Although there are many beautiful sculptures from the Middle Ages, I was attracted by these strange and so different faces to understand their purpose.
Gargoyles grin and stare from the rooftops and towers of churches, having been there for centuries. They adorn the great cathedrals of the British Isles and other European countries.
It is traditionally believed that Gargoyles (aka gargoyles) were created during the Middle Ages. However, their story goes far beyond this time when humans created monsters to scare away demons. Many examples of these creatures have been found in ancient civilizations as well.
The use of decorative water intakes was known to the ancient Egyptians, Etruscans, Greeks and Romans. Gargoyles are also found in other parts of the world, especially in countries influenced by European culture and traditions, such as Mexico. Gargoyles in the form of lions and other animals have been seen on the rooftops of Egyptian and Greek temples, where their mouths served as a drain for water.
Later, these creatures became strictly decorative and took many forms: dragons, devils, demons, half-humans, as well as caricatures of real people.
The name "gargoyle" is often attributed to Saint Roman, Archbishop of Rouen. According to legend, he saved his country from a monster named Goji, sometimes called "Garguil". La Gargouille is said to be a legendary dragon with wings, a long neck and the ability to breathe fire. He lived in a cave near the Seine River in the 7th century, devastated the city, destroyed the people of Rouen, and was killed by Saint Roman. After the destruction of the dragon, his body was set on fire, but the head and neck survived and were installed on the building.
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Presumably, the monster was so terrifying that it frightened the evil spirits. This led some to call him a protector and to place similar carvings on churches and other important structures. But this is just a legend.
Washington National Cathedral (Washington, D. C.) has 112 gargoyles (no-spout rain diverters) and more than 1,000 more grotesques (no spout). When people think of gargoyles, most imagine monsters, dragons, and the like, but there are other intriguing and strange images as well.
The term "gargoyle" is often, but incorrectly, applied to various grotesque depictions of animals. Gargoyles tend to have drainage channels; other eccentric figures do not.
They "live" at dizzying heights and most often go unnoticed by human eyes, but they always watch our movements. They "watched" us for centuries. The gargoyles of the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame (half man, half beast) have presided over Paris and have done so since the Middle Ages.
It is believed that there is no generally accepted explanation as to why these unusual figures "settled" on the buildings. Why were they placed on top of the structure in certain quantities, and what is their symbolic meaning? Were they used to ward off evil, guard ancient religious sanctuaries, or perhaps just for architectural balance? The drain doesn't have to be grotesque.
During the Middle Ages, the primary use of the gargoyle was to illustrate evil. In the 12th century, when gargoyles appeared in Europe, the Roman Catholic Church grew stronger and attracted many new people into its ranks. Most of the population at this time was illiterate, so images were very important for conveying ideas.
It is possible that gargoyles are called upon to protect, scaring away evil spirits. They can also remind you of the torment that awaited sinners in the afterlife. As you know, medieval churches often depicted scenes of damnation as well as redemption. Another option, strange figures could easily remind of God's love for all beings.
It seems that these unusual faces will keep their secrets for more than one thousand years.