Chapter Text
Locations and Environment
There are seven rings of Hell, each situated vertically on top of each other, and each one ruled by a different member of the Seven Deadly Sins. From top to bottom it goes:
- Pride (ruled by Lucifer)
- Wrath (ruled by Satan)
- Gluttony (ruled by Bee-lzebub)
- Greed (ruled by Mammon)
- Lust (ruled by Asmodeus)
- Envy (ruled by Leviathan)
- Sloth (ruled by Belphegor)
Hellborn demons can travel between rings through a Hell Elevator (that I'm affectionately calling the Hellevator), which are are enormous elevators (that resemble giant gondolas or train cars) that go up and down between rings. They can be accessed through (what I’m calling) Hellevator Stations.
- Sinners are confined to the Pride Ring and cannot traverse to the other six rings (which makes sense given they are part of Lucifer's Divine Punishment). According to Vivziepop, if they try a barrier prevents them from leaving.
- HEADCANON: Given the use apples, eyes, and white and gold in the vaguely angelic decor of the station, station concourse, Hellevator, and waiting areas, I believe Lucifer designed and built the entire Hellevator system/stations.
The Hellevator isn’t the only way between rings.
- There are also train and bus systems that can travel between rings.
- It is also possible to find natural passages between rings, such as quarries, abysses, and mines connecting the Wrath and Pride Rings.
Though the Pride Ring is solely his, Lucifer outranks all the other Sins and is King of all of Hell.
We see the Pride Ring the most in Hazbin Hotel, but here is what we know from Helluva Boss:
- While the Pentagram/Pentagram City is the largest city in the Pride Ring, it's not the only city. Helluva Boss takes place in Imp City in the Pride Ring, being located in Pride's "Second Circle." This leads me to believe the Pride Ring has "Nine Circles" that contain cities (going off a comment by Katie Killjoy in the pilot).
- Imp City was founded in 1981 (however, this was in the pilot so it may no longer be canon).
- Imp City has designated Exorcist Free Zones.
- The pentagram in the Pride sky is not visible in Imp City.
- Imp City has emergency services such as firefighters.
- Hell's Courthouse is located in the Pride Ring.
- The Pride Ring has a location called The Royal Circle, though it is unknown what that is exactly.
Hell has various species of large carnivorous plants, as seen in the home of Stolas Goetia.
The Wrath Ring looks like a Wild West wasteland (if wastelands had volcanos that have giant floating orbs of lava above them) with orange skies, mesas, deserts, and mines (many of which are abandoned). It also has farms that have the responsibility of supplying food to the other six rings. Harvests are celebrated with a yearly festival.
- Wrath experiences flaming twisters.
- It also has cities called Los Satanio and Ragesburg.
- It has section of wasteland called the Bad Man Lands that has a very "outlaw aesthetic."
The Greed Ring has green skies, as well as an ocean, and is very industrial, smoggy, and polluted.
- It also has cities such as Mint City, Notamafia Town, Ransom, and Mammopolis.
- It has large banks that are frequently robbed.
- The Greed Ring has a helicopter hanger that allows helicopters to travel between rings.
It frequently rains in the dark blue skies of the Lust Ring. (This might be because it's situated between two rings with oceans).
- It has locations such as the Crystal Stadium.
- The unnamed city we usually see is a neon metropolis with many sex-related businesses such as strip clubs, love hotels, and BDSM gear stores.
The Sloth Ring is filled with puffy clouds and has little floating islands with iridescent waterfalls streaming to the surface in its pink sky.
- It is said to be the nicest ring, and is home to nice spas and medical treatment centers.
- It also has cities called Dreamsville and Snoozeville.
The Gluttony Ring has a honey-colored, honeycomb-patterned sky, with low-hanging blue clouds that reach the ground. It has orange palm-like trees along with other interesting foliage.
- It also has a city called Beelzehaven.
We have yet to see the Envy Ring, but it may have an ocean given Leviathan’s aquatic appearance, and has a town called Levitowne.
