This week, I delved into more Greek Mythology for my Capstone project, and I decided to focus on creating the rooms for Hades’ domain. Therefore, this post will be mostly be about me writing about what I learned about the Underworld, which is arguably one of my favorite subjects in Greek Mythology.
Symbolism and Items of the Underworld
- Pomegranates
- Pomegranates are not from the Underworld specifically, however they are often related to the Underworld, as Persephone ate its seeds before reuniting with Demeter, her mother, at the surface of the Earth. This would ensure that Persephone had to return to Hades and the Underworld after a time on the surface.
- Helm of Hades
- Not as well-known as Poseidon’s Triton or Zeus’ Lightning Bolts, but the Helm was used by Hades in the war against the Titans to turn invisible. The Helm has also been used by other mythological figures, such as Athena, Hermes, and Perseus.
- Charon’s Obol
- Payment in the form of a coin for the ferryman Charon to take an undead soul across the River Styx. Individuals were usually buried with the obol in or on their mouth. If an undead soul did not have an obol for Charon, they were forced to inhabit a plane of existence where they would not be able to pass on to the afterlife, yet they would not be able to go back to the world of the living.
Realms of the Underworld
- Rivers of the Underworld and Erebus
- There are six main rivers in total (Styx, Acheron, Lethe, Phlegethon, Cocytus, and Oceanus).
- Styx and Acheron are considered to be the main two rivers that Charon carries souls over, and are the entrance to the Underworld.
- Erebus is both the god of darkness, and is a location. He is the location (the “darkness”) that exists between earth and the Underworld.
- Tartarus
- When one thinks about the Underworld, they imagery of Tartarus usually comes to mind. Tartarus is where malevolent souls are sent to be tortured, and also houses the Titans.
- Asphodel Meadows
- This is where “normal” souls are sent in the Underworld– Wherein the individuals were not evil, but neither were they especially esteemed while they were alive. This area is covered in the Asphodel flower (which is also a real flower on earth), hence its name.
- Elysium
- An area in the Underworld specifically for individuals who were revered, and considered to be just while they were alive. In my opinion, Elysium would be the equivalent to the Norse Valhalla.
