Underworld
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.
- Naraka (also Niraya)
see Melanesian mythology.
(includes Fijian)
Rulers of the Underworld
(Note: this includes guardian-type creatures, ghosts, and spirits such as demons, veli, and Cerberus)
- Arawn
- Bean Sidhe
- Cernunnos
- Cŵn Annwn
- Gwyn ap Nudd
- Latiaran
- Manannan mac Lir
- Midir
- Morrigan
- Niamh
- Pwyll
- Sluagh
- Tethra
- 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
Indonesian mythology
Levantine mythology
Lunda mythology
(includes Fijian mythology)
- Hikuleo
- Hina
- Hine-nui-te-Po
- Kanaloa
- Kiho
- Limu
- Makea Tutara
- Mahiuki
- Mahu-ike
- Marama
- Mauri
- Merau
- Milu
- Miru
- Rimu
- Rohe (mythology)
- Whiro
- Cerberus
- Dea Tacita
- Dis Pater
- Egestes
- Fames
- Inferi Dii
- Larenta
- Letum
- Libitina
- Mors
- Pluto
- Proserpina
- Viduus
- Edimmu
- Ekimmu
- Endukugga
- Enmesarra
- Ereshkigal
- Gidim
- Gula
- Irkalla
- Kur
- Namtar
- Nergal
- Neti
- Nindukugga
- Ninlil
- Urshanabi
- Ziusudra
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
- Underwear factory in TV soap Coronation Street
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).