Ed Thornton
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Hellhounds occur in mythologies around the world, with the best-known examples being Cerberus from Greek mythology, Garmr from Norse mythology, the black dogs of English folklore, and the fairy hounds of Celtic mythology.
- What Is A Hellhound?
- Characteristics
- Cultural Representation
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
A Hellhound is a monstrous dog, leashed to the spiritual world. Nicknamed “Bearer of Death” in some parts of the world, they can often be found guarding the entryways to the afterlife or skulking in the shadows behind a person who is doomed to die soon.
Physical Description
The Hellhound’s appearance varies from region to region, but wherever they pop up, they strike fear into the hearts of witnesses. These phantom canines are considerably larger than a normal dog. A small Hellhound is about the size of a mastiff, while a large one can dwarf horses and bears. Their hair is black as coal, and their eyes glow like angry red or green flames. The most terrifying individuals may have multiple heads or, eerier still, have no head at all. Spotting a Hellhound can be di...
Personality
Despite their ferocious appearance, most Hellhounds are more mysterious than hostile. They rarely attack humans unless they are provoked. In fact, even if you wanted to fight one of these monsters (unlikely), it would probably run away or disappear into the mist or shadows before you had time to launch an attack. In some stories, Hellhounds are valiant and devoted guardians. They might be assigned to guard a treasure or sacred ground, in which case they will spend an eternity glowering over t...
Special Abilities
The hounds have many supernatural skills that make them both powerful allies and fearsome enemies. To begin with, they have incredible speed and strength, even for large predatory animals like themselves. They can outstrip a cheetah in a race and rip down trees with their claws. They are also masters of disguise, able to conjure up cloaks of mist, shapeshift into various forms, or even vanish into thin air. In cultures that associate fire with hell, the hounds are also able to play tricks wit...
Greek Mythology
According to ancient Greek mythology, Hades, the god of the underworld, kept a monstrous Hellhound named Cerberusat the mouth of the underworld to prevent dead souls from escaping back into the world above. Cerberus, had three heads, with ferocious jaws and eyes, and the tail of a snake. At one point in history, he was captured by Heracles and removed from the underworld, which caused him so much distress (possibly because he was anxious about abandoning his post as a guardian and possibly be...
Eastern Folklore
In China, a huge black demon-dog, named Tiangou, is blamed for causing eclipses by eating the sun or the moon. In Japan, a wolf-like demon, called Okuri-inu, is said to follow men and women who travel by night. If the traveler has a worthy heart, the Okuri-inu will protect him from other monsters. If, however, the traveler displays cowardice or clumsiness (usually by tripping or falling), the hound will devour him.
English Folklore
England is haunted by more Hellhounds than any other country. From bustling coastal towns to lonely estates on the moor, each region has its own incarnation of the hound. The Barghest belongs to the Yorkshire area in northern England. He is noted for his talent as a shapeshifter, frequently appearing as a headless woman or a white cat or rabbit, as well as the traditional black dog. He is also less shy than other Hellhounds, and he is quite comfortable loping into a town square. Black Shuck b...
Learn about the characteristics, abilities, and cultural representations of Hellhounds, the monstrous dogs that guard the afterlife or herald death. Find out how they appear in Greek, Eastern, and English myths and legends.
Jun 4, 2020 · Learn about the origins and meanings of hellhounds in mythology, folklore, and history. Discover the differences between spectral and otherworldly hellhounds, and how they are associated with death, protection, and the Wild Hunt.
Jun 10, 2024 · A hellhound is a dog that guards the underworld in mythology, such as Cerberus in Greek mythology. Learn more about hellhounds and other legendary creatures, such as bogeymen, in Britannica's articles.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Hellhounds are monsters that are often given as a Slayer task to mid-to-high level players. Hellhounds are an excellent source of hard clue scrolls, as they drop them more frequently than other monsters.
Hellhounds are mythical creatures that have been a part of folklore and mythology for centuries. They are often depicted as fearsome dogs with supernatural powers, guarding the entryways to the afterlife or serving as servants of the devil or the underworld.
A Hellhound is a supernatural dog in folklore that originates from the Underworld. A wide variety of ominous or hellish supernatural dogs occur in mythologies around the world. The Hellhound has been seen several times throughout history, and it is not specific to any one place, but they are...
