Grim Reaper

For the being of a similar name see: Reaper

The Grim Reaper is a representation of Death that appears in the mythology of many cultures of the planet Earth. The Grim Reaper became prominent in folklore during the medieval ages, displacing earlier conceptions of Death as a benevolent, female figure. (WEB: torchwood.org.uk) Early woodcuts show a Weevil in a shroud and scythe, implying that the idea of the Grim Reapers came from Humans having associated the Weevils with death. In 1479 in Cardiff, Durac, seemingly a representation of Death who resembled a walking skeleton, appeared. (TW: Dead Man Walking)

In 1666 Heathrow, a group of Terileptils dressed up their android as the Grim Reaper to terrify the superstitious Humans local. The fear was especially prevelant due to an association of the reaper with Bubonic Plague. (DW: The Visitation)

The Grim Reaper also appears on the Death card of the Tarot.

Other information

 * The appearance of the Reapers has some similarity to that of the Grim Reaper.