What is the difference between gargoyles and chimeras

They are not a functional part of the drainage system. They can be on ledges and corners on the outside of buildings, but also on entrance keystones and other internal parts of the building. See below an example from the Cathedral Church of St. Mary, Lincoln, England. Decorative sculpture at the entrance of a building or other important place, such as a tomb or garden. The sphinx is a chimera of a lions body with the head of a human. A mermaid is another example. See an example of a guardian depicting a chimera below.

Of course, gargoyles go by different names in different languages which give clues to their function. In the middle ages the term babewyns referred to gargoyles as well as grotesques. In French, gargouille from the verb gargouiller means gurgle or rumble.

It is common to associate gargoyles, grotesques, and guardians with great churches and palaces of medieval Europe. In fact, they have all been used worldwide. The ancient Egyptians, Sumerians, Babylonians, Greek, Roman, and pre-modern China all have used these sculptural works.

Gargoyles are still being created today. They may be brand new designs or intended to replace badly deteriorated ones. There are different theories surrounding the elaborate nature of gargoyles. Gutters would have worked just as well without an embellished design. Also, grotesques and guardians served no water drainage purpose. So why make the gutters so ornamental? Various theories are:. See Related: Why you need to experience the Buckingham Fountain. Water drainage is important because of the damaging effects on buildings.

Unfortunately, all the elements take their toll on the gargoyles as well. Rain, ice, wind, pollution, bird droppings in addition to the running water all can wear down the sculpture to nothing. You will note that many gargoyles will have pipes inserted to reduce erosion.

Sadly, they are usually quite obvious and change the aesthetic of the sculpture. Gargoyles, grotesques, and guardians were made using a variety of materials. Often limestone and marble are the medium. Most sculptures were likely completed or nearly completed on the ground and then hoisted into place with a pulley system.

The carving was only a small piece of a larger block that was part of the building. They can be quite heavy weighing up to half a ton or more. There are wonderful gargoyles, grotesques, and guardians all over the world. And they are all unique. Furthermore, they are often physically far from the viewer.

These all add up making it impossible to see them all. I thought I would help you out and create a Hall of Fame. This will shed light on the extraordinary ones that stood out to me.

I hope you enjoy it. Do you recognize this quintessential grotesque? He represents gargoyles in popular culture due to the popularity of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Notre Dame, Paris, France. Is it just me or does it look like these guys have had enough guard duty? They definitely want off that ledge. Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito, Quito, Ecuador.

This guy is just calling for your attention with his bright colors and crown. Tallinn Town Hall, Tallinn, Estonia. With his view of the New York City streets, he definitely could lead the way. Rumor or political statement, this gargoyle was supposedly directed at the city council regarding a payment dispute. Freiburg Minster, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Dendera Temple, Dendera, Egypt.

Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D. Credit- Washington National Cathedral. Deterioration due to the elements has only caused this gargoyle to become even more haunting. Vitus Cathedral, Prague, Czech Republic. The detail and culture wrapped up in these guardians is enough to take your breath away. The gargoyles not only protect the building from temperamental weather, by preventing water from dripping to close to the walls.

Often frightening in some aspects, they represent monsters inspired by fantastic bestiaries, wild or domestic beasts, and even mankind. These monsters keep demons and evil forces away from the sacred walls that protect the community of churchgoers, by scaring them away. They also have a purifying role, since they digest unclean water and wastewater and keep it away from the walls. Their strange and mythical appearances have inspired artists, who saw within them fabulous creatures and incorporated them into their work.

Victor Hugo, for example, gives gargoyles a prominent role in his novel. Notre Dame de Paris. Their apparent ugliness, as well as their role as saviors, recalls the hunchbacked Quasimodo. The gargoyles of Notre-Dame watch over the building Gargoyles and chimeras watching over Notre-DameIf you've ever walked up to Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, you've definitely noticed funny-looking, fantastical sculptures within the rich decor of the cathedral's different facades, nestles between flying buttresses and pinnacles.

The symbolic role of the gargoyles of Notre-Dame de Paris.