The History of the Grim Reaper & the Deities of Death Around the World

[@k_dawg7475]

"You can be a King or a Street Sweeper, but everyone dances with the Grim Reaper"

[@TheGrimnReaper]

Exactly

[@TheSoCalledZoner1]

im gonna be a floor mopper i guess

[@maguffintop2596]

But don’t Fear the Reaper!

[@jomene1125]

DAYUUUUUUUUUUUM, spitting man

[@kimmoreels7950]

you got that qoute from a death row inmate right before his execution

[@J1P2K]

When I was making up my own gods and goddesses for an RPG, I had three different Grim Reapers. I never got around to giving them proper names. 1. The Lantern: Their job is to guild dead to the afterlife. 2. The Flute: Their job is to comfort and guild the souls of children. 3. The Dragger: Their job was to hunt down and drag those that feared their fates to the afterlife, using a hook and chain.

[@biblicallyaccuratecockroach]

That's an awesome concept; children would benefit from an extra bit of comfort in such a situation (I guess you took inspiration from the pied piper of hamelin?), and those who knew they had Fucked Up big time in life would not go in willingly. I remember the barrow wights from LotR were basically that, elves who died in battle but their souls refused to move on properly because they knew they would be judged. And now I'm imagining Scorpion's GET OVER HERE as the voice of the Dragger whenever they find one of those pesky fugitives 😂 This setup also allows a potential plot, where someone is killed unjustly and refuses to move on, and their living friends who know the truth are in a race against the clock to find them before the Dragger does. How does the Dragger know who's missing, is there a list and who writes it and could the list-writer become corrupt and willingly not write names in? Is it even possible to negotiate and right a wrong, or is death irreversible? Is it possible for an unscrupulous mage to harvest and store souls for use in dark magic, out of the Dragger's reach? Does the Dragger react differently to those who are truly trying to escape consequences and to those who are just scared out of their minds of the situation and thus run away in fear but aren't actually guilty? So many questions! Your concept has spiked my imagination 🤯

[@grammagangstarr]

Love it

[@danwilson1040]

Not worrying at all 😳

[@williebeam]

@@biblicallyaccuratecockroach 🧐🤔😲🤯

[@BlazeBuds]

Sounds awesome, love a good rpg. Enjoying Eso right now, love all the old mythology links and stuff

[@Azraelith]

Oh Death, the forgotten god... The force between light and dark... So beautiful and so ominous at the same time... ♡

[@xeixei6269]

Beautifully said!

[@Hynotama]

I am a bit surprised that you didn't mention Death, the horseman of the Apocalypse. In recent years, popular culture blured the line between the reaper and the horseman from the Christian Bible. They are often portrayed to be the same entity.

[@mill2712]

Unfortunate but he was covered in another video he made. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaCqaoV_gK6Djqc

[@DEATH-THE-GOAT]

_I feel violated! I need a safe space!_ _(mainly bc I'm thin skinned_ 🤔 _wait! I have no skin! All these micro aggressions will be the end of me)_ _"That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons, even _*_Death_*_ may die."_

[@DEATH-THE-GOAT]

@Zippy Dastrange _"one Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda."_ I have actually not come across Oda's work. Maybe I should remedy that

[@colleenross8752]

@Zippy Dastrange and he loves a good snack

[@karenphillips559]

This video might be more about cultural depictions of death than religious

[@Mujahid_Mahmood]

For all those interested on some more names, some other gods relating to death include; •Arawn - King of the Welsh Otherworld •Yama - Vedic God of Death and Dharma (the precursor and origin of King Yan and Enma) •Ah Puch (Alternatively: Ah Puach) - The Mayan God of Decay and the Ninth Hell •Mictlantecuhtli and Mictecacihuatl - The King and Queen duo Incharge of the Aztec Underworld •Ereshkigal - Mesopotamian Goddess of the Underworld or Kur •Nergal - Mesopotamian God of Inflicted death (Death by means of war, hunger, and disease) •Mot - Canaanite God of the Dead and Death •Veles - Slavic God of Magic, Volcanoes, and the Underworld (at times) •Scàthach - Sometimes said to govern the Dead •Februus - Etruscan God of purification and death •Orcus - God of the Underworld, at times synonymous with Dis Pater •Erlik (or Erlik Khan) - God of death and chaos to the ancient pagan Turks •Manat - Pre-Islamic Arabian Goddes of Magic, fate, and death

[@williamwhitney5266]

Saturn,Cronus,Aion

[@indianpotatofarmer6508]

Yama and kali and many other gods of death and destruction do not get enough love from Hindus, I haven’t heard of half these gods but this got me curious and I’ll do some research on them

[@Mujahid_Mahmood]

@@williamwhitney5266 They’re all deities Incharge of either time or fate. Not necessarily death.

