The Harrowing of Hell (Latin Descensus Christi ad Inferos "the descent of Christ into hell") is a doctrine in Christian theology referenced in the Apostles' Creed and the Athanasian Creed (Quicumque vult) that states that Jesus Christ "descended into Hell".
The lack of explicit scriptural references to Christ's descent to the underworld has given rise to controversy and differing interpretations. As an image in Christian art, the harrowing is also known as the Anastasis (a Greek word for "resurrection"), considered a creation of Byzantine culture and first appearing in the West in the early 8th century.
Read more about Harrowing Of Hell: Terminology, Conceptions of The Afterlife, Christian Mortalism, In Art, Music and Literature
Famous quotes related to harrowing of hell:
“When man has neither the strength to subdue his underworld powers—which are really the ancient powers of his old, superseded self; nor the wit to placate them with sacrifice and the burnt holocaust; then they come back at him, and destroy him again. Hence every new conquest of life means a ‘harrowing of Hell.’”
—D.H. (David Herbert)