We have been studying the gothic architecture but we have not really gone over any gargoyles so I had to research about this. I found that gargoyle in french means gullet or throat, gargouille because the gargoyles on the cathedrals usually are used for down spouts for draining rain water from the cathedrals. Gargoyles are also can be considered Chimeras(which is like greek mythology)because they are made of parts of different animals.
Not only do they function for draining rain water but also they serve a sort of religious moral The reason why they were demon bat creatures on the churches was to remind people of the church being a safehaven for humans because the gargoyles symbolized the evil in the world; thats why they are outside the cathedrals and not inside. There are also the demon creatures who look like gargoyles but are called grotesques they are not gargoyles because they do not function like gargoyles; more like decoration.
Even on the chrystler building they were inspired by the gargoyles and consturcted what looks like a bird gargoyle, or more like a grotesque because it does not serve a function.
Notre Dame is most famous for its gargoyles.
I found that St. Vitus had many as well. It looks more human like. There are such a variety of gargoyles, bat, goat, pig,cat, dragon, and bird but they are not either of them but a combination of them.
There are just so many cool gargoyles!!! What I really like about them is their emotion carved in stone with the deep lines and hollowed or popping eyes. They have such unique character and I think that is what really is makes Gothic stand out from the Romansque or Byzatine art.
