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What religion uses gargoyles?
Gargoyles: The grotesque carved creatures of Christian architecture were borrowed from ancient pagan religions. Gargoyles are instantly recognizable, grotesque, carved creatures peering down from the tops of churches and cathedrals.
Who made the first gargoyle?
According to French architect and author Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, himself one of the great producers of gargoyles in the 19th century, the earliest known medieval gargoyles appear on Laon Cathedral (c. 1200–1220). One of the more famous examples is the gargoyles of Notre-Dame de Paris.
What were gargoyles originally used for?
Gargoyles were originally designed in 13th century French architecture as a means of disposing of water. Think of them as the precursor to the gutter. Typically, a trough was cut into the back of the gargoyle and the rainwater was able to run off of the roof and through the gargoyle’s mouth.
How did gargoyles originate?
THEY DATE BACK TO ANCIENT EGYPT. Although the name gargoyle dates back just a few centuries, the practice of crafting decorative, animal-themed drain spouts reaches back several millennia. The ancient Egyptians had a thing for lions, as did the Romans and the Greeks.
What does a gargoyle stand for?
Some think that the gargoyles’ angry faces were meant to scare away evil spirits and protect the building. Others think that scary gargoyles were placed on churches to remind people that there is evil in the world, so they should enter the church often and live a good life.
What do gargoyles represent spiritually?
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.
What do gargoyles symbolize?
Gargoyles were said to represent dangers from which the church would protect the faithful. In the Middle Ages, most of the public was still illiterate and thus could not read the Bible or understand most church teachings.
What was the original purpose of gargoyles?
Gargoyles were commonly used in medieval times. Their two main purposes were to scare off evil, and to divert rainwater. Many had open mouths and long necks because they functioned as downspouts to divert rainwater from building foundations. The word “Gargoyle” originates from the old French word ” Gargouille ” meaning…
What are facts on Gargoyles?
People believed that Gargoyles protect the buildings that they guard.
What is the origin and meaning of gargoyles?
The word “Gargoyle” stems from the old French word “Gargouille” meaning “Throat” but which likewise fairly well defines the gurgling sound of water coming with the downspout. The Catholic Church originally used Gargoyles as a visual reminder to their Pagan converts, many of which were illiterate.
Why were gargoyles made?
In 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. Architects often used multiple gargoyles on a building to divide the flow… Oct 21 2019