[@Mujahid_Mahmood]

@@indianpotatofarmer6508 Shiva’s a big name though, and an awesome one at that. There’s Mara, Dhumavati, Chitragupta, and many more. And they do get love from Hindus. Death and Destruction are major themes in Eastern beliefs particularly Hinduism and Buddhism. There’s no way they’d just neglect a huge part of their religion.

[@indianpotatofarmer6508]

@@Mujahid_Mahmood facts

[@nichhodge8503]

Eating the food of the underworld comes up in Japanese lore too. In Greek mythology the reason Persephone had to spend half the year with Hades was because she ate the food of the afterlife

[@dracone4370]

A few years back, I found a few accounts saying that the Valkyries riding horses was a mistranslation or construct of Medieval and Renaissance artists with statements about them actually riding wolves that were big enough to rival a horse in size; which some would say is pretty metal and is a much better fit for the general aesthetic of Norse mythology. Also, the stories of the Irish faerie known as the Dullahan also have it serving the role of a harvester of souls, but several accounts say it's only active during certain times of the year

[@lexiwexiwoo]

Both of those cultures were beaten down and traded into Christianity so much that its hard to know what was truly original. I do like the idea of the Valkyries being on Wolf-back lol

[@georgehouliaras7239]

In Greece we have 3 different versions of Death, sort of. 1st and more common is Charon. In mythology, he was the ferryman of the dead. Ancient Greeks used to put a coin on the corpse of a dead family member so his soul can give the coin to Charon and cross the other side. Those without a coin were left behind by Charon and were doomed to wander forever until they found a coin. Even to this day, we Greeks refer to Charon in some of some profanities like Να σε πάρει ο Χάρος(Charon takes you) in English this may seem light but a very offensive phrase for us. 2nd is Thanatos which is literally the Greek word for Death(Θάνατος). He is the personification of Death but plays a very minor role in Greek mythology. It is the 3rd option that takes his place in all thing death related. 3rd is not a personification of death. Hades ruling his namesake realm, the realm of the dead. I don't think that I need to give any details about him. Everybody knows about him at that point.

[@herpderp5727]

When you said 3 different versions of death I thought you'd be referring to the gods of violent, peaceful, and blessed death. Keres, goddesses of violent death, were said to drag dying soldiers into Hades, but they are powerless against gods (e.g. Zeus, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite and other immortals prayed upon) who saved their would-be victims. Thanatos himself, despite his grim personality, is the god of peaceful death, having a gentle touch akin to his twin brother Hypnos. Lastly, there's Macaria, though she's only mentioned in the Suda (a 10th century Byzantine encyclopedia). In it, she's described as the daughter of Hades (unnamed mother, though likely Persephone) and the goddess of blessed death, with her name literally meaning "blessed". Although, that could just be a euphemism for death since the dead are referred to as "the blessed ones".

[@georgehouliaras7239]

@@herpderp5727 To be honest, it's kinda hard to keep track all the Gods we had. Ancient Greeks would not only make a God out of everything but there would be multiple versions depending on the situation. There are literally different gods depending on where the wind is blowing or if the sun is rising etc etc.

[@georgehouliaras7239]

@Shannon Bolton Saying to someone "Να σε πάρει ο Χάρος"(Charon takes you) is essentially saying "Go to hell" However just like with Μαλακά, it can be used in a more casual friendly banter. It's not exactly offensive, it's just something you will never say to a stranger or someone outside your circle.

[@georgehouliaras7239]

@Shannon Bolton If memory serves, Charon was just the ferryman, he required a coin to pass the souls though River Styx. I don't remember much more though, sorry. It's been a while since I studied Greek Mythology.

[@ruyman90]

Wasn't Persephone a personification of death too? In some versions she even existed before Hades and her job was as a ruler. And in the most modern she is the one who sees over the pure souls and has a little paradise on the underworld were she resides.

[@smoke2351]

Great timing for this episode; autumn, living proof that death and decay is a beautiful thing

[@wcapewell3089]

Loved this video. Deities of death are my favourite in any mythology.

[@TheHornedKing]

Hey me too. They're allways so facinating, and say a lot about the culture they're from.

[@daltonsharp6254]

Gods of death and magic are my favorites

[@sinalo8976]

I love death. I love how essentially peacefully it is. People fear death and everything to do with which is why society associates evil with the grim reaper. They see as a figure viciously taking one's soul/life but life must always come to an end. Death is just doing its job. We are all going to die might as well embrace it rather than avoid it🤷🏾‍♀️.

[@jeramyharper7305]

i know what you mean. In the story I'm writing, I have a Goddess of Death that plays a critical role in how my story plays out with my main character.

