The word grotesque is used as an adjective in literature meaning strange, ugly, unpleasant, fantastic, or disgusting. Grotesque comes from the Latin word “grotto” which means a small cave, or hollow. Grotesques are very similar to gargoyles because they too are used for protection.
Instead, the head was mounted on a church wall to scare off evil spirits, and to protect the church. However, La Gargouille’s head, and neck would not burn, because of it’s own fire breathing abilities. In both versions, La Gargouille was led back to Rouen, and burned the creature. The other version claimed the creature was captured by the chancellor, and another man. One was a chancellor of the Merovingian king, Clotaire II, who subdued La Gargouille with a crucifix. There are multiple versions of the story. Gargoyles came to be from the story, “The Legend of Gargouille.” This tells the story of a dragon creature with bat wings, a long neck, and the ability to breathe fire through its mouth. Instead of using gargoyles, the idea of drainpipes was born. Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Etruscans used animal heads as gargoyles, like lions.ĭuring the 18 century people stopped using gargoyles, because when the old or poorly made ones fell off of buildings they caused great damage, and scared people. In the 12th century, they appeared in Europe on churches, and attracted people to become a part of the Roman Catholic Church.
Gargoyles are usually made from granite, and are found on old churches, and gothic structures. The water would pour out of the gargoyle through a trough that was cut in the figure’s neck, that went through the mouth, and out. They were also used as a water spout, to drain rainwater that may harm, or ruin a building. They ward off any evil, harmful, or unwanted spirits, to protect homes, and churches. The term gargoyle originates from the French word “gargouille.” Gargoyles are used for many reasons. Both structures are commonly known, and have a very eerie look to them.
Gargoyles and Grotesque are two very similar works of art, but they get mixed up all of the time.
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