The lord of death and the underworld, Yamraj is the personification of death to us. The fearful deity visits you escort you out of the world to the path to the afterlife where your fate for the rest of the eternity would be decided. Let’s find out how the God of death, Yama, is depicted in different cultures of the world.
1. Grim Reaper
The skeletal figure, cloaked in a dark hood and carrying a scythe in hand lurks around you as the cold breath of death falls on your shoulder. He is called the Grim Reaper – who came into existence since the legend and mythologies of 15th century England.
2. Santa Muerte
The Mexican legend of a skeletal woman, dressed in a robe with a scythe in one hand and a globe in another is another personification of death itself. It is believed that she heals and protects the dead and escorts them through the way to afterlife.
3. Ixtab
Not many cultures have a deity for those who take their own lives. The Mayan Goddess, Ixtab, also known as the Rope Lady, is believed to be the protector of souls who have committed suicide. She would take the deceased underneath a tree, called Yaxche, where they’d be free from all wants and pains.
4. Anubis
The dark skinned human figure with a wolf’s head who guides soul to the afterlife is known by the name, Anubis in Egyptian mythology. Anubis is also said to be the protector of the tombs. Several ancient tombs have prayers to Anubis carved on them.
5. Dullahan
The Irish legend of Dullahan is not a benevolent spirit of death. A headless rider, Dullahan carries his own head in one hand and a human spine on another which he uses as his whip. The head has a sinister smile that cries out the names of those who are about to die.
6. Mictlantecuhtli
Mictlantecuhtli is a skeleton splattered in blood who rules the Mictlan, the lowest parts of the underworld and is regarded as the God of death. The worship of this Aztec God of death often involved ritualistic cannibalism.
7. Azrael
The archangel of death, Azrael, is a part of the Hebrew, Islam and Sikh lore. He is believed to have four faces, four thousand wings and his entire body is covered with eyes and tongue. The Qu’ran never takes his name and addresses him as Malak al-Maut(the angel of death).