Lucifer owns his own theme park in the Pride Ring called Lu Lu World, which is very popular! Mammon however shamelessly rips it off with his own park Loo Loo Land in the Greed Ring (until three certain imps burned it down).
Heaven has Heaven-born angels called Cherubs, who live in Cherub Town- indicating Heaven has various towns and cities.
Hell weapons (or perhaps Hell items in general) are naturally hot and will eventually burn the hands of humans if they pick them up. (I think- it's a little ambiguous in Helluva Boss Short #4.)
In “Seeing Stars,” it is stated that there exists “deep Eldritch recesses of the cosmos,” where a creature (or creatures) called a colossus exists. One is named Azathoth, and every thousand years his condensed tears (made of the hopes and dreams of every living being that never came to be) go shooting through the night sky. This is a celestial event called- rather obviously- Azathoth’s Tears.
- Humans/Mortals are only able to perceive it as a meteor shower, but demons can see it for what it really is.
Biology
We now know each of the Sins created a different Hellborn species in Hell.
- Lucifer created the Ars Goetia (which is why they look vaguely angelic and probably why they are the most powerful Hellborns beneath the Sins).
- Satan created Imps to be an obedient workforce (which is why we see them often in service positions like baristas or as servants to the elite).
- Beelzebub likely created Hellhounds.
- Belphegor likely created the sheep/goat-like Baphomets.
- Asmodeus likely created Succubi.
- There is no solid evidence to which kind Leviathan and Mammon created, though Mammon may have created loan shark demons (different from the ones who attacked Mimzy) and/or dinosaur demons (which we see in Greed), and Leviathan may have created Infestor Demons and other aquatic demons (like Glitz and Glam).
Imps are a dimorphic species! Male Imps have white hair and black-and-white striped horns, while females have dark hair and black segmented horns.
- Imps have red skin, though shades vary from vibrant to more muted.
- Imps typically have yellow sclera with red irises, and slit-pupils.
- Imps tend to be pretty short- less than five feet tall.
- Imps are immune to ordinary fire (though not hellfire). Burns and other scars turn their skin white.
- Imps can make growling, hissing, and purring sounds.
- Imps have prehensile tails they can use to grab objects, and tails also seem to be a sensitive area- both for pain and pleasure when touched by another.
- Imps have a chameleon-like tongue they can use to snatch food into their mouths.
- The black stripes on a male Imp’s horns fade to gray as they get older.
Hellhounds can come in many different breeds- from wolves to poodles to dalmatians, and more!
- Hellhounds typically have red sclera and white irises.
- They can also change forms from a two-eyed, bipedal werewolf-esque form to a six-eyed, quadrupedal form.
- Hellhounds have powerful noses and are able to sniff out their targets easily- even if the only thing they have is the target’s name on a list.
- Hellhounds can contract an illness called Hellbies, and must receive a yearly shot for it (though they can only make appointments for it five years in advance apparently).
The term “Succubi” seems to be used to collectively describe both males and females of the species in this universe (though Succubus is used singularly for females while Incubus is used singularly for males- as seen in translated runes in a book on Asmodeus).
- Succubi usually have pink, reddish-pink, or reddish-purple skin.
- They tend to have yellow sclera with pink or red irises, and slit-pupils.
- They have fangs.
- Most seem to have white, gray, or black hair.
- They have black-tipped horns, long spaded tails, and bat-like wings they can use to fly.
- Succubi can sing songs and/or project an aura that stokes lust in humans.
Baphomets are goat-like demons.
- They typically have digitigrade legs with hooves, goat-like faces, and a candle-like horn on their heads that emits flames.
- They come in a variety of colors, most commonly vivid pinks, purples, blues, oranges, and yellows.
- Many have wings, though some do not.
Infestor Demons are aquatic Hellborn demons that can possess other people's bodies, view their memories, as well as make them experience frightening hallucinations.
