Gargoyle - Wikipedia The word Gargoyle is derived from 'La Gargouille'—the name of an immense dragon who lived in the river Seine at Rouen The word Gargouille comes from the word for a throat, and gargle is derived from the same source
Gargoyles: Their History, Meanings, and Most Famous Examples There was nothing fancier and more visually striking at that age and time than having a gargoyle However, we have to be fair here The idea of decorative waterspouts predates even the Gothic era Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans also used similar features in their architecture
The Grotesque World of Gargoyles - Ancient Origins The oldest known gargoyle is 13,000 years old and located in modern day Turkey – it is in the form of a stone crocodile The ancient gargoyles did not ever take the form of chimeras or fictional beasts but were modeled instead on native animals
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gargoyles and Grotesques A true gargoyle has a job to do It’s a form of guttering: an elongated figure extending from the building with an opening (usually its mouth) through which rainwater is directed away from the walls
Gargoyle: Mythical Creature Overview and History 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
Laughing at Evil: The Hidden Purpose of Gargoyles Étienne de Bourbon recounts the story of a usurer being killed by the fall of a stone purse held by a gargoyle This tale reflects a widely accepted belief: these sculptures were not mere ornaments, but agents of divine judgement
GARGOYLE Definition Meaning - Merriam-Webster The meaning of GARGOYLE is a spout in the form of a grotesque human or animal figure projecting from a roof gutter to throw rainwater clear of a building Did you know?
Gargoyle - Mythical Creatures and Beasts The Gargoyle is more than just a strange decoration clinging to the side of a cathedral Born out of necessity as rain spouts to protect medieval architecture, these eerie stone figures evolved into symbols of protection, fear, and imagination
Gargoyle | Gothic, Medieval, Sculpture | Britannica 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