there's a tribe called the UnderWorld in perim. [[Category:Mythological cosmologies]] [[Category:Comparative mythology]] [[Category:Mythological places]] [[Category:Life after death]] [[Category:Hell]] [[cs:Podsvětí]] [[de:Unterwelt]] [[es:Anexo:Inframundo]] [[fr:Au-delà]] [[it:Storia dell'Aldilà]] [[lb:Ënnerwelt (Mythologie)]] [[lt:Požeminis pasaulis]] [[mk:Подземен свет]] [[nl:Onderwereld (mythologie)]] [[no:Dødsrike]] [[pl:Zaświaty]] [[ru:Загробный мир]] [[simple:Underworld]] [[sh:Podzemni svijet]] [[sv:Dödsrike]] [[vi:Địa ngục]] [[vo:Disvol]]