In architecture, the gargoyles , whose name derives from the French word gargouille or throat, are the final part of the gutter through which water is poured from the roofs. These elements, used since ancient times, were sculpted imitating the heads of real or mythological animals.
Gargoyles are night terrors and guardians at the same time, monstrous creatures of stone or copper, who stalk evildoers and protect sacred buildings for centuries. These figures experienced their peak during the Middle Ages, with Gothic architecture, but they have been with us for much longer..
By releasing rainwater into the void, the gargoyles protect the cathedral and prevent excess runoff from causing damage to the stone.
That is the main difference between gargoyles and chimeras. The former serve to evacuate rainwater, while the latter have decorative purposes.
So, although many people may believe that they are only part of the decoration of churches or cathedrals, these structures have the important function of “protecting” these religious and sacred spaces.
Regarding iconography, gargoyles can be classified into three types of figures: humans, animals and monsters. Thus, you can find figures of real animals, grotesque humans and fantastic or mythological monsters, some with anthropomorphic characteristics.
Gargoyles of the Cathedral of Segovia, Image by Antonio Marín Segovia, in Flickr
Regarding the symbolic origin of the gargoyle figures, there has been many conjectures about it.
Among the animals, the most represented are lions and dogs, but also goats and eagles.
Among the fantastic beings, griffins, harpies, demons, dragons, mermaids and others that emerged from the artist’s imagination.