Another Halloween Themed Post,

about these fearsome and strange creatures that are found on churches,

gargoyles, they are commonly carved into the design of old churches, and sometimes new buildings, typically in the form of a monstrous animal or human,

all of the photographs on this post taken by myself in Scotland, Germany and France,

many times gargoyles in Gothic churches were attached to the seamless gutter system of the roofing, 

with the mouth of the gargoyle functioning as a spout for rain, aiding keep the masonry from being ruined,

they came to be icons,

here are a few more, with below at the end of the post a list of the 5 types of icons used utilizing reoccurring styles, 

 

1. Faces with numerous smaller figures and also one big figure, or one number with mouth agape and sticking out tongue: Represents the insignificance of the specific as well as exactly how prone we are to bigger powers.

2. Separated heads: A real practice of the Celts, who were head seekers. They venerated the heads they severed and also believed these heads held supernatural powers.

3. Unclear sex and also types: Specimens once more date back to the Pagans. The Pagan religious beliefs existed to overcome chaos and danger. These Gargoyles are deceptive of the fear of the unknown. This type of Gargoyle is currently called “Grotesque.”.

4. Head laced with branches as well as leaves: A branch coming out of the mouth or surrounding the head suggested divinity to the Celts. The Druids typically illustrated oak leaves, as the oak was spiritual to them. This is often described as the “Eco-friendly Man” today.

5.  Sexual Themes: Made Use Of by the Pagan religious beliefs as symbols of fertility. If utilised on outside wall surfaces, they were thought to dissuade wickedness. Once again, we return to the global anxiety of sexuality that exists even today.

I mentioned in an earlier post, what nightmares the stone mansions must have had to think of and shape these creatures.