Gargoyles
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Gargoyles are stone statues that are attached to buildings.
But they are more than just a decoration.
In architecture, and specifically in Gothic architecture, a gargoyle (/ˈɡɑːrɡɔɪl/) is a waterspout that is a carved or a formed grotesque designed to help water flow from a roof and or away from the side of a building, thereby preventing rainwater from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between.
How do Gargoyles work?
A groove is cut along the top of the statue. That way, when rain falls, it travels along this groove and falls through the gargoyle’s open mouth onto the roads below. Keeping the rain away from a building protects its stone walls, so they don’t start to wear away.
The word gargoyle comes from the French word gargouille, which means “throat" or “gullet." This probably comes from the gurgling sound of the water as it passes through the gargoyle and out its mouth.
Who invented them?
Gargoyles look like all kinds of creatures, including animals, dragons and strange, imaginary monsters. Some gargoyles are even made to look like humans. In these cases, the statues were often carved to look like the priests or church elders who were found at a church during that time.
Experts aren’t sure why so many gargoyles were carved to look angry and fierce. But they do have a couple of ideas. 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. Some legends hold that gargoyles also protect against harmful spirits.
Difference between a Gargoyle
and a Grotesque
A gargoyle is used as a waterspout.
They are in the form of grotesque human or animal figures projecting from a roof gutter to throw rainwater clear of a building. Just remember that gargoyles usually have an open mouth for this purpose.
But a stone figure that’s on a building just for decoration is called a grotesque. They are much more common than gargoyles.
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