Diyu

**Diyu** (Chinese: 地獄) is the realm of the dead or "underworld" in Chinese mythology.

## **Characteristics and Appearance**

Diyu is typically depicted as a subterranean maze with various levels and chambers, to which souls are taken after death to atone for the sins they committed when they were alive. The exact number of levels in Diyu and their associated Deities differ between interpretations. Some speak of three to four "courts"; others mention "Ten Courts of Hell", each of which is ruled by a judge, collectively known as the Ten Kings; other Chinese legends speak of the "Eighteen Levels of Hell". Each court deals with a different aspect of atonement and different punishments; most legends claim that sinners are subjected to gruesome tortures until their "deaths", after which they are restored to their original state for the torture to be repeated.

## **Locations**

### Youdu

Among the various other geographic features believed of Diyu, the capital city has been thought to be named Youdu. It is generally conceived as being similar to a typical Chinese capital city, such as Chang'an, but surrounded with and pervaded with darkness.

## Levels of Diyu

*There are ten levels located in Diyu, each level of torture are symbolic of the sins committed by the sinner.*

### First Court: Ruled by the god Qinguang

The first court is not for punishment but rather its a tribunal that sorts out the good souls and the evil souls. Souls deemed virtuous will be giving the option of the golden bridge or the silver bridge, while souls who's good outweighs their crimes are only given the silver bridge. (Though some beliefs they get the option of the golden bridge as well.) The golden bridge sends the soul to a paradise realm while the silver bridge the soul will be reborn as a god. Souls judged as evil will be sent to the next courts to face their punishments for their crimes.

### Second Court: Ruled by the god Chujiang

The second court is where souls are punished for the crimes of assault, robbery, corruption, and prostitution.

### Third Court: Ruled by the god Songdi

The third court is where souls are punished for the crimes of drug trafficking, tomb raiding, escaping from prison, ungratefulness, tempting others into crime, and disrespecting the elderly.

### Fourth Court: Ruled by the god Wuguan

The fourth court is where souls are punished for the crimes of tax evasion, fraud, and civil unrest.

### Fifth Court: Ruled by the god Yanluo

The fifth court is where souls are punished for the crimes of conspiracy, and predatory lending.

### Sixth Court: Ruled by the god Piencheng

The sixth court is where souls are punished for the crimes of cheating, cursing others, kidnapping, misuse of knowledge, law breaking, wasting food, and pornography.

### Seventh Court: Ruled by the god Taishan

The seventh court is where souls are punished for the crimes of spreading rumours/fearmongering, sowing strife, rape, and driving someone to their death.

### Eighth Court: Ruled by the god Dushi

The eighth court is where souls are punished for the crimes of causing strife for family, cheating during examinations, and harming others to benefit yourself.

### Ninth Court: Ruled by the god Pingdeng

The ninth court is where souls are punished for the crimes of murder, sexual assault, negligence of the vulnerable, unlawful conduct, and burglary.

### Tenth Court: Ruled by the god Zhuanlun

The tenth court is the final level, after serving their sentences for their crimes, wicked souls are brought fourth to Zhuanlun where he passes final judgement. They are then brought to the Pavilion of Forgetfulness. There the souls are met by a goddess named Meng Po, who will give them tea and erase their memories. Their final judgement will send them back to earth as either a human or an animal. Souls that were the most wicked will be sent back in the form of an animal, while less wicked souls will be sent back as a human with a less favourable social position. Here they will live their lives again to try to receive the options of the golden and silver bridges.

## **Inhabitants**

* Chinese Gods
* Souls
* Other Supernatural Beings