In the whole series, Death always has an elongated arrow. I’ve noticed in a great many Danse Macabre scenes by various artists throughout the years, Death has an arrow, never a scythe. Time is often depicted with a scythe though.
jazzletsays
I now wonder when the imagery changed :)
busterggisays
jazzlet @ 3 -- I’m guessing the old guy just asked to swap because he was tired of carrying the heavier item.
It turns out that it was when the earlier (pagan) personifications of death as a skeleton were christianized, that’s when the concept of the Grim Reaper came about, and with him, the black robe and scythe, during Medieval times. Earlier depictions had death as a rider, an archer, or an undertaker, and not fearful or creepy at all.
jazzletsays
Thank you Caine. Yet another example of christians fearing death when theologically they ought to welcome it.
I wonder why Death is holding Time’s Arrow, and Time is holding Death’s Scythe?
In the whole series, Death always has an elongated arrow. I’ve noticed in a great many Danse Macabre scenes by various artists throughout the years, Death has an arrow, never a scythe. Time is often depicted with a scythe though.
I now wonder when the imagery changed :)
jazzlet @ 3 -- I’m guessing the old guy just asked to swap because he was tired of carrying the heavier item.
It turns out that it was when the earlier (pagan) personifications of death as a skeleton were christianized, that’s when the concept of the Grim Reaper came about, and with him, the black robe and scythe, during Medieval times. Earlier depictions had death as a rider, an archer, or an undertaker, and not fearful or creepy at all.
Thank you Caine. Yet another example of christians fearing death when theologically they ought to welcome it.