Underworld
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2008-07-10T20:51:03Z
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{{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]]
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