Túlvilág

Túlvilág is a Hungarian term that translates to "afterlife" or "otherworld." It is a concept deeply embedded in Hungarian folklore, mythology, and religious beliefs, referring to the realm or state of existence that follows death. The specific characteristics and nature of the Túlvilág vary significantly across different cultural traditions and historical periods within Hungary.

In some interpretations, the Túlvilág is depicted as a place of reward or punishment, akin to Christian concepts of heaven and hell, where souls are judged based on their earthly deeds. In other traditions, it is seen as a shadowy, ethereal realm where the deceased continue to exist in a less tangible form. Access to and the nature of this realm are often believed to be influenced by rituals, ceremonies, and the spiritual state of the individual at the time of death.

Hungarian folklore often describes the Túlvilág as being located beyond a river, a forest, or a mountain, acting as a natural barrier between the world of the living and the realm of the dead. There are often narratives about journeys to the Túlvilág, undertaken by shamans, heroes, or those seeking lost souls. It can also be a place where ancestral spirits reside, who may interact with or influence the living. The concept is not monolithic and has been shaped by various pagan, Christian, and even more modern philosophical influences throughout Hungary's history.