Image by Midjourney.com
For thousands of years, various cultures have had figures to represent death. One of the most common and enduring of these is the Grim Reaper—usually a skeletal figure, who is often shrouded in a dark, hooded robe and carrying a scythe to “reap” human souls. But how and when did this imagery come to be associated with death?
The Grim Reaper seems to have appeared in Europe during the 14th century. It was during this time that Europe was dealing with what was then the world’s worst pandemic, the Black Death, believed to be the result of the plague. It is estimated that about one-third of Europe’s entire population perished as a result of the pandemic, with some areas of the continent suffering far greater losses than others. The original outbreak of the plague occurred during 1347–51, and outbreaks then recurred several other times after that. So, clearly, death was something that the surviving Europeans had on their mind, and it is not surprising that they conjured an image to represent it.
But why the skeletal figure? Why the scythe? Why the robe? Skeletons are symbolic of death, representing the human body after it has decayed. The robe is thought to be reminiscent of the robes that religious figures of the time wore when conducting funerary services. The scythe is an apt image taken from agricultural practices of the time: harvesters used scythes to reap or harvest crops that were ready to be plucked from the earth…and, well, that’s kind of what happens when humans die: they are plucked from this earth. – https://www.britannica.com/story/where-does-the-concept-of-a-grim-reaper-come-from
The Grim Reaper in Breton Mythology
The Bretons are Celtic residents who immigrated to Brittany. Amongst many myths and legends of the culture is the Ankou. The Ankou is believed to be the figure that most resemble The Reaper as we know him today.
Within the Celtic Breton Culture, the Ankou is known to be the last person who died within the community. They are often recognised in the afterlife as having a lanky but gaunt stature with long white hair. They were traditionally known to transport the deceased in a wagon. A Celtic legend claims that the first Ankou was believed to be the first child of Adam and Eve.
The Grim Reaper in Greek Mythology
The way the Reaper is presented in Greek Mythology is quite different to how we see him/her in the more Westernised world. Known to be the twin brother of the ‘God of Sleep’ (Hypnos), and the Son of the ‘God of Night’ (Nyx), Thanatos is known as the ‘God of Peaceful Death’. Thanatos was almost an angelic character, known to end the lives of anyone he touched.
In comparison to the traditional ‘Grim Reaper’, instead of a black cloak. Thanatos had a pair of wings. In replacement of a Scythe to reap the souls of the dead from the earth, he carried a Sword. Also, instead of a gaunt, skeletal stature. Thanatos walked the earth as a young man, showing that the Ancient Greeks had nothing to fear of death.
How is Death presented in other cultures?
The list is endless on how death and the Grim Reaper are presented in other cultures; these just seem to be the main 3. In some way, the ‘Grim Reaper’ presents himself as a God, much like you would expect from other cultures and religions. – https://ariverofroses.com/legend-grim-reaper/
What’s that? You say you know all this already? OK. But Did You Know…
Reapers are able to possess humans. This may be how a few are shown to be able to manifest physically for humans to see them rather than being invisible to all but ghosts.
One of the laws of the universe is that after one incarnation of Death dies, the next Reaper to die will be resurrected and promoted to take Death’s place.
Despite appearing stoic at times, Reapers are apparently as capable at experiencing emotions as humans, as on many occasions Reapers have shown sorrow, annoyance, compassion and anger. They also appear to have free will, although they rarely act upon it.
Reapers are completely neutral beings, not caring for deals, fate or even each other at times, all they care about is maintaining the “Natural Order” of life and death. – https://supernatural.fandom.com/wiki/Reapers
The Grim Reaper’s preferred walking speed is 0.82 m/s (2 miles (about 3 km) per hour) under working conditions. – https://www.bmj.com/bmj/section-pdf/187406?path=/bmj/343/7837/Death_s_Dominion.full.pdf