The Devil and his Portrayal in Gargoyles II. Art History and Research

We continue with devilish symbolism and its portrayal in gargoyles and, after having seen the most common features of iconography of the devil in my first post, we’re now going to look at some other interesting aspects.

Apart from the images of the devil himself, gargoyles also show figures from other typologies that either depict the devil or have some sort of demonic connotation.

Some fantastical creatures, not only from mythological works but also from folk tradition and superstition, are sometimes associated with evil and symbolise the devil, such as the dragon, gryphon, siren, basilisk, etc.

Dragons. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).

This kind of connection can also be seen with real animals, a link that relates to animal symbolism and especially to their negative powers, which we discussed in my posts about images of unusual animals in gargoyles. Apart from the bat, an animal linked to devilish symbolism, there are animals and figures of hybrids with devil-style features (bat’s wings, horns, protuberance, ferocious expressions, crests, goatee beards, etc.). Some sources identify the devil with certain animals. Grivot talks about the devil in the life of some saints, revealing a very interesting source on the metamorphosis of the devil when he manifests himself and pointing to accounts that help us to understand some of the artistic portrayals of this character. For example, he tells that in 988, Saint Dunstan, Abbot of Gladstone Monastery, says that the devil manifests himself in the form of a bear, dog or fox. In 1035, Saint Simeon of Trier heard demons howling like wolves, grunting like pigs, roaring like lions, cawing like crows and imitating eagles, kites and vultures. In the 13th century, Saint Domingo saw Satan in the form of a crocodile. In 1237, the Blessed Jutte, a hermit in Huy (Belgium), saw the devil in the form of monkeys, lions, bears, forest creatures and snakes. In 1292, Father Victor de Buch, from the Company of Jesus, tells how the Blessed Benvenuta Bojani, from Friuli, a sister in the Third Order of Saint Dominic, was pursued by the devil in the form of a cat, snake, monster and dog.

Animal hybrid. The Catedral of St. Maurice in Mirepoix (France).

Animal hybrid. Burgos Cathedral (Spain).

Animal hybrid. The Cathedral of St. Étienne in Cahors (France).

Animal hybrid. Brussels Cathedral (Belgium).

One of the most well-known portrayals of the devil is as a billy goat. The symbolic meaning of this dates back to classic Antiquity, with the figures of Pan and Silenus. These characters were lewd satyrs, half man and half goat, with pointed ears, a huge phallus, goatee beard, a goat’s tail, hooves, horns and hair on the lower half of their bodies, features that have passed down into the iconography of the devil. Saint Jerome said that fauns and satyrs were lascivious demons and symbols of the devil.

Billy goat. Salamanca Cathedral (Spain).

Billy goat. Astorga Cathedral (Spain).

Billy goat. Palencia Cathedral (Spain).

Lastly, there are also gargoyles with anthropomorphic devils, in many cases impressive, terrifying images, showing an extraordinary creativity that makes them amazing, fascinating figures.