The Elysian Fields, in Greek mythology, are the paradise where gods and nobles spend eternity in the afterlife. It is believed that the inhabitants live in perfect happiness, similar to the Christian Garden of Eden. In the exquisite meadows, the inhabitants make music, sing, and even play sports.
Most religions believe in an afterlife: an idyllic paradise where the sorrows of earthly life are replaced by lush green fields, flowing streams of water and wine, and blissful peace. Similar to the Garden of Eden
Location of the Elysian Fields
Homer believed that paradise was located in the west, at the end of the Earth. He postulated that it was on the shores of the Ocean, a river that flowed around the Earth. Hesiod referred to the Elysian Fields as the Island of the Blessed and considered them to be located in the same area.
According to some sources, there may have been a second Elysian Fields. This underworld was separated from Hades by the river Lethe. Paradise was promised to the initiates of the mystery cults of Demeter, Persephone, and Hecate, among others. They were taught that if they lived virtuous lives, they would be elevated to the status of gods after death and become immortal.
With their new immortality, they could access the promised utopia and live in eternal bliss. Sometimes, the two concepts of the Elysian Fields were combined, and if a soul passed through the Elysian Fields of the underworld three times, it would progress to the Isle of the Blessed, or ultimate paradise. When later Greek writers evaluated the legend of the Elysian Fields, they posited that the place was at the mouth of the Danube River and the Island of the Blessed, potentially in the Atlantic Ocean.
Sources
Homer describes the Elysian Fields as a paradise in his works, The Odyssey. Hesiod, in his poem Works and Days, also mentions the Isle of the Blessed. The Greek poet Pindar believed that paradise was contained on a single island. Virgil describes the fields as shady, with a temperate climate, and possessing their own sun and stars. Dante assumed that the Elysian Fields were the highest level of hell, where non-Christians were sent instead of heaven.
In later accounts of paradise, such as Friedrich Schiller’s Ode to Joy, Schiller sees the fields filled with song, joy, and games. In the 16th century, a garden on the outskirts of the Tuileries Palace in France was named the Champs-Élysées. The name translates as the Elysian Fields and was later retained for the iconic avenue in Paris. The playwright and poet William Shakespeare made further reference to the idyllic afterlife. He used the term in his play Twelfth Night, referring to a general paradise.
Who can enter?
Initially, only the gods, and those favored by them, could enter paradise, but in later writings, it seemed as if a wider population was able to gain access. Those who lived a virtuous life could also enjoy the eternal happiness offered by the heavenly realm.
The euphoric realm was said to be ruled by Cronus, according to Pindar and Hesiod, while Homer believed that Rhadamanthus was the ruler. When mortals entered Hades, they were sent to the Elysian Fields if they were virtuous, to the Asphodel Meadows if they had been good and bad, and to Tartarus if they were totally evil. Souls heading for the Elysian Fields first drink from the river Lethe and forget their suffering on Earth.
Modern references
Many neo-pagans believe that Elysium is a multi-layered paradise with lush green fields and bubbling streams of water and wine. Particularly virtuous neo-pagans can enter the Golden City and enjoy a blissful eternity. In 1972, it was referred to as Elysium Mons, a volcano in the volcanic province of Elysium on Mars. In 2013, a science fiction film called Elysium was released. The plot tells the story of extremely wealthy citizens who reside in a man-made paradise called Elysium.
Perhaps we have a paradise ahead of us, once we leave our mortal discord behind. However, a river of Lethe would be an essential element in the journey to idyllic happiness, for without its soothing sweep to empty our frenzied minds, we would never be able to relax in paradise!
