We often hear the word “Grim Reaper” when October 31 appears in our calendar every year. Halloween, also called as the Hallows’ Eve, because it is the evening before All Saint’s Day. Young children dressed themselves with their “spookiest” costumes, and played pranks in the neighborhood in order to have candies and sweets. Nevertheless, how can you relate the Grim Reaper to Halloween? What comes in your mind when you heard the word "Grim Reaper"? Death, yes, death.
The Grim Reaper. How does he look like? What is his purpose? Well, according to Kum Martin, an online leading expert, and the writer or the article, “Grim Reaper Origin and History”, he said that Grim Reaper is the symbol of death. He is usually depicted as a skeleton wearing a black cloak and handling a large scythe and a hour glass. In other folklore and myths, he rides on either a horse or a carriage. He emits this "sinister character" thing, which is why most people fear seeing him.
The Grim Reaper is also known as the "Angel of Death"(Malach HaMavet), "Devil of Death", "Angel of Dark and Light" or "Angel of the Abyss". But, in the end, we all refer to Death. Grim Reaper personifies death. People fear death even though we do not know something true about the Afterlife and even if death is inevitable.
Not only seeing the Grim Reaper makes the people shiver with anxiety, but also the message it conveys whenever you see him can scare all the living. Then, what is it about him that is interesting? The answer is, he is believed to be the carrier of the souls to the Afterlife. In some cases, the Grim Reaper can actually cause the victim's death, that is why people fear to see him. When you see him, it means that it is your time to leave the mortal world. But, in some other stories, the Grim Reaper has no control on who dies first and next, because he merely guides the souls of the dead to its way to the Afterlife.
Just like Lady Justice, the blind lady holding a sword and a scale who symbolizes Blind Justice, Grim Reaper is also filled with so much meaning. In the article " How the Grim Reaper Works: Symbolism of the Grim Reaper" by William Harris, he tells about what the image of the Grim Reaper symbolize.
First is the Skeleton or Skull. It mainly refers to the fear of obliteration. Well, it will surely make sense if death is depicted with skeleton, bones and skulls.
Next is the Black Cloak or what the Reaper wears. It means that mourning is next to death. Since the ancient times, cloaks are used when people mourn their love ones death. Also, "Black", the color of the cloak means evil. This also makes the Grim Reaper more mysterious.
The Scythe. The scythe represents the role of the Reaper. Denotatively, scythe is used to reap, cut, or grain grass. Just like what farmers do their crops, the Grim Reaper harvests the souls needed to be brought either in Hell or in Heaven.
Lastly, the Hour glass. Whenever you say "hour glass", you refer to time. The Grim Reaper holds an hour glass too. He let us know that our days are numbered, and when the sand on the first bulb runs out, it is our time to leave, whether we like it or not.
In conclusion, the Grim Reaper, also known as the "Angel of Death" is the one of personifies Death. He creates a very important persona in our culture. However, I wonder why the personification of death, could not have a friendlier image. It is maybe because, we all know that Death is the antithesis of Life. And maybe, death is a real mystery to us mortals.
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