Gargoyles – Dolores Herrero

Gargopedia

Gargoyles and the Representation of the Devil: Part Three

Dolores Herrero Ferrio

 

This post continues with the portrayal of the devil in gargoyles, one of their predominant themes. In this third part, we explore figures with serpents—an animal closely linked to demonic iconography—and we also examine other striking demons commonly found in the medieval imagination: gastrocéphalic demons.

 

The Serpent and Its Demonic Association in Gargoyles

In Christian iconography, the snake is linked with the idea of evil and the devil. “Every creature that moves along the ground is to be regarded as unclean” (Lev. 11, 41-42). In the book of Genesis it’s a symbol of carnal desire and the devil.

The snake appears many times in gargoyles: trapping, biting, on the end of tails or feet, etc. According to Rebold Benton, figures with snakes winding around them could be a reference to the snake coiled round the tree in the Garden of Eden.

 

The Serpent as a Phallic Symbol in Demonic Representations

Sometimes devils are seen with phallic snakes instead of penises. The depiction of the phallus is a trait linked to the devil and to some images of satyrs in which they are shown exposing it. This could also signify greater power and may date back to Bes, a god in ancient times, as pro-phallic portrayals have been around since the 4th century BC.

 

 

Gastrocéphalic Demons in Gargoyles

Many gargoyles feature gastrocephalic devils. The head in the belly can convey the idea that the centre of the brain has descended to the lower parts of the body. Émile Mâle refers to the displacement of intelligence to serve the basest of instincts.

 

Multiple Faces in Demonic Figures

You can also find devils with two or more faces or heads on other parts of the body (chest, back, feet). This unsettling multiplicity of faces often resembles masks surrounding the body, usually grotesque and mocking in appearance, giving the gargoyle an imaginary quality and therefore an unreal presence.

 

 

Imagination and Symbolism in Demonic Iconography

The serpent, the multiple faces, and the gastrocéphalic figure are all ways of representing evil that gargoyle sculptors expressed with remarkable creativity and imagination. These are magnificent gargoyles—some truly unsettling—marked by extraordinary plasticity and expressiveness; works well worth contemplating.

 

 

Bibliography

BURBANK BRIDAHAM, L., The Gargoyle Book. 572 examples from Gothic Architecture, New York, Dover Publications, Inc., 2006.

CASTELLI, E., De lo demoníaco en el arte. Su significación filosófica, Santiago de Chile, Ediciones de la Universidad de Chile, 1963.

GRIVOT, D., Le diable dans la cathedrale, Paris, Editions Morel, 1960.

LINK, L., El Diablo. Una máscara sin rostro, Madrid, Editorial Síntesis, S. A., 2002.

REBOLD BENTON, J., Holy Terrors. Gargoyles on medieval buildings, New York, Abbeville Press, 1997.

 

 

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of Burgos. A demon with female breasts.Gargoyles and the Representation of the Devil: Part Four
Anthropomorphic demon gargoyle of the Cathedral of Burgos. Located on the lantern tower.The Gargoyles of the Lantern Tower of Burgos Cathedral
Demon gargoyle of the Cathedral of Burgos. It has bat wings.Gargoyles with Bat-like Wings: Dante’s Vision of the Devil
Gargoyle from the Lonja of Valencia. A demon with a small creature and faces on its body.Gargoyles and the Representation of the Devil: Part One
Demonic gargoyle on the Cathedral of Bayonne (France).Gargoyles and the Representation of the Devil: Part Two
Gárgola demoníaca de la Catedral de Bayonne (Francia).Gárgolas y la representación del demonio: Parte II
Gargoyle from the University of Alcalá de Henares (Madrid). It is a human figure.The Gargoyles of the University of Alcalá de Henares: A Sculptural Legacy of Madrid, Spain’s Heritage
Gárgola de la Lonja de Valencia. Es un demonio con criaturilla y rostros en el cuerpo.Gárgolas y la representación del demonio: Parte I