-
Infestor Demons feed off the negative emotions of their victims- Rolando notes Blitzø’s insecurities are “intoxicating.”
Hellborn demons and Hell animals (rats, hogs, etc) have black blood/organs while Sinners retain the red blood they had in life.
Like most demons, Hellborn demons' eyes glow in low light/darkness and when angered.
Most Hellborn demons are largely mortal and can be permanently killed without the use of angelic steel (unlike Sinners who can regenerate if angelic steel is not used).
- However, the noble Ars Goetia are largely immortal- they seem to age normally in their youth but stop at some point- but still can be harmed and weakened with angelic steel and other blessed objects.
Many of the Ars Goetia are birds, but there are others who resemble other animals, such as lynxes, horses, deer, and more.
- A Goetic demon will also display traits and habits from the animal they present as. For example, an owl Goetia will like to eat rats and have the ability to turn their head nearly 360 degrees.
Sinners cannot reproduce, but Hellborn can. (We see Angel Dust tending to baby Imps in “Speedrun to Redemption.")
- Young/Baby Imps are called “Implings.”
- Hellborn demons can also crossbreed- there is an Imp/Succubus hybrid bouncer at Ozzie's, as well as other combinations throughout the show.
There is a type of Hellborn demon called a Possessor, but we don’t know anything about them.
Some Hellborn demons can magically disguise themselves as humans. Ars Goetia, Succubi, Infestors, and Hellhounds are shown to be capable of this. However, this may also be a spell that can be learned rather than just an innate ability- it's unclear. Barbie Wire appears to use an Asmodean Crystal to disguise herself in Helluva Boss S2E5.
Business and Culture
Hell has a hierarchy. It goes:
- King Lucifer Morningstar
- Queen Lilith Morningstar and Princess Charlotte Morningstar
- The rest of the Seven Deadly Sins
- The Ars Goetia
- Overlords
- Normal Sinners
- Hellborns
- "Lesser" Hellborns like Imps and Hellhounds.
Paimon is the King of the Ars Goetia, and there are other ranks like princes, dukes, and marquis.
- The Ars Goetia have various responsibilities in the name of serving Hell- Prince Stolas for example observes space and divines prophecies from the stars.
- Ars Goetia are considered old enough to learn their responsibilities and begin studying how to serve Hell when they turn 10 years old.
- Ars Goetia also lead "legions," though it is unclear what that means exactly.
Demon Royalty and the Sins have sigils that can be drawn and then used to summon them to another location, even the Living World.
While Hell doesn't have a lot of laws and rules, there ARE laws and rules. Vivzie once compared it to a prison system, where there are those on the top who make the rules and those at the bottom who are left vulnerable.
- I assume that while there are laws that apply to all of Hell, the Sins have their own laws they create for their specific rings.
- The Hell Courthouse appears to be for Hellborn demons who break Hell Law, and are judged by the Seven Deadly Sins themselves. It is unknown if Sinners can be tried in this courthouse at all.
- Cloaked Hellborn demons called Reapers act as law enforcement officers, as well as any other Hellborn demons who work beside them.
- There are prisons for Hellborns in Hell, such as the one Moxxie is thrown into after being caught robbing a bank in Greed.
- Some Hell Laws are as follows:
- Sinners cannot leave the Pride Ring (they physically can't anyway though).
- Lower-ranked demons cannot steal or use magical items belonging to high-ranked demons for undocumented personal use.
- It is illegal to travel to the Living World without proper documentation or permission, such as Succubi using Asmodean Crystals to legally work in the Living World.
- Demons in the Living World must use a human disguise to hide their identities, and they must not allow themselves to be caught by humans or let humans see proof of Hell. (Though it is unknown if there are exceptions, such as a higher-ranked demon being directly summoned to the Living World by humans using their sigil. Stolas has been summoned before by cults.)
- Betrayal from a member of demon royalty is treason.
- Not necessarily a law, but the lives of the Ars Goetia have more worth than “lesser” demons like Imps. A crime that what get an Imp executed would have a less harsh punishment for a Goetic demon.
