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When were gargoyles invented?
Where did the Gargoyle myth come from?
What is a gargoyle used for?
How are gargoyles made?
The term gargoyle is most often applied to medieval work, but throughout all ages, some means of water diversion, when not conveyed in gutters, was adopted. [12] In ancient Egyptian architecture, gargoyles showed little variation, typically in the form of a lion's head. [13]
The origins of the gargoyle myth are unclear, but they are believed to have originated in ancient cultures such as Egypt and Greece. In these cultures, gargoyles were often depicted as fierce creatures with wings and sharp claws. Over time, the gargoyle myth evolved and became more complex.
- Gargoyles are there for a reason. When gargoyles began appearing on churches throughout Europe in the 13th century, they served as decorative water spouts, engineered to preserve stone walls by diverting the flow of rainwater outward from rooftops.
- The name comes from a dragon-slaying legend. The word gargoyle derives from the French gargouille, meaning “throat.” This would appear to take its inspiration from the sculptures’ 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 city of Rouen.
- Gargoyles were meant to inspire fear in churchgoers. Placing gargoyles on a church’s exterior reinforced the idea that evil dwelled outside the church, while salvation could be found within.
- Church leaders hoped gargoyles would also attract pagans. Churches would also model gargoyles after the creatures worshipped by pagan tribes, thinking this would make their houses of worship appear more welcoming to them.
Aug 30, 2024 · Gargoyle, in architecture, waterspout designed to drain water from the parapet gutter. Originally the term referred only to the carved lions of classical cornices or to terra-cotta spouts, such as those found in the Roman structures at Pompeii.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
At the end of the Middle Ages people began using lead drainpipes, so true gargoyles became less common. Gargoyles are waterspouts set high on a building that direct rainwater away from the building’s walls. Most gargoyles are carved from a block of solid stone. They are made to….
These gurgling figures gained prominence in Medieval France, though earlier editions have existed in different cultures for centuries. Here, we take a look at the history of the gargoyle, focusing on its unique function and tracing the way it has evolved over time.
May 28, 2020 · Gargoyles were initially made to go at the end of water spouts in Gothic churches (and yes, some castles) in the middle ages. They served a practical and artistic purpose. The word...