[@jiyanmehta7250]

Try our Deity of Death quite a chill guy.

[@GothPaoki]

How ironic is it that the twin brother of Thanatos is sleep? Should add though in greek mythology Thanatos unlike most personifications of death in other cultures is a benevolent god who ensures safe passage to the souls.

[@odemata87]

Thought sleep was the cousin of death 💀

[@GothPaoki]

@@odemata87 nope they're brothers along with Day, Charon and a couple more

[@shadegreen5351]

@@odemata87 I can't believe that Nas would lie to me like that.

[@thomasmorrone893]

True that. The Keres are responsible for so-called "violent deaths." Thanatos was responsible for peaceful deaths.

[@ArvidDjarf-vh8tx]

Well a very VERY good KZbinr by the name Exurba12 (or something like that) made a video titled: Is sleep just death being shy.

[@JannaMcCue]

Nice job on this. Thanatos is a favorite of mine, as well as Hekate and Hel. I love the stories of the Chthonic deities

[@vexedinsanityarts2260]

Can u see my vision Goddess... ? If u allow me to sketch, ink , and paint pics of u...we can set a trend . All u have to do is pose for a small cosplay photo shoot. And have a few laughs learning the genealogy of your goddesshood....Tell me are u into art , poetry ,meditation,and chakra vibration....?

[@fumarc4501]

Death is not evil or an enemy. Death is a promise and should be greeted as an old friend.

[@LilGamez21]

I used to fear the Grim Reaper, but as I got older I started understanding that the Grim Reaper's job must suck. Most cases everyone has a reaper bound to come for your soul once you die, but to get the Grim Reaper you must be special. Edit: Ayo stop commenting on this post go talk to each other on a messager or something.

[@richardaaron4454]

I’ve seen him in the form of a shadow. It was during sleep paralysis but I cannot explain how terrified I was, it had a pointed hood/hooded robe on which was the only identifiable feature but I only saw it in the form of a shadow. I don’t know where it came from: my mind, another dimension or could I just see it at that time but it’s always here? I have no idea. My entire family died within a year, you can consider that coincidence but I do not.

[@milivapakovc4776]

@@richardaaron4454 🤣🙂😅

[@richardaaron4454]

@@milivapakovc4776 Unfortunately that’s a true story. I mean I don’t expect you to believe me. I probably wouldn’t either.

[@godetonter4764]

The Grim Reaper is a pretty cool dude, but I am attracted to Banshees myself

[@noaleche8100]

@@godetonter4764had a crazy vivid dream with one felt so real didn’t know what it was at first but I decided on banshee. kinda looked like a female “tormentor” from harry potter

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

Ah. September is only ending and it already feels like Spooktober. Nice.

[@squadgamerz3981]

Nuttvember is Cumming🤫

[@joshishere96]

Gabriel Belmont Dracula killed the figure of death and Satan simultaneously.

[@RavenGamingOverLord]

That is nice I guess

[@TheHornedKing]

Excellent video, and the artwork is fantastic. As a Norwegian, I really liked that you included Pesta, which I may add basically means "the plague" in Norwegian. We usually say "pest" (plague) or "pesten" (the plague) in this day and age.

[@lorrainegilmer4555]

Norway is on my bucket list. I'm half Danish and have wanted to go to for decades. Every time we went to DK, we never traveled outside the country because we wanted to spend as much time with family as possible.

[@DEATH-THE-GOAT]

@@lorrainegilmer4555 you are also very welcome to Sweden 🇸🇪😃👍

[@DEATH-THE-GOAT]

Yeah, we call it "pest" or "pesten". Fast mer korrekt vore att säga *Digerdöden* säger ni det i Norge också, "Digerdöden"?

[@Kringles12]

we have the same story in denmark

[@hahkog5797]

godt å se noen nordmenn her!

[@medusa_slayer]

It would be nice if you had also mentioned the Greek inspiration for Death, Kronos which is depicted with a scythe or sickle too and is often confused with the deity Chronos which has to do with time and thus the inevitable death.

[@TheGrimnReaper]

I am death I have been banished however I’m still being watched by several hundred ghost, demons, angels, etc. I don’t sleep anymore, I see them when I close my eyes for a second and a half then I see nothing. I feel them as I freeze, I hear them as I talk. I can sometimes see them walk and I always hear one’s clock, Tick Tock Tick Tock And it doesn’t ever stop I go insane in a house alone, ‘I think you need some help’ That’s what someone told me when I told them a part of this I wish that worked. I will be there when you die, I will make it painful if it isn’t already :D

[@Zeithri]

