Gargoyle Statues

Gargoyle Statues, because of their overwhelming and sometimes, frightening appearances, have inspired wonder and mystery among the people of medieval times. Their monstrous, imposing look had created an ominous yet fascinating aura that roused the curiosity of people, both learned and illiterate alike.  These behemoths stirred minds for so long that myths and mysteries were made about them.  These myths and beliefs made the gargoyle beyond being an architectural implement, but one of the symbols that influenced the mythical and spiritual lives of people during those days.

Religion and out-worldly beliefs were common notions of the middle ages.  When people do not know about something, they refer to religion for answers.  Unexplainable things and events are believed to be brought upon by unseen spirits and symbols were used for protection and to attain good fortune.  The Gargoyle Statues piqued so much curiosity that the people thought about, proliferated and believed myths about them.

One of the myths surrounding Gargoyle Statues was their ability to ward off evil spirits.  They are believed to stand guard to protect the church or the castle by scaring evil off with their hideous appearances. That might be the reason why most gargoyles were placed near entryways, gates, front walls and roofs.  Another myth is that these gargoyles come to life at night to protect those inside the building while they are asleep.  They return to their places before the sun comes up.  Some might even say that gargoyles with wings are better because they can guard the whole town with their flying!

The Catholic Church had also used the power of Gargoyle Statues to draw followers during that time.  Paganism was the more popular religion back then, wherein people believed in the power of animals and other creatures.  It was said that because of the high illiteracy back then, people are more encouraged through pictures and visual images rather than words.  Catholic Church leaders then thought of using gargoyles together with their own religious icons to attract pagans, as giving them a not so drastic transition from Paganism to Catholicism.  They were comfortable with their familiar animal deities, and became open to new beliefs and ideas.

The charm and mystery of the gargoyle makes it still one of the most splendid works of art until today.  While people no longer believe in flying gargoyles or stone statues that go bump in the night, the fascination that enshrouds a gargoyle statue remains as during the olden times.  It is now used mainly as an ornament, but it’s still a magnificent sight to behold.  The otherworldly charms of Gargoyle Statues, together with its rich history, had stood the test of time.  They are no doubt, beautiful works of art, no matter how frightening they may be.

Gargoyle Statues will bring that gorgeously medieval look to your home, whether indoors or out. These exquisitely sculpted pieces of ancient art had crossed through time and are now made available to beautify the modern home.  From the gothic designs of old up to newer concepts featuring modern characters and even famous figures of today, gargoyles will add an awe-inspiring accent as a centerpiece of your garden, when placed on top of your stone walls, or when set as “guards” for your entryways.  Have a distinct, attention-grabbing lawn ornament that will definitely amaze your guests or have one in the living room for that classic, antiquated ambience.

During the ancient times, Gargoyle Statues were built atop of churches and castles to drain and divert rainwater properly.  They usually are carved in the form of animals or mythic creatures such as elves and goblins. Water usually went out of the creature’s mouth. As time passed, the aesthetic properties of the gargoyle remained favored by churches and other important buildings.  They were still installed to adorn these buildings’ roofs, though no longer with their water-draining functions.  In this case, experts said that the right technical term for these would be grotesques, but the term gargoyle stuck and refers to statues of creature-like design until today.

It is a popular notion that Gargoyle Statues were built during the Medieval Ages, but these sculptures were already part of earlier Greek and Egyptian architecture. These were built for a similar purpose, which is to control water flow, as driving rainwater into collection basins for everyday use.  Egyptian and Greek gargoyles often resemble a lion’s head, a symbolic animal during that time.

Middle Ages brought Gargoyle Statues into popularity, making them staple architectural components of expensive and important buildings. Taking the water away from the buildings’ roof relieves its foundations of unnecessary weight, therefore prolonging the life of the building.  Carved out of strong material such as marble and solid stone, gargoyles have endured ages and the most prominent ones still stand today. The most well-known gargoyles are those on Notre Dame of Paris, where wolf-like gargoyles still guard its rooftop until now. Gargoyles are still found atop famous castles and other chapels around Europe.

The changing times caused the stoppage of building gargoyles within newer buildings because they were found to be construction hazards.  They are heavy and were prone to fall off, thus dangerous to anyone or anything down below. The alternative choice of using pipes instead for controlling water flow had become the new norm in building construction.  The enactment of new laws further prevented construction of gargoyles as waterways and ruled that lighter materials be used instead.  Nowadays, these magnificent statues are just for décor, but their imposing, unique beauty remains the same.

If you are into that medieval, gothic look and want to bring a piece of medieval heritage to your own home, decorative gargoyle statues can add that classic touch to your garden or anywhere indoors.  Bring that unique, timeless look of the Middle Ages to your everyday living with magnificently striking Gargoyle Statues!

Gargoyle Statues: Gargoyles are creatures with human and monstrous appearance. They are highly associated in medieval art works, particularly in gothic architecture. Their form is grotesque and quite disturbing; yet, truly fascinating. They are meant to look ugly because their design is to scare bad elements.

Gargoyle Statues were believed to ward off evil. For that reason, castles, churches, town halls and big homes would have them around in the past centuries, particularly on rooflines, buttresses and corners. They enhance the scenic quality of any structure where they are placed. In some cases, they are believed to bring good luck; that is why some people would use them as charms.

During sunny days, they would give out glows that create striking and picturesque effect on the tower. On rainy days, they serve as water spouts, turning away the rainwater to the street. Indeed, they are functional fantasies that would play in people’s imagination.

It was in the 14^th and 15^th century that rich people compete in having the biggest gargoyle. Most of them would have their very own collections personally designed based on their preferences. They would hire designers to create the gargoyle statue that would look exactly how they want it to look.

Nowadays, gargoyles are being sold in the form of functional figurines. They can be used as plant pots, candle holders, incense holders, pen holders, credit card holders and so much more. Their looks are even enhanced. Some have super hero looks and some were intended to give the impression of being funny. They are not alive but your mind’s eye can bring them to life.

Most modern gargoyles now serve as icons and gothic ornaments. Collectors would even give them pet names and get them customized based on their ideas. They are usually made from stone, baked clay, copper and other types of metal. You can get ones with smaller sizes if you intend to use them as personal charms or embellishments. There are also big-sized ones that would fit as decorations for your home.

In spite of the fact that our era is contemporary, you can still find structures with Gargoyle Statues on their roofs and gateways.

They still play an important part in most architectural works, which means the tradition was greatly preserved. They also sometimes double as clocks, fountains and bird baths.

There is a large selection of gargoyles art works in sculpture stores. To make sure that you will have a wider selection, why not try to look for them online? You can browse online catalogues and view images and descriptions not only of Gargoyle Statues but also of gargoyle furniture and wall décors. Most of them have good quality and are created with careful details.

Although they became popular in Medieval Europe, the history of Gargoyle Statues can be traced back further than this era. In ancient Egypt and Rome, you will find them in temples and are basically used to divert ritual water off the area. During the 12^th century, they can be found in India’s Airavateswarar Temple. Now, the tradition was brought to a new level.