Why Do Cathedrals Have Gargoyles?

[Cure of Ars]

The first purpose of these creatures for the medieval man was didactic - to teach. Unlike modern man, medieval man did not create their monsters to be the stuffed-animal companions or like extra-terrestrial friends for their children. Instead, their express purpose was to frighten, to startle man amid his everyday life. These fantastic beasts were destined to be a clear and constant reminder that the devil and original sin exist. Alongside the beauty and splendor of the magnificent cathedral, the serpent lurks. They were born from a mentality that understand the need for constant vigilance. Just as the brilliant stained glass window was the Gospel in crystal, the gargoyle elucidated in stone those grave words of St. Peter: "Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5: 8).

written by Marian Therese Horvat

[jmjtina]

Thanks Cure, I always wondered about those gargoyles............. :ph34r:

[Paladin D]

Wow, didn't know that.

[[jas]]

So, in other words, they were a way of scaring people into submission?

[jasJis]

,Oct 3 2003, 08:10 AM] So, in other words, they were a way of scaring people into submission?

Exactly! We are scared from being tricked by the devil like Adam and Eve and become willing to submit to God's will (and not eat the darn apple! ).

Thanks, jas. Finally something we can agree on.

ps: Besides, avoiding the devil beats flinging poo at them.

Edited October 3, 2003 by jasJis

[[jas]]

Exactly!  We are scared from being tricked by the devil like Adam and Eve and become willing to submit to God's will (and not eat the darn apple!  ).

Hmmm.... okay then. Great motive! I guess I personally disagree with the method of trying to scare people (for the same reason that I disagree with the method of fire-and-brimstone preachers). I guess it doesn't strike me as in the character of God to scare his children. But I see where you're coming from.

Thanks, jas.  Finally something we can agree on.

Actually I would have hoped we could agree on a lot more (regardless of differences in our respective thologies). Such as, say, Jesus' death and resurection being the only way for us to be restored into relationship with God...

But let's got get off-topic :P

[PedroX]

Not just to "scare them into submission" but to remind us to take spritual things seriously. God is a loving God, and Satan wants to destroy us.

There also was something about their being place originally as gutter spouts. I think it symbolized that the evil was washing off the church. That inside was sanctuary.

peace...

[ReformationNow]

The first purpose of these creatures for the medieval man was didactic - to teach. Unlike modern man, medieval man did not create their monsters to be the stuffed-animal companions or like extra-terrestrial friends for their children. Instead, their express purpose was to frighten, to startle man amid his everyday life. These fantastic beasts were destined to be a clear and constant reminder that the devil and original sin exist. Alongside the beauty and splendor of the magnificent cathedral, the serpent lurks. They were born from a mentality that understand the need for constant vigilance. Just as the brilliant stained glass window was the Gospel in crystal, the gargoyle elucidated in stone those grave words of St. Peter: "Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5: 8). 

written by Marian Therese Horvat

I did research into this once. It's my understanding that gargoyles were a middle ages superstition. It was believed that Gargoyles were protectors of the Church and kept demons and witches at bay.

[ironmonk]

I also heard at one time gargoyles where the fallen angels that wanted to come back to God, to make up for their sins against God, they were to gaurd the House of God.

I'll have to do some more research into it.

The reminding about the evil one also sounds logical... but I don't think it's as facinating as we all might think...

Here is what Britannica has on it...

Gargoyle

Encyclopædia Britannica Article

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. The word later became restricted mainly to the grotesque, carved spouts of the European Middle Ages. It is often, although incorrectly, applied to other grotesque beasts, such as the chimères (chimeras) that decorate the parapets of Notre-Dame at Paris. The gargoyle of the developed Gothic period is usually a grotesque bird or beast sitting on its haunches on the back of a cornice molding and projected forward for several feet in order to throw the water far from the building.

Chimera

Encyclopædia Britannica Article

in Greek mythology, a fire-breathing female monster resembling a lion in the forepart, a goat in the middle, and a dragon behind. She devastated Caria and Lycia until she was slain by Bellerophon. In art the Chimera is usually represented as a lion with a goat's head in the middle of its back. The word is now used generally to denote a fantastic idea or figment of the imagination.

Chimera, or chimère, in architecture, is a term loosely used for any grotesque, fantastic, or imaginary beast used in decoration.

...Now, a Chimera could have been used to remind people of the evil one lurking around.

Your Servant in Christ,

ironmonk

[Guest jrob8503]

All I know is they look beaver dam cool on already cool gothic cathedrals. Frankly, I wish more of that archiectecture would be used on churchs today.

[Jake Huether]

All I know is they look beaver dam cool on already cool gothic cathedrals.  Frankly, I wish more of that archiectecture would be used on churchs today.

ditto