Gargoyles are stone statues that are attached to buildings. But they are more than just a decoration. Gargoyles are waterspouts that
help rainwater flow away from a building’s walls
. They’re carved from a block of solid stone, usually granite.
What is the spiritual purpose of a gargoyle?
Many considered gargoyles the
spiritual protectors of churches as well, scaring off demons and evil spirits
. Some historians believe gargoyles were inspired from pagan eras and were used to make churches feel more familiar to new Christians.
Are gargoyles evil or good?
Gargoyles were also
thought to ward off evil
.
In this sense they served as almost an “evil eye”—they were evil-looking creatures that were designed to keep evil at bay.
What are gargoyles meant for?
In architecture, and specifically in Gothic architecture, a gargoyle (/ˈɡɑːrɡɔɪl/) is
a carved or formed grotesque with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building
, thereby preventing rainwater from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between.
Why is the gargoyle important?
Gargoyles are carved stone creatures known as grotesques. Often made of granite, they serve an
important purpose in architecture
. … Some legends hold that gargoyles also protect against harmful spirits. Gargoyles have been used for hundreds of years.
Are gargoyles dragons?
The word gargoyle derives from the French gargouille, meaning “throat.” This would appear to take its inspiration from the statues’ water-siphoning gullets, but in fact the name comes from the French legend of “La Gargouille,” a fearsome dragon that terrorized the inhabitants of the town of Rouen.
Do gargoyles come to life?
Most gargoyles are depicted as grotesque creatures, but it is said that – like snowflakes – you will never find two that are exactly alike. Some legends say that
these stone creatures actually come to life to ward off evil
, and that they can communicate with others when the wind or rain passes through their mouths.
What powers do gargoyles have?
Gargoyles have six powers and abilities:
immortality
(invulnerable to the passing of time and to diseases), human form (shapeshift to human-like beings), flight posses wings), camouflage (blend with the inanimate grotesques to surprise intruders), endurance (cannot be wounded at night), and petrification (turns other …
What is the most famous gargoyle?
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
Perhaps the most well-known gargoyles in the world hover on Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Technically known as grotesques (true gargoyles have waterspouts as mouths), these monstrous creatures glare ominously down on the City of Light.
Where do you place gargoyles?
They are often the things that put the finishing touches to a garden. Your gargoyle can be set simply
amongst shrubbery
, partly obscured from view, or made a more obvious feature and placed on columns, or pedestals at various points in the garden such as in grottoes, alcoves, staircases or at the end of a path.
What do gargoyles eat?
They occasionally ate
gemstones and coins
that they found on their opponents’ bodies but, like other gargoyles, they did not need to eat.
What is the myth behind gargoyles?
Protectors or Monsters? Despite their frightening appearance, Gargoyles are
guardians who are known to protect buildings from evil spirits, and do no harm to humans
. Due to this, churches, which were considered holy places, often had these creatures on the roof to ward off the devil and demons.
Why are gargoyles on Catholic churches?
The Catholic Church’s primary use of the gargoyle was
to illustrate evil
. The church wanted to convey a realistic image of the possibility of a damned afterlife. The Gothic idea was one of pain and suffering and the buildings loomed over the citizens in a romantically dramatic cloud.
Are gargoyles monsters?
A Gargoyle is a
living monster
that was made of a stone-like substance during the day. … Gargoyles are not the same as other stone beings, such as the Golem as Gargoyles are always in the form of in-human, possibly demonic, creatures. They stand guard in Gothic style structures, such as Cathedrals and European castles.
Why are there gargoyles on Notre Dame?
The gargoyles’ main purpose is
very practical
. As rain water runs down the roofs of Notre-Dame de Paris, it needs to drain off without dripping down the walls and potentially damaging them. By evacuating rain water, the gargoyles protect the cathedral and protect the stone from damage caused by excessive runoff.
Do gargoyles have names?
Famous Gargoyles
These gargoyles are some of the most iconic Gothic architectural landmarks. Whilst
many of them do not have a specific name
(most are simply known as gargoyles), they are an important addition to this list before we get into the more creative names later on.
