From all parts of the world come myths and legends about the underworld, a
mysterious and shadowy place beyond ordinary human experience. The
underworld is the realm of the dead, the destination of human souls in the
afterlife. In some traditions, it is also the home of nonhuman,
supernatural,
or otherworldly beings such as fairies, demons, giants, and monsters.
Although usually portrayed as a terrifying, dangerous, or unpredictable
place, the underworld appears as a source of growth, life, and rebirth in
some myths. Many descriptions of the underworld include elements of
earthly life, such as powerful rulers and palaces.
The most common idea of the underworld is that it lies beneath the
everyday world. The