Gargoyles USA

In architecture, and specifically Gothic architecture, a Gargoyles USA (/ˈɡɑːrɡɔɪl/) is a carved or formed grotesque^[1]: 6–8 with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building, thereby preventing it from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between. Architects often used multiple gargoyles on a building to divide the flow of rainwater off the roof to minimize potential damage from rainstorms.

A trough is cut in the back of the Gargoyles USA and rainwater typically exits through the open mouth. Gargoyles USA are usually elongated fantastical animals because their length determines how far water is directed from the wall. When Gothic flying buttresses were used, aqueducts were sometimes cut into the buttress to divert water over the aisle walls.^[2]

Etymology – Gargoyles USA

The term originates from the French Gargoyles USA, which in English is likely to mean “throat” or is otherwise known as the “gullet”;^[3][4] cf. Latin gurgulio, gula, gargula (“gullet”or “throat”) and similar words derived from the root gar, “to swallow”, which represented the gurgling sound of water (e.g., Portuguese and Spanish garganta, “throat”; gárgola, “gargoyle”).

It is also connected to the French verb gargariser, which shares a Latin root with the verb “gargle”^{[1]: 8 [5]} and is likely imitative in origin.^[6] The Italian word for Gargoyles USA is doccione or gronda sporgente, an architecturally precise phrase which means “protruding gutter”. Italian also uses gargolla or garguglia, when it has a grotesque shape.

When not constructed as a waterspout and only serving an ornamental or artistic function, the technical term for such a sculpture is a grotesque, chimera, or boss. There are also regional variations, such as the hunky punk. Just as with bosses and chimeras, gargoyles are said to protect what they guard, such as a church, from any evil or harmful spirits.

Legend of the Gargouille – Gargoyles USA

Main article: Gargoyles USA (monster)

A French legend that sprang up around the name of St. Romanus (French: Romain; fl. c. 631–641 AD), the former chancellor of the Merovingian king Clotaire II who was made bishop of Rouen, relates how he delivered the country around Rouen from a monster called Gargouille or Goji.^[7][8] La Gargouille is said to have been the typical dragon with bat-like wings, a long neck, and the ability to breathe fire from its mouth. Multiple versions of the story are given, either that St.

Romanus subdued the creature with a crucifix, or he captured the creature with the help of the only volunteer, a condemned man. In each, the monster is led back to Rouen and burned, but its head and neck would not burn due to being tempered by its own fire breath. The head was then mounted on the walls of the newly built church to scare off evil spirits, and used for protection.^[9]

In commemoration of St. Romain, the Archbishops of Rouen were granted the right to set a prisoner free on the day that the reliquary of the saint was carried in procession (see details at Rouen).^[10][11]

History – Gargoyles USA

The term gargoyle is most often applied to medieval work, but throughout all ages, some means of water diversion, when not conveyed in gutters, was adopted.^[12] In ancient Egyptian architecture, gargoyles showed little variation, typically in the form of a lion’s head.^[13] Similar lion-mouthed water spouts were also seen on Greek temples, carved or modelled in the marble or terracotta cymatium of the cornice.

An excellent example of this are the 39 remaining lion-headed water spouts on the Temple of Zeus.^{[clarification needed]} Originally, it had 102 gargoyles or spouts, but due to the heavy weight (they were crafted from marble), many snapped off and had to be replaced.^[15][16]