Anku's story makes me think of Chakan the Foreverman. Chakan, the greatest swordsman mocked Death itself as being inferior to him so Death took him up on his offer and in a long grueling battle did they duel until finally Chakan was victorious. He asked for life eternal and was granted it " _Until all supernatural evil is gone_ ". Eventually Chakan grew tired of immortality yet he could not die, so he set out to destroy all supernatural evil over hundreds if not thousands of years. Once he was done, he attempted suicide, yet he still would not die. Death laughed at him " _Now you understand the totality of your curse Chakan! Look up into the night sky - see all those billions and trillions of stars, so far away from you, impossible to reach. Ech of them full of supernatural evils of their own, and you are stuck down here, unable to reach them!_ " A bit of a sidenote to be sure. Excellent video. In art class when I was a teenager, the only picture I made that I was ever proud of was the image of the Grim Reaper playing on an electric guitar-scythe. It still hangs on my sister's wall I believe.

[@antoinehicks2681]

I was thinking the same thing

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

that was a cool game....Genesis had some of the coolest games

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

After Watching Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, that movie had one of my favorite and BEST depictions of the Grim Reaper in media! Love that movie so much!

[@Jdne199311]

Are you afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@Jdne199311 Nah, but he WAS super cool and menacing.

[@sarahhurst140]

The Grim Reaper, what an icon! And grimly so! Excellent topic, my friend! Quite timely too! Nicely comprehensive video, & brilliantly done!🔥💜🌍

[@williambenner5550]

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. No mention of all the Native Mexican Cultures concept of death. Like the Myan, Aztecs and Toltecs for example. You should do a part two, and cover Mexico, Native American, Central and South America as well.

[@BelleZee1]

La santa Muerte

[@jdsrcs8061]

The Reaper is such a great character. For myself I think my 2 favorite depictions of him are in Puss in Boots Last Wish, and on Regular Show.

[@Chunkypumpkinhead]

The one in Baron Munchausen is pretty tight as well

[@DeWin157]

One of my most favorite literary series is the Incarnations of Immortality, starting with Thanatos in On a Pale Horse, by Piers Anthony.

[@davidkillin8466]

Love the smooth dialogue and graphics of your channel. Plus, the subject matter and context is intriguing. Thanks!

[@aceundead4750]

Morrigan was the best companion. Able to dish out massive amounts of aoe damage and surprisingly able to sustain numerous attacks often being the last companion standing.

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

also a great advisor to the inquisitor...mother of a old god and child of Flemmeth the wife of the dread wolf.....what a lineage......and to think the legends are true lolz

[@BlazeBuds]

What game is that from?

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

@@BlazeBuds my comment? dragon Age trilogy , I was referencing the lore....

[@psychopompous3207]

Wow. I didn't realize that the Japanese Death personifications shared such striking similarities with Greek myth. Namely, Persephone and Hades.

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

text looks straight to me.....I mean if this is bent then IDK what crooked looks like lolz

[@DrDipsh1t]

I have a tattoo of The Morrigan as it honors my celtic heritage but I also love its representation. I have a Brigid tattoo lol. I also have a grim reaper tattoo. It symbolizes my acceptance of the inevitable. I plan to have many more personifications of death tattoo'd on me as it's something that's always fascinated me from a philosophical perspective but also psychologically. "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds"

[@preetycathan1747]

So had u ever work with theses deities 😮🥰🤔

[@RSBurgener]

I played a lot of role-playing games in my youth. One of the gods of these games was a God of death and dreams, which I'm sure was inspired by these earlier myths. I could never really shake the idea that he actually existed somewhere out there, which made me feel pretty foolish, sort of like believing in Santa Claus. It wasn't until I got older that I realized just how deeply-rooted these beliefs are and how these deities existed in cultures for thousands of years. I think it's human nature to ascribe powers to and to personify fundamental things like Death. It's not such a strange thing to have these notions. These beliefs may even have crystallized and solidified these deities in the realm of energy, making them manifest in reality through the beliefs of humans. Who knows? It's almost impossible to modernize something as ancient and primal as the human brain. It doesn't necessarily want to conform to modern ways of thinking.

[@dahshonpugh3654]

Calming and Inspiring comment. Thanks by the way🖤👽

[@chillingwarmly5155]

Before you think Izanagi was a bad husband, realise that he acted exactly the way a sibling would

[@Leon3dg]

Classic

[@yoooo790]

That's because people in general dont understand dialogue. I mean ppl are stupid.

[@holyknight70]

I too would abandon my dead sister... Who I also made my wife...

[@malissahyatt2425]

That's not saying much.

[@hamzaferoz6162]

Yeah to be fair. He acted as anyone else would have

[@yaboyjosh3023]

Valkyrie: "You died in glorious combat. Come with me." Soul: "No" Valkyrie: "I have mead" Soul: "Fine, let's go"

[@hwizell7478]

Valkyrie: It’s beer thirty Soul: Do beer goggles apply here? 😉

[@angela_merkeI]

15:50 And Brittany! Let's not forget about the Bretons, since they also have stories about Ankou.

