Pagan Blog Project 2012 - G is for Gargoyle

G is for Gargoyle

gar·goyle [gahr-goil]

noun

1. a grotesquely carved figure of a human or animal.
2. a spout, terminating in a grotesque representation of a human or animal figure with open mouth, projecting from the gutter of a building for throwing rain water clear of a building.

Origin: 1250–1300; Middle English gargoile Old French gargouille, gargoule literally, throat; see gargle

-dictionary.com

A piece of classic architecture, the Gargoyle was generally used a way to get water off the roof of a building. The French “gargouille” translates to English as throat also known as gullet. In other languages the word translates to words such as water spitter, water vomiter, protruding gutter and to gargle.

A French legend says that St Romanus, a bishop of Rouen saved a country from a monster called Gargouille. Gargouille was described as a fire breathing dragon. St. Romanus is said to have defeated the dragon with his crucifix and burned the remains. Its head would not burn so it was mounted on the church to scare off evil spirits.

Gargoyles are sometimes made of concrete or terracotta and can be found in places like The Temple of Zeus.

And Notre Dame de Paris

Aside from dragons, animals were also used as gargoyles. Romans, Greeks, Etruscans and Egyptians used several types. Dogs were seen as guardians, eagles for seeing far away, snakes for immortality, goats were linked with both Christ and Satan and the monkey was linked to sloth.

All over the web everyone seems to either love or fear gargoyles. I found this great video of statues by Larry Lo Presti. He has some amazing paper mache garoyles.