Gargoyle

:This article is about gargoyles, the statues. For the animated series, see Gargoyles (animated series). For the University of Michigan humor magazine, see Gargoyle Humor Magazine.

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In architecture, gargoyles, or gurgoyles (from the French gargouille, originally the throat or gullet, cf. Latin gurgulio, gula, and similar words derived from root gar, to swallow, the word representing the gurgling sound of water; Ital. doccione; Ger. Ausguss), are the carved terminations to a spout which conveys water away from the gutters.

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A similar type of sculpture that does not work as a waterspout and serves only an ornamental or artistic function is called a chimera, although these are typically referred to as gargoyles also.

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Gargoyles are mostly grotesque figures. A local legend that sprang up around the name of St. Romanus ("Romain") (631 – 641 A.D.), the former chancellor of the Merovingian king Clotaire II who was made bishop of Rouen, relates how he delivered the country around Rouen from a monster called Gargouille, having had the creature captured by a liberated prisoner. The gargoyle's grotesque form was said to scare off evil spirits so they were used for protection. In commemoration of St. Romain the Archbishops of Rouen were granted the right to set a prisoner free on the day that the reliquary of the saint was carried in procession (see details at Rouen.).

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The term gargoyle is applied most often to medieval work, but throughout all ages some means of throwing the water off roofs, when not conveyed in gutters, was adopted. In Egypt gargoyles eject the water used in the washing of the sacred vessels which seems to have been done on the flat roofs of the temples. In Greek temples, the water from roofs passed through the mouths of lions whose heads were carved or modelled in the marble or terra cotta cymatium of the cornice. At Pompeii many terra cotta gargoyles were found that are modelled in the shape of animals.

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Gargoyles, or more precisely chimerae, were used as decoration on 19th and early 20th century buildings in cities such as New York (where the Chrysler Building's aluminum gargoyles are celebrated), and Chicago.

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Statues representing gargoyle-like creatures are popular sales items, particularly in goth and New Age retail stores.

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Gargoyles (animated series): :This article is about the animated series. For the stone statues, see gargoyle....

Gargoyle Humor Magazine: Gargoyle Humor Magazine or The Gargoyle is the official student-run humor magazine for the University of Michigan. It has been satirizing both local and national events for over 90 years. The magazine is part of the University's Student Publications, which also includes the campus newspaper, The M...

Architecture: Architecture (in Greek αρχή = first and τέχνη = craftsmanship) is the art and science of designing buildings and structures. A wider definition would include within its scope the design of the total built environment, from the macrolevel of town planning,...

Gargoyle related Images and Photos (experimental)

Gargoyle Notre Dame Paris France	Gargoyle At Notre Dame	Attakus Gargoyle Statue	Notre Dame Gargoyle
Yoda Gargoyle Monster Mash-Ups Mini Star Wars Bobble Head	Ghost Hunters International Gargoyle T-Shirt [Black]	Ghost Hunters International Gargoyle T-Shirt	Ghost Hunters International Final Gargoyle Women's T-Shirt
Ghost Hunters International Final Gargoyle T-Shirt [Women's]	Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #29 Cover: Spider-Man and Grey Gargoyle