As defined by Wikipedia - In architecture, a gargoyle is a carved stone grotesque,
usually made of granite,[1]
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. Architects often used multiple gargoyles on buildings to divide the
flow of rainwater off the roof to minimize the potential damage from a
rainstorm. A trough is cut in the back of the gargoyle and rainwater typically
exits through the open mouth. Gargoyles are usually an elongated fantastic
animal because the length of the gargoyle determines how far water is thrown
from the wall. When Gothic flying buttresses were used, aqueducts
were sometimes cut into the buttress to divert water over the aisle walls…………
But that’s not exactly what fascinates us about these creatures is it? Where did the legend of these stone beings
coming to life to take flight at night come about? Are they truly things of
legend or of horror? When people walking
into buildings housing these, grotesque creatures, should they feel comforted and
protected, or scared out their wits?
The legend of La Gargouille entails St. Romanus if Romaine fighting
off a terrible dragon-like monster with the help of no other than a condemned
man. The creature was known as
Gargouille. After defeating this
monster, Romanus burned its remains.
But, due to the creatures’ fire breathing, everything but the head and
neck burned, since being tempered from said fire. Ironically enough, they mounted the head to a
newly built church for protection and to ward off all evil spirits. What’s even more ironic is the fact that
during the 12th century the church was at odds with each other about
the presence of gargoyles on the church.
Many said they were there, since literacy was an uncommon concept at the
time, to scare the congregation into coming to church, reminding of the evils
of the world on the outside of the church and the end of days. Whereas St. Bernard of Clairvaux stated this:
“What
are these fantastic monsters doing in the cloisters before the eyes of the
brothers as they read? What is the meaning of these unclean monkeys, these
strange savage lions, and monsters? To what purpose are here placed these
creatures, half beast, half man, or these spotted tigers? I see several bodies
with one head and several heads with one body. Here is a quadruped with a
serpent's head, there a fish with a quadruped's head, then again an animal half
horse, half goat... Surely if we do not blush for such absurdities, we should
at least regret what we have spent on them.”
Though gargoyles have been depicted long before St. Romanus ever
appeared. Gargoyles have been around
since ancient times, from Ancient Egypt to Ancient Greece. But, sadly, all that I could find on the
subject of Gargoyles was even less that what I’ve read in fiction. And though I have read some truly wonderfully
told, beautiful stories, what I wanted to present you all with is the facts of
the matter. So looks like we will quite
possibly be having a part two to this article, if that’s ok with all of you.
I would like to dab more into this topic which has fascinated me ever since
seeing the cartoon series as Gargoyles as a teen, and even earlier than that,
seeing them atop of buildings, feeling as though they were looking right
through me. Which, in accordance to some
books I have read, could quite possibly have been the case, since they may very
well be warriors trapped in stone by day.
Able to look upon the world, yet not interact with it until the sun has
set far below the horizon, when they are able to take flight and protect the
world from the evil lurks in the shadows.
Or they may be cursed beings, trapped in the body of grotesque, until
they can atone or pay repentance for some great wrong they may have done. Or they could be another race of creation
altogether.
Stay tuned, because I plan on delving further into this subject. Any facts that you know, or think may help me
in my research, please feel free to send it in.
Tiffany
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