© Getty Images

Hel - Norse mythology -

In Norse mythology, Hel is a goddess who rules over the Underworld. Hel is the daughter of Loki and a giantess called Angrboda, and is also a giantess herself. She is often described as cruel and gloomy, and is usually depicted with a grimace on her face.

© Getty Images

Hel - Norse mythology -

In Norse mythology, only those who die in battle are sent to heaven, or Valhalla, while the rest are sent to the Underworld. Hel was responsible for deciding the fate of each soul in the Underworld, as they could be sent to a number of different areas for varying degrees of peace or suffering. Hel is said to be callous and indifferent when making her decisions.

© Public Domain

Cizin - Ancient Maya -

Mayan civilization thrived in Mesoamerica until the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors during the 1500s. There were a range of heroes and gods worshiped in Mayan mythology, including the “death gods.” Despite the ominous name, many of the death gods were associated with positive things like rejuvenation and rebirth.

© Getty Images

Cizin - Ancient Maya -

Cizin, however, had no redeeming qualities. Cizin was the death god who kept the souls of sinners trapped in the Underworld to suffer for eternity. He is often depicted wearing a necklace made of eyeballs.

© Getty Images

Cizin - Ancient Maya -

In some ancient artwork, he is shown dancing and smoking. He was said to give off a terrible odor and was also known as “The Stinking One.” When the Spanish arrived and learned about the beliefs of the Mayans, they closely associated Cizin with the Christian devil.

© Public Domain

Māra - Buddhism -

In Christianity, the devil appeared in many different forms to try to tempt Jesus. In Buddhism, a demon called Māra played a similar role with the Buddha. Māra is the Lord of the Senses, and is associated with desire and all things contrary to Enlightenment.

© Getty Images

Māra - Buddhism -

As the Buddha sat under a tree waiting for Enlightenment, Māra appeared and tried to make him abandon his mission. His first attempt was unsuccessful, so Māra sent his three daughters (thirst, desire, and delight) to seduce the Buddha.

© Getty Images

Māra - Buddhism -

The Buddha persevered and experienced Enlightenment, but he had doubts that others would be able to understand it. Māra fueled Buddha’s doubts and tried to convince him to abandon any hope of preaching.

© Getty Images

Emma-ō - Buddhism -

There are other devilish figures in Japanese Buddhism. Hell, known as Jigoku, is ruled over by a demon called Emma-ō. Emma-ō is the Lord of Death who judges each soul who enters his realm.

© Getty Images

Emma-ō - Buddhism -

Like some kind of terrifying Santa Claus, Emma-ō consults his long list of every sin ever committed. He is assisted in his decision-making by two disembodied heads that usually sit on either side of him.

© Getty Images

Emma-ō - Buddhism -

The female head, Miru-me, has the power to see the deceased’s deepest flaws, while the male head, Kagu-hana, can detect any misdeeds they’re trying to hide. Emma-ō sentences each soul to a set period of damnation.

© Getty Images

Hades - Greek mythology -

In ancient Greek mythology, Hades is the god of the Underworld. Good and evil are not as black and white in Greek mythology as they are in Christianity, but Hades is as close to the devil as you’ll find in this pagan belief system.

© Getty Images

Hades - Greek mythology -

Instead of being a torturous realm where sinners go to suffer for eternity, the Underworld is simply the resting place for the souls of the dead. Hades rarely left the Underworld, but on one occasion he went to the realm of the living to kidnap Persephone and bring her back to be his wife.

© Getty Images

Pluto - Roman mythology -

In ancient Rome, the same gods existed but under different names. Hades came to be known as Pluto. He is often depicted alongside his three-headed dog, Cerberus, who guarded the gates of the Underworld.

© Getty Images

Ahriman - Zoroastrianism -

Zoroastrianism is an ancient religion that is still practiced by small communities, predominantly in Iran and India. It’s a dualistic religion, as it centers around the belief that two opposing forces (good and evil) are at the center of existence.

© Getty Images

Ahriman - Zoroastrianism -

As such, the two key figures in Zoroastrianism are Ahura Mazda, the god figure who represents light, and Ahriman, who represents darkness. These two forces are constantly fighting for dominance, but they are also responsible for creating balance in the world.

© Getty Images

Ahriman - Zoroastrianism -

Zoroastrianism pre-existed religions like Christianity and Islam. It’s believed that Zoroastrianism contributed to the development of these religions, and that the concept of Satan originated with Ahriman.

© Getty Images

Osiris, Thoth, and Anubis - Ancient Egypt -

In ancient Egypt, the duties usually carried out by Satan in Christianity were divided among a number of gods with dark associations. One of these gods was Osiris, the Lord of the Underworld who sat in judgment over the spirits of the dead.

© Getty Images

Osiris, Thoth, and Anubis - Ancient Egypt -

Osiris was aided by Thoth, the god of order and chaos. He presided over the souls of the Underworld with Osiris, and those who worried about receiving an unfair judgment would appeal to Thoth for help.

© Getty Images

Osiris, Thoth, and Anubis - Ancient Egypt -

Anubis was another god of the Underworld, often depicted as a jackal or a man in all black. He guided lost souls in the Underworld but also worked against the plans of humankind.

© Getty Images

Yama - Hinduism -

Yama is the god of death in Hinduism. He was the first person ever to die, and as such he created the path to mortality for all of mankind. Since his death, he has presided over the Underworld and decides the fate of the souls that follow him.

© Getty Images

Yama - Hinduism -

Yama is a majestic figure typically depicted in strong colors and dressed in red. He is usually accompanied by his two four-eyed dogs who act as the guardians of his kingdom. He also rides a buffalo carrying a noose and a mace, the tools of his trade.

© Getty Images

Yama - Hinduism -

It is said that Yama’s noose follows each person throughout their lives. The length of their life is determined by the distance between their neck and his noose.

© Getty Images

Jinn - Islam -

In Islamic mythology, invisible spirits known as jinn take on a number of roles. Some jinn are demonic beings who can take on human form or live in inanimate objects. They enjoy punishing humans and causing accidents.

© Getty Images 

Jinn - Islam -

Similar to demons in Christian mythology, humans who have the necessary knowledge can communicate with jinn and even exploit them for their powers.

© Getty Images 

Jinn - Islam -

Evil spirits called shaitan are one kind of jinn. They exist to whisper to humans and incite them to commit sins. They are grotesque demons created from hellfire to wreak havoc upon mankind, and are said to eat excrement and spread disease.

© Shutterstock

Melek Taûs - Yazidi -

The Yazidi people of Kurdistan follow an ancient belief system that centers around a fallen angel. This angel, called Melek Taûs, fell from heaven but was later forgiven by God who sent him to take care of mankind. Melek Taûs is usually depicted as a peacock in religious artwork.

© Getty Images

Melek Taûs - Yazidi -

Melek Taûs is one of the central figures of the Yazidi religion and is worshiped as an angel and savior. The Yazidis see him as a benevolent leader rather than an evil figure. However, the worship of a fallen angel has caused some controversy.

© Getty Images

Melek Taûs - Yazidi -

In other major world religions like Christianity and Islam, the devil is a fallen angel. The Yazidi people are seen as devil-worshippers by some of their Islamic neighbors. Some communities have even been persecuted and driven from their homes.

Sources: (Britannica) (BBC) (Ranker)

See also: Voodoo: sinister religion, or misunderstood faith?

© Getty Images