Succubi and Infestor Demons are some of the only demons allowed legally to go into the Living World. The former do so using Asmodean Crystals to travel between realms to spread lust and sin among humans, as well as other jobs.
- It is unknown for what reason the Succubi spread lust, but I headcanon they can siphon lustful energy from humans- either for their own benefit or for Asmodeus.
- And it appears other demons can apply to get crystals to conduct business in the Living World, like Imps. Barbie Wire is allowed a crystal acquire human world heroin for a store in the Lust Ring, and I.M.P gains one to travel to the Living World to kill targets.
An Asmodean Crystal is a magical jewel that can open portals to the Living World, as well as to other rings of Hell. They are often worn/disguised as jewelry. Owning one means being under Asmodeus’ jurisdiction, and thus the user can travel to Earth legally without suffering any consequences.
- Crystals must be registered to a user, implying they are the only one who can use their individual crystal.
Hellborn sometimes use exclamations such as “What the Heaven?!"
- Along those lines, Hellborns also make exclamations to the rulers of their birth sin- i.e, the beings who created them, just like humans say “Oh my God.”
- It's for this reason you will hear Sinners say "Oh my God" instead of naming Lucifer or any of the Sins.
- For example, Imps will say "Satan fucking dammit," or "Thank Satan."
- Ars Goetia use exclamations like "Oh my Lucifer!"
- It is unknown if Lucifer created the Sins, but Satan has been heard saying "What in Lucifer's Hell?" Although this might just be a way of showing respect, acknowledging it was Lucifer who created Hell in the first place.
Instead of "blessing" things for good luck or prosperity, demon royalty "curses" them. Ex: "I curse this harvest!"
- This is done as part of the yearly festival in Wrath mentioned earlier, called The Harvest Moon Festival, which includes a series of dangerous challenges called the Pain Games, and ends with Prince Stolas creating a portal to shine the light of Earth’s harvest moon down on Wrath to “curse” the harvest.
As noted in the hierarchy, Imps and Hellhounds are seen as lower class citizens.
- “Fire toads” is a derogatory term for Imps.
- Imps are noted to be hired as expendable muscle, and it is considered odd for an Imp to run their own business because they are usually expected to work under others as Satan intended.
- Hellhounds often work in Security or Bodyguard positions under the famous and elite.
- Orphan Hellhounds can be adopted from Hellhound Adoption Foundation centers. The one Loona was adopted from looked more like a poorly maintained prison than any place for children- it is unknown if this is the norm.
- Hellhounds tend to be seen more like animals than actual people. They are sometimes adopted by other demons as pets or for labor despite them being sentient beings.
“Succu-bitch” may be a rude term for Succubi (or it was an insult Blitzø came up with on his own).
There is the concept of a “Demon Duel,” where two demons (or two groups of demons) challenge each other. Though whether there is actually fighting involved or it’s simply a wager of “who can do better than the other in a task” is unclear.
Hellborn demons celebrate a holiday called Sinsmas, where they take part in activities to honor their birth sin (or any sin, really). Imps get into fights to honor Wrath, Hellhounds feast to honor Gluttony, etc. Children also wait for the Krampus to deliver gifts and beware Black Hatter, who will beat up demons with his hat hands (guy is made out of hats apparently).
- They also sing carols, hang up pretty lights, wear fun sweaters, play board games, and decorate trees with Seven Sins-themed ornaments and tree toppers, so it's basically like their Christmas.
- Though many Hellborn don't seem aware that humans/Sinners have their own holiday called Christmas.
- Ars Goetia don't celebrate Sinsmas because "fun is free and they can afford nice things." (Though I personally would argue they are celebrating through this act of Pride.)
- Lucifer used to scare Charlie with stories the Black Hatter. “Go to bed on time or the Black Hatter will get you!”
