Ten Kings of Hell 1167 - 1194

This painting, Ten Kings of Hell, was made by Jin Chushi in the 12th century. Here we see the solemn judgment of the dead, dominated by the figure of a king, presiding over the fate of souls. Consider the symbols of judgment present here. This motif, the scales of justice, transcends cultures; we see it echoed in ancient Egyptian art with Anubis weighing hearts, and in Christian art with Saint Michael performing a similar task. The act of weighing the soul, laden with earthly deeds, is a powerful symbol of moral reckoning. The tormentors, reminiscent of demons, are universal figures, harking back to ancient pagan beliefs in chthonic deities. These figures embody the fears and anxieties linked to divine retribution. It's fascinating to observe how the fear of divine judgment and images of the afterlife have been preserved, adapted, and transformed across time. They continue to resonate within our collective consciousness.