Stone monster - Gargoyles

Gargoyles is very disgusting, horrible and hideous creatures.
To be attentive, you can see them in many places, hanging over our heads.
Take a look at these mysterious creatures.




1. gargoyle - a carved stone grotesque figure who created to divert water from the roof and side facades of large buildings.



2. Normally, we associate them with the medieval times (due to one not obscure the hunchback), but they appeared much earlier. This is not just scary statue. Many gargoyles are in the form of certain animals, and this is no coincidence.



3. Leo.
Lion and Lioness were the favorite images of the founders of gargoyles. For example, at the Cathedral Dornoch in Scotland there is such a cute lion, grinning at passersby below. Leo was one of the most popular non-European animal, which was used in the Middle Ages when the decoration of churches and cathedrals. Later, they became popular in the form of gargoyles (a lot of them in Pompeii), and they symbolized the sun - their golden mane was a solar crown our lives.



4. However, in the Middle Ages, the builders of cathedrals used the lion as a symbol of pride, which, of course, was one of the seven deadly sins, and because it should be avoided. Here is the lion, for example, looks pretty proud. It is located in one of the colleges in France. Apart from lions to create gargoyles were not used other cats. Cats were a symbol of witchcraft, so they avoided.



5. Dog. Here is the gargoyle is on the tower of Philip IV the Fair in the Palace in Dijon, again, in France.
Dogs have always been very popular, and they rarely looked just as pets. They guarded the house at night, so they were considered clever and loyal. On the one hand, it can be assumed that as a gargoyle statues of dogs had to guard the building, but their presence on the roofs and caused by another reason. Dogs are always hungry and they often steal food from humans, so at the time their figures are often placed in the cathedrals and churches for all to see that even such a faithful animal, like a dog, may be tempted of the devil and become a victim of greed.



6. Wolf.
Although wolves, too greedy thought, to be treated with some respect because These animals have always worked together. It was then that originated the expression "leader of the pack." Wolves are also associated with priests who were supposed to protect people from the devil - so the wolf even managed to get in the way of God's lambs defender. Gargoyles on the roof is also often gathered in the "pack" because Architects would take rainwater in different directions. During a rainstorm gargoyles would be insufficient. Gargoyles do outstretched, that water flowed as far as possible from the wall.



7. Eagle. Gargoyle in the form of an eagle on the Cathedral of St. Rumbolds in Mechelen, Belgium.
The Eagles were the protectors of buildings, in particular, from the dragons, because, as people believed the medieval, the Eagles were the only beings capable of defeating the winged serpent. They said that they can heal themselves by looking directly at the sun, which has long been a personification of the deity.



8. Snake. This kite on the building in Krakow, Poland, warns people about the sins of the flesh.
The snake is associated with original sin, and because of this stone animal can be found in almost all the cathedrals of Europe. From the time of Adam and Eve, the serpent is a symbol of the constant struggle between good and evil. Among the seven deadly sins snake symbolizes envy. They also believed bessmetnymi, which indicates that the fight against sin will continue forever.



9. Sheep or goat. This is a gargoyle on the cathedral in Barcelona.
Like most of the presented animals, the goat has also had a dual nature in the eyes of medieval Christians. On the one hand, they were considered divine because they were able to find food even among steep cliffs and survive in the most difficult situations. On the other hand, they were considered a symbol of evil creatures and lust - even one of the seven deadly sins. Well, of course - which animal is usually associated with Satan?



10. Monkey.
In our immediate family we have always looked like that would happen to us if something goes wrong nature. However, they are often considered stupid and lazy. That is why they personified another mortal sin - laziness. Here is the gargoyle in the form of a monkey in Paris, which is not surprising, because the word "gargoyle" was born in the French language. Once the word «Gargouille» meant the word "throat", and the word itself comes from the Latin.



11. Other languages ​​are more accurate. The Italian gargoyle called «grónda sporgente», Choate literally means "protruding gutter." In German, they are called «Wasserspeier» - «plevateley water", and the Dutch went a step further and called gargoyles «waterspuwer» - «izrygivayuschie water».



12. And by the way, this Dutch word «waterspuwer» in the English language came to the verb «to spew» (belch). However, if you do not take into account the "animals" of impersonation gargoyles, then all of them are often considered chimeras.



13. This is a chimera of York Minster in England, which is generally the most famous of these chimeras.
Although we are no longer afraid of the chimera, medieval people were quite superstitious and uneducated, and they thought their terrible creatures. Chimera is born when two different bodies merge to create an entirely new creature, for example, Griffin (or a mermaid, a figure which is still popular in the creation of fountains).



14. Milan Cathedral has an interesting set of chimeras - Renaissance thinkers there are close to these strange creatures from the imagination of madmen. These chimeras on the roofs of cathedrals and other buildings stood for those who underestimate the power of the devil. Although the devil can not create life, he can mix different forms of life, to get a new one - that is to say, a chimera.



15. one of the most famous gargoyles in the world can be found at Notre Dame.



16. Even the studio "Disney" could not pass by these interesting creatures.



17. Legend of the gargoyle. The French have been the legend of one of their saints - Romaine. In the 17th century it was made a bishop, and he had to battle with the creature called Gargully. It was a dragon-creature with wings, a long neck and the ability to spew fire from its mouth.



18. Having conquered the dragon, Romain could not destroy his head, as it tempered the fire of his own mouth. Then Romaine put it on the walls of the cathedral, it is frightening to the evil forces. Well, this gargoyle on the image in the Cathedral Basilica of St-Jan van.



19. On the walls of the Cathedral of St. Vitus in Prague there are some pretty scary gargoyles, but this is not allowed, and not even a chimera. These are people. A moment frozen in time curse for hundreds of medieval souls across Europe.



20. opened his mouth, they scream through the ages, reminding that you need to be able to resist the devil, otherwise it can happen to you! Probably the most terrible gargoyles - it's still the ones that remind us of ourselves.



21. This terrible example of the human form in an image is also gargoyles on the cathedral of St. Vitus in Prague. Moreover, the tube through which water flows, so ominously sticking out of his mouth, it seems that it's just inhumanly long tongue.



22. This is a gargoyle on a cathedral in Nottingham. It reminds all generations that we should not try to bite his nails. All who read Chaucer, certainly tremble at a meeting with vulgar emotion of the Middle Ages.



23. gargoyle in Valencia, Spain, which seems to remind that there is no doubt that the devil can pick you up when and where he pleases, if you do not watch out for your life.



24. Again, in Spain - unhappy woman at the cathedral in Valencia Lonya captured at the moment of agony.



25. Well, this is a modern gargoyle. And who would have thought you could do such a miracle? Well, of course, the Germans. Very much they take literally the word "gargoyle" - pouring water.



Source: bigpicture.ru

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