[@Elfan4]

Seeing as Halloween is just around the corner, you should definitely make a video about this holiday 😊

[@bmb201]

Loved this! I really wish you would do a video on Hecate and The Morrigan! They both have fascinating stories!

[@DEATH-THE-GOAT]

Fun thing. This is how it usually does down. Random guy: Who are you? Death: I am Death. Random guy: Have you come for me? Death: I have walked at your side for a long time now. Random guy: That I know. Death: Are you prepared? Random guy: My body is afraid, but I am not. _[Death approaches Random guy]_ Random guy: Wait a moment. Death: You all say that. But I give no respite. Random guy: You play chess, do you not? Death: How do you know that? Random guy: I've seen it in paintings, heard it in the songs. Death: I really am a rather skilful chess player. Random guy: Even so, you can't be more skilful than me. Death: Why do you want to play chess with me? Random guy: That is my business. Death: You are right about that. Random guy: My condition is that I may live as long as I resist you. If I checkmate you, you set me free. _[to decide who begins, Random guy hides a white and black piece in each hand, Death chooses the hand that has the black piece]_ Random guy: Black for you! Death: It becomes me well. *And then I trick him and takes his soul, hell yeah! Another one bites the dust!*

[@paigemoore4177]

Great video :) I most especially LOVE that You included the Ghede of Voodoo... They are my Guides & extremely protective & serve Justice ... Maman Brigette laughs while dealing punishment & gently smiles when healing or protecting

[@destinitaylor4360]

I’ve always had a particular fondness for Anubis myself. So learning about more death gods was a treat!

[@ruyman90]

A little bit of explanation for the Santa Muerte. It was created as an amalgamation of many things: mayan and aztec gods of death, the "unción de los muertos" meaning the preparation by the catholic church for terminal ill people, "dia de los muertos" as a celebration of our ancestors and family, the catrina, the image of "san pascualito" as you said, the veneration of the Virgin Mary, and the common folklore of the grim reaper from western Europe. All this things combined created this entity of a death as a being not good or evil and in communion with God (which idea the catholic church rejects). It is adored as an alternative to the Virgin Mary (Virgen de Guadalupe). Is commonly prayed as means of protection from death and evil, and that's why it also prayed by Cartels members and criminals as a way to protect themselves because as you may know, the catholic church disapprove their way of living.

[@lovely1762]

My top favorite death gods/Goddess 1. Anubis 2. Hades 3. Hel 4. Shinigami 5. Grim Reaper 6. Pluto

[@ariesvixen853]

I love world mythologies but they're so complicated sometimes, and this groups them together or transitions in ways that make sense as a whole rather than islands of info that never connect. So great how this takes myths from all across the world & time, then makes it interesting and easy to understand as well. Plus the corny jokes thrown in are my fave!😂 ❤️ Thanks for another great video! Too often I'm just wasting time on my phone.. at least here I learn things!😅 I get more excited now about learning than I ever got while in school 😁😂

[@hinatababe97]

Even if his video didn’t connect the myths that’s your problem to figure out lol, not his. Try and read/find books that help you connect them such as the one recommended by the commenter above 👆🏽,

[@yashenumulla4068]

As an Indian I was sad you didn't include Yama, the Vedic god of death and justice but apart from that the video was great and the illustrations were wonderful.

[@sharkchaos5160]

I loved this video and I love learning about the Grim reaper and other death deities. Also, you could add Azrael the angel of death and Death one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse and Davy Jones.

[@Queenofgreen515]

Azrael would object to being called a Grim Reaper ;) Though he is the Angel of Transition.

[@SwampNymph522]

According to the stories my parents told me, my departed loved ones have been visited by the souls of the already deceased to usher them into the life hereafter. I call that phenomenon “playing Grim Reaper”

[@intothevoid47]

That's called the light tunnel trap. Those aren't ACTUALLY family members, they're trickster entities who's sole purpose is to comfort you (by taking the form of a loved one, a TRUSTED loved one) into the "afterlife" - which is basically a bigger cell with nicer books - until you're to be reincarnated. The Buddhists, however, realize that reincarnation is THE TRAP, and that it's a cycle that must be broken. Reincarnation isn't the goal to achieve, the afterlife is just another cage, you have to CHOOSE to go into the light and submit yourself to the process, which is why they come to you as family, or friends, your children, anyone that can convince you to "come into the light".

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

There's a youtuber who analyzes myths and finds the oldest ones. There's always a single, common root to these stories.

[@rosanehelena]

Do you know his name by any chance?

