Grim Reaper

For the being of a similar name, see Reaper.

The Grim Reaper was a representation of Death that appeared in the mythology of many cultures of the planet Earth. The Grim Reaper became prominent in folklore during the Middle Ages, displacing earlier conceptions of Death as a benevolent, female figure. (WEB: torchwood.org.uk) Early woodcuts showed 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 local humans. The fear was especially effective 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.