This is a controversial story in Christian belief, and not necessarily still taught by everyone. This story comes from the teaching of the early church. The Harrowing of Hell is a doctrine in Christian theology which states that Jesus "descended into Hell".

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "By the expression 'He descended into Hell', the Apostles' Creed confesses that Jesus did really die and through his death for us conquered death and the devil 'who has the power of death' In his human soul united to his divine person, the dead Christ went down to the realm of the dead. He opened Heaven's gates for the just who had gone before him."

According to all accounts, Christ died, went down to hell and released everyone who had been there since the time of Adam and Eve forward and cleared the way for them to move out of sorrow and into heaven.

That felt like a very powerful image. And a bit of a dark one too... but it was one that inspired me because although it is dark, it also speaks of hope and redemption, and that's what I wanted to come across... the sense of initial sadness with the sense of hope that always follows with time.