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

@@rosanehelena Yes, it's Crecganford

[@christinepearson4972]

These gods and goddesses of death do deserve our best respect for the work that not only they do but also the work that their fellow gods and goddesses do

[@cypher7648]

Very interesting to learn all of this....I remember some Greek mythology from school, but love how you showed the way other cultures see how one passes safely. Thank you for your hard work. Great job! Blessings from Canada

[@dethsyndrome]

Izumani and Izunagi the strongest of Uchiha techniques. Man I love your videos.

[@TerryB01]

I like to think Death was playing a prank on someone who was only have a near death experience and when he came back to life he told everyone and it stuck.

[@MotherNature101]

I've been through a near death experience eight years ago in July of 2014. An experience I will never forget and one that taught me a lot.

[@EUSilverleaf]

Oh, but I do miss the poems you recited, as when you did when you covered Anubis. Love the content. Appreciate it!

[@thestrategos4710]

A further Egyptian psychopomp was Wepwawet (The Opener of the Ways), often confused with Inpw (Anubis) - he guided individuals along the paths and tasks to reach the Balancing of the Heart with Ma'at by Inpw. He was generally depicted with a grey canine head whereas Inpw was a black head.

[@MissGroves]

The image of the skeleton in a robe, often carrying an hourglass, is actually the "angel of death" , it became muddled with the idea of the grim reaper

[@ethanlyons3571]

There are other deities that I like to mention that are related to the role of the psychopomp: Aztec mythology: Mictlantecuhtli - Aztec god of death and ruler of the underworld Mictecacíhuatl - Aztec goddess of death Xolotl - Aztec god of fire and lighting and soul guide of the dead Judges of the dead: Aeacus - Doorkeeper of Hades and judge of the deceased of Europe Rhadamanthus - Lord of Elysium and judge of the deceased of Asia Minos - Judge of the final vote for the afterlife of the soul Miscellaneous: Cat sith - Celtic fairy creature that steals souls, possibly referred as the rogue psychopomp Xolos dog - Day of the dead soul guide (possible influence from the Xolotl deity)

[@piedpiper1185]

"LORD, WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN?” ― Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man

[@DEATH-THE-GOAT]

I am deeply honored that you have dedicated an entire video to me. Sincerely Death

[@Davlavi]

This channel deserves way more views. Keep up the great videos.🙏

[@moistcheetoman8195]

Doesn’t Azrael count as a grim reaper given that he’s an angel of death?

[@hackman669]

Sure, people are silly

[@shaolinshefgaming400]

Well just think about how much was put into this video I'm sure he knows he missed a few

[@zanythos3716]

On A Pale Horse by Piers Anthony is a great story featuring Thanatos as more of a civil servant.

[@Raphael_Bizmann]

A great book indeed

[@mattk04]

I love that book!

[@1Zero2Zero3Zero]

I always liked to think of the Reaper not as an evil or aggressive being that loved to kill, like popular culture likes to portray, rather a benevolent figure that doesn't particularly like what it does, but ut understands that the job has to be done. It tries to make the transition from life to the afterlife a meaningful act. It explains to the sad and burdened soul what happened, and it talks to and cares for them on the journey to their new home. It doesn't want them to be sad.

[@FookMi69]

Baron Samedi would be such a fun guy to be around for sure

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

he was a worthy adversary for the Saints....and for Agent 007

[@shenloken2]

In Irish folklore isn’t the Dullahan also a harbinger of death? In the film Darby O’Gill I believe he was the one escorting Darby’s soul through use of a ghostly horse drawn carriage.

[@tanyanikolaevagizdova6571]

Yep. He rides, searching for his target. Every foor opens before him, every lock breaks. Nothing can keep him away from his goal. He need only utter the dead's name and the deed is done

[@francissally1160]

Unless you are wearing gold which he is afraid of but it'll only deter him for a while.... He'll come back for you

[@toscadonna]

I love that film, “Darby O’Gill and the Little People!”❤🎉

[@azazelsiad3601]

The Japanese names for Ox-head (Gozuki) Horse-face (Mezuki) are far more intimidating. What’s worse is they are also seen in the Night of the Demon Parade meaning they come to the world of the living as well in folklore.

[@c0ym0nty]

The story of Izanagi surprised me! Looking forward to Journey to the West vid 😊

[@luiscastillo3551]

My mother told me she saw Death face to face... back in the 50s, she was in the hospital recovering from surgery and one night awoke to this dark figure over her bed. She wasn't scared or startled, she just stared back...

[@timothyhenegar7484]

Another way to look at death in the symbolism of the Grim Reaper? Is that the robes that also represent the coldness of death, and also the veil of the other world or afterlife. The bones of course the departure of the soul from the fleshly vessel of the body. Finally the scythe representing the old proverb: "You reap what you sew!" Essentially meaning upon death, you will be judged the the live you lived, through your deeds and actions. Hope that helps.

