Poetry and Poems

For centuries now, gargoyle sculptures have fascinated the public mind. These hideous carved creatures come in all manner of body mixtures, from human to animal. Gracing a myriad of doorways, graveyards and churches, these abominable statues, traditionally, protected from deterioration, the architecture they inhabited. But, in our modern times, their practical use has transformed into the symbolic, the commercial and the artistic.

Someone gargling water is what one may think of when passing by a traditional gargoyle. Hence, one of the meanings of name, gargoyle, is just that, gargling. It is easy, then, to ascertain that gargoyles were originally for dealing with rainfall and other moisture, as a part of artful drainage systems. Thus, reducing the damage done to buildings by erosive elements.

Superstitions surrounded the statues as a result of their grotesque appearance. Hosts of lion-bodied birds and dragon-bodied, beak-nosed humans, to name a few, were believed to ward off demonic forces. Driving off would-be desecrators and thieves was thought to be a function of these monstrous sculptures as well.

However, in these modern times, gargoyles have become the objects of more decorative, rather than functional use. The statues have been replicated as for gardens, walkways and in-home furnishings to name a few. It has even gone so far as to make it into novelty jewelry and stylized graphic shirts. As with common use, the more frightening elements of these ornamental sculptures have reduced to historical memory.

In the modern gothic sub-culture, gargoyles have discovered a home. With interest in the darker areas of the human psyche, gargoyles have become a valued symbol to this genre because of their history in and around religious and taboo locals. Affiliation with complex subjects like death and God, have only served to further entice the gothic interest in these frightening statues. But, their superstitious ancestry has almost disappeared into the annals of antiquity.

Obviously, none of the above mentioned stops the juggernaut of capitalization. If there is a market for it, some entrepreneurial spirit will likely attempt to make a quick buck. So, it is of no surprise that gargoyles have not escaped this fact, since many a self-identified gothic culture-lover has found a taste for these disturbing, three-dimensional depictions.

Lurking about, gargoyles can be found in many a place. As they subtly accent our personal decor, perhaps, they may, even, still encourage demons to run away. Once can only hope. Read more about: Gargoyle Sculptures

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