Since 1992
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By Barbara McAllister
Word of the Day: Gargoyle
Gargoyles are those grotesque figures seen especially on gothic architecture that originally served the practical purpose of waterspouts. They were designed to convey water off the roof and away from the side of the building to prevent rainwater running down the side of a building and eroding the mortar. The word itself comes from the Old French “gargouille,” meaning throat or gullet. It also produced the word gargle, which describes the sound the water produces as it mixes with air in the throat.
Gargoyles were thought to have been placed on churches to represent the visual horrors of hell to a largely illiterate population. It emphasized the point that salvation could be found within, so gargoyles started as a kind of incentive to go to church. Although technically a gargoyle was a functional part of architecture, the word is used now to describe any number of carved, grotesque, fanciful beasts.
Some of the best-known iconic gargoyles are found on the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, but the figures pop up everywhere. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, became known for hundreds of the grotesque figures they added during the 19th century, when the city embraced a gothic architecture revival fad. The city’s History and Landmarks Foundation runs a Downtown Dragons tour just to view them.
The National Cathedral, in Washington, D.C., is also known for its gargoyles, which retain their function of channeling rainwater away from stone walls to prevent erosion to the structure. They can also be seen on a gargoyles tour. There is even a Darth Vader gargoyle on the National Cathedral, the result of a contest held in the early 80s. It was aptly placed high on the north wall on what is known as the ‘dark side’. It can be viewed on the cathedral’s website.