[@ddaddystar2273]

The Reaper in Chinese mythology is Black and White Impermanence, I am surprised they wasn't mentioned. King Yama is the king of Hell, Horse & cow face is guardians of Hell.

[@DEATH-THE-GOAT]

From Irish lore I think you forgot my friend the Dullahan. _"The ancient Irish believed that where the Dullahan stops riding, a person is due to die. The Dullahan calls out the person's name, drawing away the soul of his victim, at which point the person immediately drops dead."_ _Now I have to go and comfort him. He was very hurt by not being mentioned._

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

the Dulahan was a woman, a headless woman at that who if you were caught onm her path when she was riding sometimes she'd toss a bucket of blood on you if you were lucky cus sometimes she'd kill you lol I actually like her style, riding a horse and tossing blood on the living, classy......lolz she has a funny sense of humor but IRL probably terrifying to see.... but to be carried off to the afterlife by a smokin hot headless redhead?? sign me up lolz seriously go see the anime Dur, ra, ra, ra! it has a dullahan, near invincible tough guy, a slick crafty agile con man/info broker, several gangs all vying for power and a district of Tokyo that's no stranger to weirdness, seriously solid show and much deeper than all the DBZ stuff....

[@jrodriguez1374]

Great video! I love the format of representing different cultures

[@mileonaslionclaw2525]

Don’t forget about the dullahan For Celtic/Irish embodiments of death.

[@jcmc1111]

My favorite mythological channel

[@Babygz1.01]

“You can be a king or a street sweeper but in the end everybody dances with the grim reaper”

[@leonfrost2829]

" Come on Baby Don't Fear the Reaper" - Blue Oyster Cult

[@lindadenneypu6315]

Don't fear the reaper i had a total zombie land moment when they were at bill Murray's house

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

Seasons don't fear the reaper Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain... we can be like they are Come on baby... don't fear the reaper ...needs more cowbell!!!

[@yasirobe5010]

Hey MFE, I would just like to say that your videos have been a great inspiration for me and for a while, I have been doing a project, still am, of embroidering jewelry with beads and wire based on mythological and folklore figures. So far everyone's favourite is the kelpie. Basically, I am saying thank you 😊

[@laflaca80]

That is so cool! If you have an IG account, let us know. If you feel comfortable.

[@isidroacosta7254]

Great video always keeps me entertained. My favorite video of yours that I can listen to on repeat are the dark word series. Are you making any more?

[@MythologyFictionExplained]

Yes!

[@sinalo8976]

I love death. I love how essentially peacefully it is. People fear death and everything to do with which is why society associates evil with the grim reaper. They see as a figure viciously taking one's soul/life but life must always come to an end. Death is just doing its job. We are all going to die might as well embrace it rather than avoid it🤷🏾‍♀️ Also throughout the video I kept thinking about a movie or TV show representation of these 'myths' (Done Right and ACCURATELY!!) It would be so cool. I love creepy alluring things like death. It could also act to help people with the concept of death and the underworld. Like maybe try to hold a mirror to the world and make people realize the impact they have on earth and how it may affect your chance after death. (Sounds a bit dodgy, I know) but it could be cool and make people think and could simultaneously shine a light on historical and present horric truths about certain people and certain groups of people🤷🏾‍♀️. I wish I was creative. Cause I have great ideas but have no idea how to flesh them out🤷🏾‍♀️ Anyway, love this channel!!!

[@ravenmeyer3740]

I certainly agree with you. We were never meant to be immortal, and old age is brings with it unseen consequences. Our culture preaches a long life, all the while, worshipping youth. Our culture also decries old age and how much seniors cost the health care system. Older people, unless they have families who love them, become invisible. So, absolutely, death is a beautiful thing for those who are tired. I also have a fascination with things like this. It’s so much a part of life.

[@capoeirastronaut]

"And these three men made a solemn vow, John Barleycorn would die They've ploughed, they've sown, they've harrowed, thrown clods upon his head Till these three men were satisfied John Barleycorn was dead There's beer all in the barrel and brandy in the glass But little Sir John, with his nut-brown bowl, proved the strongest man at last They've let him lie for a long long time till the rains from heaven did fall And little Sir John sprang up his head and so amazed them all" - traditional British folk song linking harvest to rebirth. The Greek Eleusinian Mysteries were very long practiced rites, and seem to also have prominently featured an ear of grain, and contemplating of rebirth.

[@ravenmeyer3740]

Yes. It’s about the harvest, as is the origins of Samhain, also Diwali. It is about the shortening of days when everything goes dormant and later evolved into modern Halloween. Which is very new and still evolving as a tradition. The harvest traditions go back centuries. I learned this from another great video.

