I'd heard the theory that gargoyles were a way of frightening away evil, but this is the first time I've seen the St. Romanus origin story.
With regard to dragons and the idea that the Church used dragon imagery to remind the illiterate of what the Church protected against, it's worth noting that the Church often used the dragon as a symbol of Satan. (So St. George killing the dragon became an allegory for the the battle against Satan.) The connection was perhaps facilitated by the fact that ancient Greek dragons were enormous serpents, so it was not too big a leap to associate them with the serpent in Genesis, which Christians had long ago identified with Satan. The fact that dragons breathed fire also made the connection seem more natural.
Thank you! The never-ending ways those in power use fear to control people is mind-boggling. Such a good point about St. George and Satan. I hadn't thought of slaying dragons as a direct connection to vanquishing Satan before which is a bit crazy since I was raised with a healthy dose of religion and dragons but of course it makes total sense. As I was researching the St. Romulus story, it does seem like he was promoted to bishop partially because he took care of Goji. I'm so curious to the actual events that created this legend were. Like did he just help take care of some flooding caused by the swamps?
Wow, I love this. I find gargoyles fascinating, especially with the idea that they were used to scare away evil spirits when they themselves look like evil spirits. I wonder if there is more history behind the Catholic church using such ugly depictions to "guard" a holy place against malevolent apparitions. Awesome article!
Welp, I will never look at goji berries the same way again after this.
haha. Possible reason they are a superfood.
I used to love that gargoyles animation!
So good!
I didn't know the story about Goji, but the Gargoyles show has the *best* opening theme ever.
Interesting discussion and well-chosen images!
I'd heard the theory that gargoyles were a way of frightening away evil, but this is the first time I've seen the St. Romanus origin story.
With regard to dragons and the idea that the Church used dragon imagery to remind the illiterate of what the Church protected against, it's worth noting that the Church often used the dragon as a symbol of Satan. (So St. George killing the dragon became an allegory for the the battle against Satan.) The connection was perhaps facilitated by the fact that ancient Greek dragons were enormous serpents, so it was not too big a leap to associate them with the serpent in Genesis, which Christians had long ago identified with Satan. The fact that dragons breathed fire also made the connection seem more natural.
Thank you! The never-ending ways those in power use fear to control people is mind-boggling. Such a good point about St. George and Satan. I hadn't thought of slaying dragons as a direct connection to vanquishing Satan before which is a bit crazy since I was raised with a healthy dose of religion and dragons but of course it makes total sense. As I was researching the St. Romulus story, it does seem like he was promoted to bishop partially because he took care of Goji. I'm so curious to the actual events that created this legend were. Like did he just help take care of some flooding caused by the swamps?
"Gargoyles" was a very intriguing show- it used mythic lore as source material with singular grace.
so true!
Good one!
Wow, I love this. I find gargoyles fascinating, especially with the idea that they were used to scare away evil spirits when they themselves look like evil spirits. I wonder if there is more history behind the Catholic church using such ugly depictions to "guard" a holy place against malevolent apparitions. Awesome article!