The ''Hell Mouth''

By Crusader1307

 A Medieval painting and literary style, “The Mouth of Hell” (or Hell Mouth), was a graphic representation of the “perils of eternal damnation” that awaited one if “sin” and an “immoral life” was clung to. The theory arose in the early 9th Century (propagated by The Catholic Church). The Church began to commission painters (mostly Monks), to depict such evils. Normally, the mouth of an enormous Demon or Devil was done. Inside the mouth of this beast was placed many hundreds of souls (with many falling out as well) – waiting to be devoured. The more graphic the better. Later, when Mystery Plays became the “fashion”, many Actors would recreate a “Hell Mouth” on stage (with equally terrifying images). The “Hell Mouth” theory would continue well into the late Renaissance Era as a focal point of religious painting. The “Mouth of Hell” was also featured heavily in Dante's “Divine Comedy” or “Inferno”.