Seven Deadly Sins
The Seven Deadly Sins and Dante’s Divine Comedy
What are the 7 deadly sins and what do they mean?
Perhaps you’ve heard of or see the 1995 film “Se7en” starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow. The basic plot for the film is the hunt for a serial killer who commits seven crimes based on the Seven Deadly Sins
The seven deadly sins are deeply rooted in Catholicism. The Catholic Church often refers to these sins as the Cardinal Sins or Capital Vices.
The 7 deadly sins are often thought of as pre-cursor sins, meaning committing one of these sins may breed or bring about other sins, which may then lead a person to break one of the 10 commandments.
We found some fun facts to go along with each sin. Not only will the list ninja explain each sin, but we will also let you know what punishment you will receive in hell if you are to commit each of these sins! You have the good fortune of receiving two lists for one today. YES! The first list below details each sin and the associated colors and animals for each sin.
We aren’t sure how relevant or fact based the hell list is since we haven’t committed these sins, then gone to hell to find out.
Basic List of What Happens in Hell for committing one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
| Sin | Punishment in Hell for the Sin | Color | Animal Association |
| Wrath | Dismembered Alive | Red | Bear |
| Greed | Cauldrons of boiling water | Yellow | Frog |
| Sloth | Thrown in the Snake Pits | Goat | Light Blue |
| Pride | Broken on the Wheel | Horse | Purple |
| Lust | Smothered in Fire | Cow | Blue |
| Envy | Put in Freezing Water | Dog | Green |
| Gluttony | Forced to Eat Rats, Toads, Snakes etc. | Pig | Orange |
Dante’s Divine Comedy List of What Happens in Hell for Committing one of the Seven Deadly Sins
Perhaps you’ve literate enough to have read Dante’s Divine Comedy, the epic poem of Dante’s journey through the nine circles of hell. In this poem, Dante travels thru each circle witnessing the souls who are punished for their sins as committed on earth. The List Ninja really likes the descriptive works of Dante and will rely on his journey into hell to help describe each of the seven deadly sins to you. Yes we know Dante threw an extra sin in there – so actually the list below has 8 sins. But an extra sin now and then won’t hurt right?
Detail of each Sin
Limbo – The First Circle of Hell
Limbo isn’t a sin, its jut a place you would go if you did not accept Jesus Christ our Savior Lord in Heaven Above as Your Father. IF you find yourself in Limbo, you won’t be physically punished, but you will have no hope of ever meeting Jesus Christ our Savior Lord in Heaven Above – so that is your punishment.
There is a guy named Minos who hangs out between Limbo and the Second Circle of Hell. He has a long tail, which he will wrap around his legs a certain number of times. The number of times he wraps his tail around himself will in turn determine which Circle of Hell you will be placed in.
Lust – The Second Circle of Hell
Lust, lust, lust…what does it mean to lust? Well the dictionary states: - noun: “to have intense sexual desire or appetite” Verb: “to have intense sexual desire.” Pretty much the same thing right? In this circle of hell, Dante states one will be blown about in a giant storm forever and ever Amen. The giant storm is meant to symbolize how powerful lust can be
Gluttony – The Third Circle of Hell
This seems to be an exciting circle. Luckily for the patrons of the Third Circle of Hell, they are accompanied by a Cerberus. Cerberus is the three headed hound of hell. As guardian of the Third Circle of Hell, Cerberus claws at the souls, biting and ripping their flesh over and over again. While on Earth the souls were comforted by their delicious foodies and wine. In hell they are punished by being forced to lie in cold mud and become dinner for the dog.
Greed – The Fourth Circle of Hell
On earth those that hoarded their cash money, are forced to spend eternity lugging around massive bags of gold. Likewise those that spent their money foolishly (like on drugs, sex and rock and roll) will also be forced to drag around bags of gold. These souls are watched over by Plutus, the God of Wealth
Wrath and Sullenness - The Fifth Circle of Hell
This Circle of Hell is located on the underground river Styx which surrounds the city of Dis.
Those who are guilty of Wrath will spend eternity fighting each other on the surface of the river. Those guilty of Sullenness will spend the rest of time underwater looking up. Another fun fact about this circle: When Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior on Earth as it is in Heaven was walking around for the month after his resurrection; he decided to take a three day trip to Hell. The purpose of this trip was to gather up a couple of his friends and bring them back to heaven with him. I guess his friends were either sullen or wrathful.
Heresy – The Sixth Circle of Hell
In Dante’s Inferno the sixth circle of hell is reserved for heretics, those who preach against the teachings of the church. I assume this means the Christian Church, since Dante talks a lot about Jesus as well. I am a bit confused by the mash up Dante has going on with the Greek Gods and the Christian Church, but that’s something I’m sure was discussed in the Spark Notes version.
Anyway, in this Circle of Hell, all heretics are trapped in flaming tombs so that they can burn forever.
Violence– The Seventh Circle of Hell
The Seventh Circle of Hell is for all of those who have been violent to themselves and others while on earth. You know, beating each other up, killing people, hurting animals etc. These violent people are placed in a river of fire. Depending on how violent you were and how much damage you caused will depend on how deep into the flaming river you are placed.
It sounds like those who committed suicide (violent to self) are turned into plants. But others are forced to stand on the river bottom completely covered in flames.
Those violent to God and Nature are also here. They are forced to walk on flaming sand forever and ever.
Fraud – The Eighth Circle of Hell
The Eighth Circle of Hell is for those guilty of fraud. Examples include, shoplifting, theft, grand theft auto, cheating at the dog track, counterfeiting, fortune telling, being a hypocrite, and lying politicians.
The punishments served to these fraud-doers, is the exact opposite of the sin they committed on earth.
Example: While on earth fortune tellers tried to see the future, so now and forever more, they will be forced to walk with their heads on backwards.
The smooth talking politicians (flatterers) will be forced to lie around for all eternity in a pile of feces.
Treachery – The Ninth Circle of Hell
The Ninth Circle which houses those being punished for treachery is located in the bowels of hell. Those who have betrayed a special relationship, such as cheating on their wife, will stand frozen up to their necks in the lake’s ice. Remember, as you enter each of these circles of hell, they have been continuing in a downward spiral. As you walk further and further around each circle, you see the worst of the worst.
Once you reach the very center of the Ninth Circle of Hell, you will find Satan. He gets to sit here because he has committed the worst sin of all. While Satan sits here, he eats people. He wouldn’t want to eat you since you aren’t famous. He only wants to eat Hitler, Brutus, Cassius and the other prominent sinners.
