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| Notre-Dame de Paris (Krzysztof Mizera) |
With the advent of drainpipes during the early eighteenth century, architectural gargoyles became less and less common.
These monstrous-looking additions to churches and other buildings can be not only psychologically frightening, but also physically threatening.
Wikipedia explains that “sometimes heavy ones fell off, causing damage.” Therefore, as early as 1724, “the London Building Act… made the use of downpipes compulsory on all new construction.”
Nevertheless, gargoyles remain on many famous churches (e.g., Notre-Dame de Paris, Cologne Cathedral and Washington National Cathedral). Why would such demonic-looking creatures be incorporated into these divine structures?
One historic reason was to send a message to the illiterate masses about the concept of evil. Another was to allegedly frighten evil spirits away from the church so that the congregation could feel safe within the decorated walls.
However, not all clerics of old were on board with this practice.
During the 12th century, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux voiced his displeasure with these words: What is the meaning of these
unclean monkeys, these strange savage
lions, and monsters… Surely if we
do not blush for such
absurdities, we should at least regret
what we have spent on them.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gargoyle
Copyright September 6, 2014 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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