{"id":5628,"date":"2019-09-05T10:54:40","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T08:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/?p=5628"},"modified":"2026-06-02T11:53:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T09:53:31","slug":"the-gargoyles-on-luxembourg-cathedral-and-their-unusual-iconography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/the-gargoyles-on-luxembourg-cathedral-and-their-unusual-iconography\/","title":{"rendered":"Gargoyles of Luxembourg Cathedral"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this entry, we return to Luxembourg to admire the <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/the-gargoyles\/\">gargoyles <\/a>of the church regarded as the most important in the country: Notre-Dame Cathedral.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Adjacent to the <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/gargoyles-on-the-luxembourg-national-library-luxembourg-gargoyles\/\">National Library<\/a>, the church was built by the Jesuits between 1613 and 1621, and its architecture combines several styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic. In 1870, it was raised to the rank of cathedral by Pius IX and, between 1935 and 1938, it was enlarged.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Among its architectural features, the slender spires particularly stand out. It is precisely beneath the octagonal balustrade of one of its three tall, slender pinnacles that the eight remarkable metal gargoyles are located, displaying a striking iconography, as presented below.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-5628 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargolas-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-1.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargolas-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyles on Luxembourg Cathedral.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargolas-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-1.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargolas-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargolas-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-2.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"861\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargolas-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyles on Luxembourg Cathedral.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargolas-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-2.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargolas-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-2-480x486.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gargoyles of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg<\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In previous entries, we discussed the representation of <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/unusual-animals-in-gargoyle-imagery-i\/\">unusual animals<\/a> in gargoyles, animals that are rarely depicted and whose symbolism is particularly interesting. This cathedral stands out in this respect, since, in only eight gargoyles, we find exceptional animals represented.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h3>Gargoyle in the Form of a Seahorse<\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first gargoyle represents a <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/unusual-animals-in-gargoyle-imagery-ii\/\">seahorse<\/a>, an animal already discussed in a previous entry. Nevertheless, it is worth recalling that Kappler, in his research, notes that in the Greco-Roman world this animal was regarded as a tutelary genius and guide of the dead. It is an animal linked to water, like the sirens which, according to Brunetto Latini, a 13th-century philosopher, are \u201cprostitutes\u201d, malevolent beings \u201cwho dwell in water because lust is born of moisture\u201d.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12735 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-5-4.jpg\" alt=\"gargolas\" width=\"570\" height=\"428\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-5-4.jpg 570w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5-5-4-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 570px, 100vw\" \/> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h3>Gargoyle in the Form of a Parrot<\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The next figure represents a bird of the parrot family. In one of the entries devoted to unusual animals, we also discussed the <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/unusual-animals-in-gargoyle-imagery-i\/\">parrot or popinjay<\/a>. As noted there, both are under the dominion of Mercury, planet of messengers, intellectuals, and writers. In Covarrubias\u2019s <em>Emblemas morales<\/em> (1610), the popinjay symbolises the chatterer.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the parrot, Aristotle (4th century BC) states: \u201cOf the Indian bird, the parrot, it is said that it has a tongue like men. And when it has drunk wine, it becomes, if possible, even more shameless\u201d. Other authors also refer to this animal, such as Saint Isidore (6th\u20137th centuries), Pliny the Elder (1st century), and Aelian (2nd\u20133rd centuries). The <em>Tuscan Bestiary<\/em> (13th century) regards it as a symbol of Christ, since it is a unique animal and the cleanest bird to be found, just as Jesus Christ is unique and conceived without original sin.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12719 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"gargolas\" width=\"570\" height=\"403\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-2-1.jpg 570w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-2-1-480x339.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 570px, 100vw\" \/> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h3>Gargoyles in the Form of Insects<\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Two atypical and striking gargoyles should also be highlighted. They are two insects, one of them with a long antenna on its head. The other is a locust or grasshopper.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">History tells us that the locust has traditionally been an image of devastation and death. In the Bible, it appears among the accursed plagues. In Christian symbolism, it is an emblem of destructive demons and is also identified with heretics. In the Old Testament, it is used as a symbol of smallness. Before God, man is as small as a locust: \u201cHe sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers\u201d (Isa. 40:22).<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the <em>Book of Revelation<\/em>, the attack of the locusts upon those who do not bear the seal of God is described: they have the power to torment them for five months, but not to kill them (Rev. 9:4). These small creatures could therefore represent the spiritual torments caused by demons. During the Middle Ages, this insect was considered one of the manifestations of evil and was therefore expelled through conjurations.