Gargoyle sculptures have captured our imagination for centuries. Historically, these carvings are of hideous creatures with an assortment of animal and human mixed bodies. Posted, traditionally, on and around churches, doorways and graveyards, gargoyles seem to have undergone a transformation from their practical use as protectors of architectural deterioration into the symbolic, the artistic and the commercial.
A passerby might notice the sound of gargling water, when traveling past one of these curious sculptures. Thus, the term gargoyle is partially attributed to it. It is simple to conclude from this, that these statues served as parts of artfully designed, liquid drainage systems dealing mainly with rainfall. Hence, keeping the destructive erosion, done to buildings, by the weather, down to a minimum.
Superstitions have cropped up as a result of the grotesque appearances of these statues. Numbers of bird-faced humans and lion-headed snakes, to mention but a few, were thought to scare demons away. As well as acting as a deterrent for other less than savory elements, like would-be thieves and desecrators.
However, in these modern times, gargoyles have become the objects of more decorative, rather than functional use. The statues have been replicated as for gardens, walkways and in-home furnishings to name a few. It has even gone so far as to make it into novelty jewelry and stylized graphic shirts. As with common use, the more frightening elements of these ornamental sculptures have reduced to historical memory.
Gargoyles have, even, been adopted by the modern gothic sub-culture. Since, traditionally, gargoyles have been found in religious and taboo locations, gothic culture has found these sculptures an indispensable symbol of the darker side of the human psyche. As subjects like death and God are a couple of the complex themes the gothic culture is involved with. But, even here, their superstitious ancestry has all but dissipated into the annals of antiquity.
Obviously, the juggernaut of capitalization knows no bounds. Any entrepreneurial soul will attempt to make money off of something, if he or she finds there is a market for it. Unsurprisingly, gargoyles are not immune to this fact. As many whom identify with the gothic culture has an aesthetic taste for such disturbing sculpture.
Thus, even in this day and age, gargoyles can be seen lurking in all manner of places. Serving, nowadays, as subtle accents, they grace our everyday scene and maybe, just maybe, they still scare away a few demons. Here is to hoping. Read more about: Gargoyle Sculptures
A passerby might notice the sound of gargling water, when traveling past one of these curious sculptures. Thus, the term gargoyle is partially attributed to it. It is simple to conclude from this, that these statues served as parts of artfully designed, liquid drainage systems dealing mainly with rainfall. Hence, keeping the destructive erosion, done to buildings, by the weather, down to a minimum.
Superstitions have cropped up as a result of the grotesque appearances of these statues. Numbers of bird-faced humans and lion-headed snakes, to mention but a few, were thought to scare demons away. As well as acting as a deterrent for other less than savory elements, like would-be thieves and desecrators.
However, in these modern times, gargoyles have become the objects of more decorative, rather than functional use. The statues have been replicated as for gardens, walkways and in-home furnishings to name a few. It has even gone so far as to make it into novelty jewelry and stylized graphic shirts. As with common use, the more frightening elements of these ornamental sculptures have reduced to historical memory.
Gargoyles have, even, been adopted by the modern gothic sub-culture. Since, traditionally, gargoyles have been found in religious and taboo locations, gothic culture has found these sculptures an indispensable symbol of the darker side of the human psyche. As subjects like death and God are a couple of the complex themes the gothic culture is involved with. But, even here, their superstitious ancestry has all but dissipated into the annals of antiquity.
Obviously, the juggernaut of capitalization knows no bounds. Any entrepreneurial soul will attempt to make money off of something, if he or she finds there is a market for it. Unsurprisingly, gargoyles are not immune to this fact. As many whom identify with the gothic culture has an aesthetic taste for such disturbing sculpture.
Thus, even in this day and age, gargoyles can be seen lurking in all manner of places. Serving, nowadays, as subtle accents, they grace our everyday scene and maybe, just maybe, they still scare away a few demons. Here is to hoping. Read more about: Gargoyle Sculptures
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