There are objects in the Living World that can protect humans from demons, such as creating a barrier when they try to harm them. However, whether or not they work seems to rely on if the individual believes they can. For example, Emberlynn Pinkle wore a piece of merchandise that was a recreation of a necklace from an anime called Akuma no Otto, which protected its wearer from demons in the show. And while it was just a toy, it genuinely protected Emberlynn from harm when Blitzø first attempted to kill her.
Halloween is the one night a year Hellborn can freely travel to Earth/the Living World, though the full extent of this is unknown.
The scent of the Living World seems to be repulsive to Hellborn- newly arrived Sinners are said to “reek” of it.
Ghosts do not exist. When a human dies, they either go to Heaven or Hell.
- Although apparently, cryptids such as Sasquatch/Big Foot DO exist.
Imp City has an open air market, and other businesses:
- Mr. Sudz: A laundromat.
- Pridiner: A diner that boasts of serving Sinners since 1220 (maybe- the sign is a little hard to read in “Sinsmas”).
- Frock Off! Respectfully Unapproachable Clothing: A trendy clothing store.
- Cryptic Couture: A clothing store.
- Bathory’s Day Spa: An actually pretty nice day spa with mud baths and manicure and horn-care services.
- Wacky Wally Wackford’s Fun Time Emporium: An arcade center, though it was destroyed by Millie and her sister during the latter’s visit.
There is a fancy cafe in the Pride Ring called The Richest Cup, where we see Stolas, Stella, and her brother visit in “Western Energy.” Its motto is “Where the Poor Pour For You!”
There is a store in (presumably) the Pride Ring called Stylish Occult, which sells many different products, including weird taxidermy.
There is a company called Succ Ink that occupies a floor in the same building as I.M.P- it presumably specializes in sending Succubi to the Living World to seduce humans. Verosika Mayday occasionally does freelance work for the company.
Wally Wackford is an imp who runs Wacky Wally Wackford’s Wacky Idea Factory where he hires people to invent things he can sell and exploit. He is also an inconvenient torch-seller, bartender, mailman, festival host, and businessman.
There is a celebrity interview/gossip magazine in Hell called ImpGossip.
There is an erotic novel in Hell called Imps in the Sheets.
According the Hazbin Hotel playbill, Lucifer used to do performances with the Seven Deadly Sins. This makes sense as each Sin- according Vivzie- is based on a different circus act. Some are confirmed, but the rest are theories:
- Lucifer: Ringmaster
- Satan: Strongman
- Beelzebub: Animal Tamer/Act
- Mammon: Clown
- Asmodeus: Fire Breather
- Leviathan: Freak Show
- Belphegor: Magician
However, they don’t seem to do performances anymore (probably long before Lucifer’s seven-year absence). Asmodeus at one point says Mammon doesn’t even do clown stuff anymore.
Each of the Seven Deadly Sins have their own apps!
- Lucifer: Lucimaster
- Mammon: Moneymakerz Bank
- Beelzebub: BeeEats
- Satan: Satan Workouts
- Asmodeus: Lustinder
- (Parody of Tinder)
- Leviathan: EnVee
- (Parody of TikTok)
- Belphegor: Sleepy Pillz
Voxtek has its own streaming service app called Voxflix.
There are also other apps like Sinstagram (parody of Instagram) and a Hell Map app, and an app for restaurant called WackDonalds.
Hell-O is a phone service provider in Hell.
There is a type of flatscreen TV called a HellG.
Hell's television network can pick up programming from the Living World/Earth (like Ghostfuckers) and Heaven (like the C.H.E.R.U.B. commercial). (Though we now know this is because Vox pirates television from the other two realms.)
- This also seems to give Hellborn and Sinners access to Living World films such as Shrek, Titanic, or Frozen.
Living World plays are performed in Hell. References have been made to characters seeing Cats and Les Miserables.
There is a soap opera aired in Hell called Hell-a-Novela, featuring Imp actors (and presumably other Hellborn species) and has characters named Gabriella and Alejandro in dramatic plot lines. It has two seasons so far.