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-5628 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-5.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-5.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle on Luxembourg Cathedral. A real animal: an insect.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-5.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-5-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-1.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Gargoyle on Luxembourg Cathedral. A real animal: a grasshopper.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-1.jpg 850w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-1-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 850px, 100vw\" title=\"\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h3>Gargoyle in the Form of a Chameleon<\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another animal represented is a chameleon. This curious reptile is said to be under the influence of Mercury. Alciato (16th century), in his <em>Emblem<\/em> 53, turns it into a symbol of the flatterer because of its ability to change colour according to circumstances.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Pliny states that it is the only animal that feeds on air, neither eating nor drinking. This strange belief also appears in certain bestiaries, such as the <em>Catalan Bestiaries<\/em> and the <em>Tuscan Bestiary<\/em>. For this reason, artists chose it as a personified representation of the element air. Since it does not walk on legs like perfect terrestrial animals, <em>Leviticus<\/em> considers it an impure animal (Lev. 11:30).<\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12727 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-6.jpg\" alt=\"gargolas\" width=\"500\" height=\"421\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-6.jpg 500w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-6-480x404.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 500px, 100vw\" \/> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h3>Gargoyle in the Form of a Fish<\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The last unusual animal in the group is a fish with fins resembling wings. Although these wings link it to the flying fish, already mentioned by Aelian, its appearance is closer to that of an abyssal or demon fish, also known as the black devil, with a monstrous aspect.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12721 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-3.jpg\" alt=\"gargolas\" width=\"570\" height=\"428\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-3.jpg 570w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-3-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 570px, 100vw\" \/> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h3>Gargoyle in the Form of a Dog<\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The penultimate gargoyle represents a <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/dogs-and-their-portrayal-in-gargoyles\/\">dog<\/a>, an animal frequently represented in gargoyles. Although in its positive aspect it is an image of protection and fidelity, in this case it appears aggressive, with large fangs, protruding tongue, and visible genitalia, an image more in keeping with the negative symbolism of the dog (demon, lust, etc.).<\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12723 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-4.jpg\" alt=\"gargolas\" width=\"570\" height=\"428\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-4.jpg 570w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-4-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 570px, 100vw\" \/> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h3>Demonic Gargoyle<\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finally, we find a peculiar <a href=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/the-devil-and-his-portrayal-in-gargoyles-i\/\">demon<\/a> of terrifying appearance, with a pointed triple chin, frontal horn, large ears, ghostly hollow eye sockets, and a tail emerging behind the body.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12729 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-7.jpg\" alt=\"gargolas\" width=\"570\" height=\"428\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-7.jpg 570w, https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gargola-de-la-Catedral-de-Luxemburgo-7-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 570px, 100vw\" \/> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A demon and an extraordinary bestiary form this singular ensemble of gargoyles. The quality of the carving and the originality of their iconography make these figures a magnificent example of creativity and symbolic richness within the art of gargoyles.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bibliography\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">CHARBONNEAU-LASSAY, L., <em>El bestiario de Cristo. El simbolismo animal en la Antig\u00fcedad y la Edad Media<\/em>, vols. I y II, Palma de Mallorca, Jos\u00e9 J. de Ola\u00f1eta, Editor, 1997.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">KAPPLER, C., <em>Monstruos, demonios y maravillas a fines de la Edad Media<\/em>, Madrid, Ediciones Akal, S. A., 1986.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">MARI\u00d1O FERRO, X. R., <em>El simbolismo animal. Creencias y significados en la cultura occidental<\/em>, Madrid, Ediciones Encuentro, 1996. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><em>This entry was originally published in September 2019 and updated in June 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12715,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[477,482],"tags":[857,3147,3148,903,72,3142,439,3143,3146,3145,3144],"class_list":["post-5628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-animal-gargoyles","category-gargoyles-of-angels-and-demons","tag-architectural-sculpture","tag-chameleon-gargoyle","tag-gargoyle-bestiary","tag-gargoyle-symbolism","tag-gargoyles-en","tag-gargoyles-of-luxembourg","tag-luxembourg-cathedral","tag-notre-dame-cathedral-of-luxembourg","tag-parrot-gargoyle","tag-seahorse-gargoyle","tag-unusual-animals-in-gargoyles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5628"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5628\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21507,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5628\/revisions\/21507"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doloresherrero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}