Underworld
- For other meanings of this word see Underworld (disambiguation)
In the study of mythology and religion, the underworld is a generic term approximately equivalent to the lay term afterlife, referring to any place to which newly dead souls go.
See also: descent to the underworld, psychopomp.
Babylonian mythology
Buddhist mythology
- Naraka (also Niraya)
Celtic mythology
Chinese mythology
Christian Mythology
Egyptian mythology
Estonian mythology
- Toonela
Fijian mythology
see Melanesian mythology.
Finnish mythology
Greek mythology
Hebrew Bible
Hinduism
Incan mythology
Inuit mythology
Islamic mythology
Japanese mythology
Latvian mythology
Mapuche mythology
- Pellumawida
- Degin
- Wenuleufu
- Ngullchenmaiwe
Mayan mythology
Melanesian mythology
(includes Fijian)
Norse mythology
Oromo mythology
- Ekera
Philippine mythology
- Kasanaan
Polynesian mythology
- Avaiki
- Bulotu
- Iva
- Lua-o-Milu
- Ngā Atua
- Pulotu
- Rangi Tuarea
- Te Toi-o-nga-Ranga
- Uranga-o-Te-Ra
Pueblo mythology
- Shipap
Roman mythology
Slavic mythology
- Peklo
Sumerian mythology
Vodun
Wagawaga mythology
- Hiyoyoa
Rulers of the Underworld
(Note: this includes guardian-type creatures, ghosts, and spirits such as demons, veli, and Cerberus)
Aboriginal mythology
Akkadian mythology
Albanian mythology
Armenian mythology
- Spandaramat
Aztec mythology
Babylonian mythology
- Erra
- Nergal
- Ninlil
- Sursunabu
- Ur-shanabi
- Utnapishtim
Balinese mythology
Bon mythology
- gNyan
Buddhist mythology
Canaanite mythology
Celtic mythology
- Arawn
- Bean Sidhe
- Cernunnos
- Cŵn Annwn
- Gwyn ap Nudd
- Latiaran
- Manannan mac Lir
- Midir
- Morrigan
- Niamh
- Pwyll
- Sluagh
- Tethra
Chinese mythology
Christian mythology
Egyptian mythology
- Aken
- Aker (strictly only the gatekeeper)
- Am-heh
- Amunet
- Ammit
- Andjety
- Anubis
- Apep
- Apis
- Astennu
- Ha
- Imiut (if the Imiut was ever considered a god)
- Isis
- Mehen
- Naunet
- Nehebkau
- Nephthys
- Nun
- Nut
- Osiris
- Ptah
- Seker
- Thoth
Elamite mythology
Etruscan mythology
Finnish mythology
Greek mythology
Gypsy mythology
- Mulo
Haida mythology
Hinduism
Hopi mythology
Ibo mythology
Incan mythology
Indonesian mythology
- Dewi Shri
- Ndara
Inuit mythology
Islamic mythology
Japanese mythology
- Hisa-Me
- Hotoke
- Ika-Zuchi-no-Kami
- Jikininki
- Shiko-Me
- Shiti Dama
- Shi-Ryo
Kassite mythology
Khmer mythology
- Preas Eyssaur
Latvian mythology
Levantine mythology
Lunda mythology
Maya mythology
Melanesian mythology
(includes Fijian mythology)
Narragansett mythology
Navaho mythology
- Estanatelhi
Niquiran mythology
- Mictanteot
Norse mythology
Orokolo mythology
- Kiavari
Persian mythology
Philippine mythology
Phoenician mythology
- Horon
Phrygian mythology
Polynesian mythology
- Hikuleo
- Hina
- Hine-nui-te-Po
- Kanaloa
- Kiho
- Limu
- Makea Tutara
- Mahiuki
- Mahu-ike
- Marama
- Mauri
- Merau
- Milu
- Miru
- Rimu
- Rohe (mythology)
- Whiro
Prussian mythology
Pueblo mythology
Roman mythology
Russian mythology
Saami mythology
Salish mythology
Siberian mythology
- Chebeldei
- Kul
Slavic mythology
Sumerian mythology
- Edimmu
- Ekimmu
- Endukugga
- Enmesarra
- Ereshkigal
- Gidim
- Gula
- Irkalla
- Kur
- Namtar
- Nergal
- Neti
- Nindukugga
- Ninlil
- Urshanabi
- Ziusudra
Syrian mythology
Tamil mythology
Vodun
Wagawaga mythology
- Tumudurere
Yoruba mythology
Yurak mythology
Zuni mythology
- Uhepono
Fictional underworlds
- 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' Chronicles of Narnia series, is the Underland.
- The evil Outer Planes of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.
- The Netherworld of the Playstation 2 videogame Disgaea: Hour of Darkness.
- A representation of hell in the 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 PRMF, 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).
Categories
Mythological Cosmologies | Life after death