The Grim Reaper
If a dark hooded figure comes rapping at your door, don’t answer it—it could be the Grim Reaper!
During medieval times, as a deadly epidemic—the Black Plague—swept across Europe, wiping out thousands, people began associating death with frightening skeleton-type figures. Many believed the skeletons rose from the grave and beckoned the living to join them in a dance—a Dance-of-Death.
Um… no thanks, I think I’ll sit this one out!
Rats and fleas were responsible for spreading the epidemic. The infected rats were bitten by fleas. When the fleas bit people, the plague spread rampant from person-to-person. For the longest time, people believed the epidemic was passed through sneezing and coughing. Theaters went dark because of the epidemic. By the 1800s, the deadly plague finally left Europe.
Good riddance!
Centuries later, people interpreted death as a macabre figure cloaked in a dark hooded robe. The grim-looking figure, that hid his face, carried a scythe. A scythe—also known as a sickle—is an ancient farming tool used to reap a harvest. At one end, the tool has a curved blade that was used in a wide, sweeping motion to cut grass or grain. Death—the grim reaper—was believed to use his scythe to reap/gather his crop of the nearly departed.
So, if the Grim Reaper comes rapping at your door, tell him to Scram! Get lost!
During medieval times, as a deadly epidemic—the Black Plague—swept across Europe, wiping out thousands, people began associating death with frightening skeleton-type figures. Many believed the skeletons rose from the grave and beckoned the living to join them in a dance—a Dance-of-Death.
Um… no thanks, I think I’ll sit this one out!
Rats and fleas were responsible for spreading the epidemic. The infected rats were bitten by fleas. When the fleas bit people, the plague spread rampant from person-to-person. For the longest time, people believed the epidemic was passed through sneezing and coughing. Theaters went dark because of the epidemic. By the 1800s, the deadly plague finally left Europe.
Good riddance!
Centuries later, people interpreted death as a macabre figure cloaked in a dark hooded robe. The grim-looking figure, that hid his face, carried a scythe. A scythe—also known as a sickle—is an ancient farming tool used to reap a harvest. At one end, the tool has a curved blade that was used in a wide, sweeping motion to cut grass or grain. Death—the grim reaper—was believed to use his scythe to reap/gather his crop of the nearly departed.
So, if the Grim Reaper comes rapping at your door, tell him to Scram! Get lost!
