Inked Mag Staff
September 23rd, 2020
50 Deadly Grim Reaper Tattoos
Would you get a Grim Reaper tattoo?
The Grim Reaper is the personification of death and has appeared in folklore since the Middle Ages. Often shown as a skeleton, the Grim Reaper appears to claim the souls of the dying and bring them into the afterlife. He’s frequently portrayed holding a scythe, an agricultural hand tool, which alludes to him being the harvester of souls. In most of the Western world, the Grim Reaper is shown as male, however, some cultures have flipped the switch, occasionally portraying Death in art as female. The Grim Reaper entered the literature sphere during 1847, when he was mentioned by name in “The Circle of Life.”
The Grim Reaper has appeared prominently in television and films throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries, notably in Cartoon Network’s “The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy.” In this animated cartoon series, friends Billy and Mandy gain the Grim Reaper as their best friend in eternal servitude. Grim is shown in your typically Grim Reaper fashion, complete with black and red robes, a scythe and a skeleton’s body. However, the show takes some liberties with his character by giving him a Jamaican accent and a love for ice-cream. Other popular culture interpretations of the Grim Reaper include “Discworld’s” Death, “The Tales of Beedle the Bard’s” Death and Marvel Comic’s Death.
In honor of the always timeless and terrifying Grim Reaper, take a look at 50 tattoos inspired by this personification of Death in the gallery below. Then let us know your thoughts on these tattoos and the Grim Reaper in the comments section on social media.
Editor's Picks
Hooked on Ink
Tattoo enthusiasts often claim addiction, but true addiction involves chemical and psychological dependence. Obsessive love for tattoos is not the same as addiction.
Austin City Limits 2024: Tattooed Icons and Epic Performances – Copy 1
From Soulful Ballads to Punk Anthems: Tattooed Artists Leave Their Mark on Austin City Limits 2024
Austin City Limits 2024: Tattooed Icons and Epic Performances
From Soulful Ballads to Punk Anthems: Tattooed Artists Leave Their Mark on Austin City Limits 2024