Asmodeus has a factory in the Lust Ring where he produces sex toys and other lustful accessories. He also runs a lustful lounge/club called Ozzie's.
Additionally, the unnamed neon city where Ozzie’s and Asmodeus’ personal tower are located has a variety of other businesses. (Though we just see them from the front, so these are mostly guesses.)
- Hubby Hotel: I assume a love hotel.
- XOXO Motel: I assume another love hotel.
- Fun House: I don’t know, but the explicit neon signs make me think it’s a sex club.
- Chuckle Fucks: I assume a sex-themed comedy club.
- Hanky Panty: I assume a lingerie store.
- Position: I don’t know, but given it looks like it has a store front, I assume it’s a bed/mattress store.
The Lust Ring has a newspaper called Lust Ring News with the motto “We have the horny.”
For roughly fifteen years Mammon has run a clown contest in the Greed Ring to see who will be his top performer and the face of his clownish brand (that he can fully exploit). The Imp jester Fizzarolli won the last ten years before he quit.
- Kitty, Valentino's little robot attendant, is a modified Robo-Fizz, which are multi-purpose robot companions created by Asmodeus and sold by Mammon. (The Robo-Fizz line has since been discontinued since Fizzarolli quit Mammon's employ.)
Mammon has his own board game called Mammonopolli- which appears to be a parody of Monopoly. Its motto is "Get Greedy or Get Out!"
Mammon might also run the oil and gas industry given his logo is seen on oil containers.
Mammon also prints currency in Hell (and runs the banks- which is called Moneymakerz Bank going off his app).
- The currency is called "Souls” (using $), though I don't think it's made of ACTUAL souls. Knowing Mammon he just thought it was funny. The smallest bill we've seen is a $100 bill, which depicts his face. (The canonicity of this fact is up in the air because the updated version of the episode we learn this in makes the money look less detailed- it still has Mammon's face but no names or amounts).
Belphegor seems to run Hell's medical industry, as she controls pharmacies that sell medications like Happy Pills, and the Sloth Ring has various hospitals (like St. An's) and rehab clinics (like Belphegor’s Healing Hearts Rehab Center).
Satan acts as the Lead Judge of Hell's Courthouse, and in Lucifer's seven-year absence, the leader of the Seven Deadly Sins.
- Satan likes tell people he ruled Hell long before Lucifer fell. Vivzie has confirmed this is not true and he’s lying because Lucifer isn’t around these days to stop him. Lucifer was first.
The Wrath Ring has a rundown motel called Hideaway Motel. “The Guy That Tried 2 Kill U Def Isnt Here.”
Beelzebub siphons the positive, indulgent energy of people who attend her parties to create honey, which is then used to make Beelzejuice- a popular mead and alcoholic drink she sells in Hell (I actually think we can see a cursive sign for it next to Husk's bar in Hazbin Hotel). Though if a mortal creature drinks it, they mutate into an Eldritch abomination.
Leviathan owns a currently unnamed coffee chain that seems to be the Hell-equivalent of Starbucks. (The logo is seen on merch for Moxxie’s overly-long coffee order.)
Hell has various food brands- here are a few:
- Mammon’s Greed Seeds: Cereal that has Fizzarolli as a mascot.
- Mammon Cola: Soda with Fizzarolli as a mascot. Advertised as “It’s better than sex!”
- Wacky Charms: Cereal sold by Wacky Wally Wackford. It costs $99.
- Glut-Honey: Carbonated Beelzejuice with Natural Flavors (and harder than ethanol).
- Brimstone Bites: Snack food. It can come in “Fucking Hot” flavor.
- Chaos Crisps: Snack food. It can come in cotton candy flavor.
- Cream Pie: Whipped cream brand.
- Choccy Milk: Chocolate milk brand.
Some cherubs run a service called C.H.E.R.U.B. to bless people on Earth on behalf of their loved ones in Heaven. Though it may have shut down because the three founders got barred from Heaven after accidentally killing a human.