Here is a quadruped with a serpent's head, there a fish with a quadruped's head, then again an animal half horse, half goat. “What are these fantastic monsters doing in the cloisters before the eyes of the brothers as they read? What is the meaning of these unclean monkeys, these strange savage lions, and monsters? To what purpose are here placed these creatures, half beast, half-man, or these spotted tigers? I see several bodies with one head and several heads with one body. When people think of gargoyles, most envision monsters and dragons and the like, but there are also other intriguing and odd figures.

'The Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C has 112 gargoyles (rain-diversion devices with a spout) and over 1,000 other grotesques (without a spout). Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153) was famous for speaking out against gargoyles most probably didn't fully understand their role when he wrote: What's important is, not all grotesques are gargoyles, but all gargoyles are indeed grotesques.Ī French abbot, St. Gargoyles always have drainage conduits, other carved beast depictions have not.

It is often - but incorrectly - applied to other grotesque beasts.

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