[@jennifermcwhorter6627]

Quite frankly, my favorite adaptations of death outside the og grim reaper would be the Egyptian gods, in fact they are my favorite of all polytheistic religions, and I hate how absolutely underrated they are!

[@BokscarTube]

Was hoping to hear more about the connections of said gods: Baron Samedi(Saturday), Satan, Osiris, and Chronos... but mostly Chronos.

[@soulreaver1983]

Thanks for another fantastic video dude 👏 😀

[@mikefisher4834]

Not only does Baron Sandy have to greet the souls of the dead and lead them to the underworld but he has to do it with a hangover??🤔💀

[@Azriel261]

Baron Samedi. Or Papa Elegba who is considered to be the keeper of the keys and the Orisha of the Dead. Also known as the King of the Crossroads

[@kurtbrayford6491]

papa gedie wont get a hang over if he stays drunk

[@CeaserBTradeGang]

Death is all around us it surrounds us emotionally drowns us but The Lord has the light that will bound us !!! 🙏🏾😇💙💯✌🏾

[@outonalimbwithgabbyallan7466]

Fantastic!!! I write a series of paranormal mysteries involving a soul crosser and this is great info! Thanks!

[@anthonyeder8360]

Still like Terry Pratchett's version most, but could still be sharper.

[@WordsOfTheTeacher]

Hearing journey to the west is on your list of projects is honestly the best news I've heard all day

[@KevinM88TR11]

Favorite mythology channel

[@aileent.2592]

I love this channel so much

[@ki-pattao9030]

Don't Fear the Reaper💀

[@squidgy6930]

“ The book thief” Death is a really nice guy

[@bruh-gf8su]

Bruh. I love this series. Aside from being informative and interesting. The voice is great to fall asleep too.

[@alexarellano4813]

This is a video I've been looking for. So glad that you made this!!! I love the grim reaper!!

[@thesoundofonemanlaughing]

Good content - and how rare, a reader who doesn't read too quickly 👌

[@mattstyles2498]

Woot woot. My boy Anubis bringing in the rear of this video. Shout out to my boy!!!

[@felipelucena6582]

Video starts at 2:20

[@hanzohattori5980]

Thanks you mythology &fiction explained for the video 💯💯🤘🤘🤘

[@staubfux]

The artwork is soooo gorgeous!!! 😍😍😍 Great topic for this one. I was clued to the screen! Thx

[@zionleach3001]

Apparently they're called "psychopomps."

[@marie-kathleenkirkpatrick4626]

I studied a couple of semesters of art history and from what I've learned, the first depictions of Death were of an older bearded man with a pair of white wings and an hourglass tied around his hips or attached to his belt. These depictions derived from the Greek god/titan of time and harvest, Chronos, simply because the people saw that their "time" had come. It was also symbolic for the passing of someone's lifetime. The fact that Chronos killed his own father, Uranus, with a sickle forged from the first metal, and later his children in fear of sharing his father's fate, as he was foretold by same father with his last breath, supported Chronos' status as a god close to Death. The depiction of the skeleton in a black cloak derived later in the middle ages during the black plague when people were faced with the horrors of Death in combination with disease, hence the scary appearance of Death. It was forbidden to perform autopsies on corpses, as it was considered mutilation, not to mention their beliefs in needing an unharmed body in order to be allowed into heaven during the end of days when the good would be separated from the evil, who would have to burn in hell for eternity. Back then people believed that they would go to heaven much much later after the final judgement of their souls (Armageddon). Some scientists performed autopsies nevertheless and thus learned more about the human anatomy, which only supported the idea of a skeletal personification of Death. ... Just saying.

[@LadyNikitaShark]

In romance languages, Death is gramatical feminine. In a town near me the patron Saint is Our Lady of the Good Death(literal translatio). Language does influence how we see this kind of things.

[@dsatoy103]

This helped me out so much with a project I've been stuck on thank you!!!

[@andreachumley2247]

Thank you again for making another awesome video!

[@annahilliard4875]

I've always found the Grim Reaper interesting. Even Baron Samedi is fascinating. I love the artwork in this video too.

[@shannongriffin1986]

The black robe and hood is right. He and his robe are made of the blackest of black smoke u can imagine. He is ten feet tall. No sickle or scythe tho. He didn't hold anything. I saw him in my hospital room at the right corner of my bed on the night I was closest to death in my life. Luckily I didn't see under the hood. I assure u, this entity is very real. The nurses found me screaming don't let him take me. Worst part was when I awoke from surgery the next day they said I woke screaming, which is really not normal for adults, mostly only children. I think he may have been with me when I was fully under anesthesia again. I really do.