We’ve been to Hell and back on the river Styx

Hell has been on the minds of many a builder lately as evidenced by Ralf Langer’s stunning creation. For those not yet familiar with the nine circles of Hell, the river Styx features prominently in both Greek and Christian mythology, and the ferryman (Charon or Phlegyas) is said to transport souls into the underworld. Like most city buses, the ferryman demands exact fare, the waters are black and murky, the landscape foreboding and if all that is not hellish enough, Styx’s “Come Sail Away” is played on an eternal loop. (Come on, you had to have seen that joke coming!) All kidding aside, this is truly an inspiring layout.

Crossing the Styx

The irregular shape of the base, trees and rocky outcrops all lend to a visually pleasing albeit nightmarish aesthetic. My favorite element however is the reflections on the water’s surface, and Ralf tells us it is not photographic trickery but rather a result of using black bricks in a SNOT (studs not on top) configuration. Are you intrigued so far? Then be sure to click on Ralf’s photostream as this is merely the first entry in a larger hellish collaboration featuring the Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. This one, Ralf says, is the brightest and cheeriest of all the entries so…yeah…enjoy the journey.

5 comments on “We’ve been to Hell and back on the river Styx

  1. Erik Tomlinson

    Fair-> “Fare”

    Also, the appropriate song is “Don’t Pay the Ferryman” by Chris de Burgh, obvs.

  2. R

    The river Styx exists in Greek mythology only. Please reference exactly where it is mentioned in the Bible by that name since you’ve stated that it is part of Christianity. (See, this is one of those times where you actually need to do research before opening your mouth because someone with more familiarity on the subject is calling you out)

  3. The Anonymous Hutt

    Well, I came here to say what R said, granted with a bit more civility.

    Is the river mentioned in Catholic writings? Being a Christian myself (but not a Catholic), I do not believe that the river is mentioned in the Bible.

  4. Dick N.

    How empty must your life be to rabidly fact check things on a Lego fan site and actually think it makes you superior? What a waste of precious life you are, R.

  5. Benjamin Stenlund

    Styx and the circles of Hell appear in what we might call, as Lino did, Christian mythology; namely, in Dante’s Inferno (part of his Italian Renaissance epic poem The Divine Comedy). They are not Biblical, nor are they even remotely doctrinal, and nowhere is that implied in the article. However, they do feature in a very famous Christian work of fiction that dialogues heavily with Classical mythology, sharing many important stylistic and thematic elements, hence the term “Christian mythology”.

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