Gargoyles of Saint John

Take a look around you in Trinity Royal. They crouch in the corners and lurk under windows. They curl around drainpipes and blend into doorways. They're so clever at hiding that most folks, even locals haven't seen them at all!

But we know where these creatures live. We see them all the time. So take a quiet stroll around and look up into the shadows for the Gargoyles of Trinity Royal!

What is a Gargoyle?
These grotesque but oddly appealing creations have captured our fancy since the Middle Ages. Believed to ward off evil and protect the dwelling in which they reside, these stony creatures were originally designed by medieval architects as rain spouts. The name "gargoyle" comes from the gurgling of the water through the spout, in which they were originally designed. But what do these odd creatures symbolize?

Disembodied Heads
You will see a lot of heads that have become detached from their bodies. This harks back to the 5th Century Celts who were, in fact, head-hunters. They worshipped the heads that they had severed, believing them to hold a powerful force. If you make eye contact with one, you may find out that this is true.

Gender/Species Combinations
Figures of uncertain gender and species are frequently encountered in the world of gargoyles. Ancient people were no different from people today in finding combinations of male/female or human/animal bodies somewhat frightening.

Pagan religion existed to confront and surmount chaos and danger. This chaos is represented by lifeforms which do not fit into known categories.

Gaping Mouths
You will find that an inordinate number of gargoyles have their mouths wide open and their tongues protruding. Why?

The mouth pulled open is a frequent symbol of devouring giants. In order to convey size in a small sculpture, much smaller figures are placed next to the "giant". The act of pulling the mouth open is a threatening gesture which serves to remind us that we are vulnerable to forces larger than ourselves.

The Green Man
Also called Jack-of-the-Green or leaf man, it represents the tree spirit, the old forest god of the oak, and oak leaves are often depicted. To the Druids, the oak tree was a symbol of fertility and rebirth, representing irrepressible life, with the forces of nature merging with humanity. In medieval times, the Green Man could have represented lust or another of the seven deadly sins, but he may also have protective functions.

Animals
These gargoyles were depicted in varying degrees of fidelity to nature. Entire animals were likely to be posed as if holding by its claws onto the building. They seem to stretch as if trying to throw their water as far as possible from the building. These were not only animals the stone mason knew by sight, but also exotic animals like for example lions and monkeys, and fantastic animals like the dragon.

Chimeras
Gargoyles combining several animals are also called chimeras. In Greek mythology a chimera is an imaginary creature that breathes fire, has a lion's head, a goat's body and a snakes tail, but the term is often used to name animal-animal mixtures.

When being depicted in medieval times, they are generally viewed as sexual warnings, and warnings about the deception in physical appearances that comes with underestimating the devil.