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This post continues with the portrayal of the devil <\/a>in gargoyles<\/a>, one of their predominant themes. In this third part, we explore figures with serpents\u2014an animal closely linked to demonic iconography\u2014and we also examine other striking demons commonly found in the medieval imagination: gastroc\u00e9phalic demons.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In Christian iconography, the snake is linked with the idea of evil and the devil. \u201cEvery creature that moves along the ground is to be regarded as unclean\u201d (Lev. 11, 41-42). In the book of Genesis it’s a symbol of carnal desire and the devil.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n\t\tThe Serpent and Its Demonic Association in Gargoyles<\/h2>\n
The Serpent as a Phallic Symbol in Demonic Representations<\/h3>\n