Are the Nine Gates of Hell Factual or Myth: Exploring the Symbolism and Literary Use
The concept of 'the nine gates of hell' has captured imaginations in literature and popular culture alike. From the film The Ninth Gate to the novels of Arturo Pérez-Reverte, the idea of a hierarchical structure to the underworld serves as a compelling narrative device. However, when examined from the perspective of historical and religious facts, the nine gates of hell hold more significance as a blend of artistic imagination and cultural symbolism rather than factual entities.
Conceptualizing Hell
The term 'hell' does not appear explicitly in the Greek New Testament. Instead, the Bible uses various terms to describe the afterlife: the Greek words 'Tartarus,' 'Hades,' and the Hebrew 'Gehinnom.' In the Septuagint and the New Testament, the authors employed the Greek term 'Hades' for 'Sheol,' often with a Jewish rather than a Greek connotation. Sheol, or Hades, in the Jewish tradition, such as in the Book of Ecclesiastes, is described as a place where there is no activity.
Mythological and Religious Interpretations
Cultures around the world have their own interpretations of the afterlife and realms of punishment. However, the specific idea of nine gates is not universally recognized across all traditions. This concept reflects a blend of artistic imagination and cultural symbolism, often found in literature and films rather than in historical or factual reality.
Dante's Inferno
Dante Alighieri, in his epic poem The Divine Comedy, which he crafted between 1308 and 1321, explores a very fertile imagination. His work, particularly the Inferno, is a brilliant allegory describing the nine spheres of hell. However, it is essential to recognize that Dante's Inferno is not a factual account of the afterlife. The poem intertwines biblical and Roman Catholic influences, as well as mythology and medieval traditions.
Understanding the Structure of the Inferior Worlds
Dante was not merely a poet but an initiate who awakened his consciousness through meditation, allowing him to explore the reality of internal worlds directly. He depicts the nine gates as a symbolic structure rather than a factual map. While entrancing, exploring such a place is, as stated in the biblical context, "utter foolishness."
For those interested in understanding the 'structure' of the inferior worlds, there are methods to investigate these realms through meditation and astral projection. Samael Aun Weor's book, Hell, The Devil, and Karma, provides detailed insights into these processes, which are available for free online at the Gnostic Teachings website. Initiates of esoteric knowledge can explore the nature of both the superior and inferior worlds by awakening their consciousness and becoming adept in astral projection or dream yoga.