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TATTOO DESIGNS & SYMBOLS - GARGOYLE TATTOOS
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Tattoo designs - G >>
Gargoyles
 Gargoyle Tattoo Designs -
Gargoyles are increasingly popular as tattoo designs and have
been around for thousands of years as the water spouts with the
not-so-cuddly faces. You have probably seen them as architectural
decoration, usually at the roof line channelling water from the
gutters. It became generally believed that these elaborately
grotesque characters could keep away evil spirits and protect the
buildings and their occupants from harm. The figures are meant to
act as amulets and talismans of protection.
Medieval believers claimed that as the rainwater gushed out of the
open-mouthed creature, it turned into holy water. These demonic
humanoids usually display their talons, tails and horns, and often
come with wings and fins. The word 'gargoyle' has its roots in
French and Latin for 'throat' and 'swallow'. Think 'gargle', and
you'll know what Gargoyles are all about.
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In ancient Egypt gargoyles were used for spouting out the water used
for washing ceremonial vessels on the temple roofs. In Greek
temples, the marble water spouts often took the shape of lion heads.
The gargoyles that we have come to know and love adorned the
medieval cathedrals of Europe. Nobody can say for sure what these
fantastic carvings depicted, since no definitive historical records
exist to enlighten us. They probably served, however, to incite the
imagination into fits of storytelling, since this was a pre-literate
age. |
Not all gargoyles spout water. Some of these stone carvings are
purely ornamental, and are more properly referred to as 'chimera'.
Chimera are mythical creatures dating back to a number of cultures,
including Ancient Greece, Egypt, Persia and China and are creatures
combining the features of two or more different animals.
 One of the most famous of the chimera is the Griffon, Griffin, or
Gryphon (spelling depending upon culture of origin), the legendary
figure with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.
Sometimes the griffin is depicted with an eagle's talons, or a
lion's claws, and occasionally the griffon has elongated ears. Such
creatures were often featured in heraldic crests, as the lion and
the eagle were both considered to symbolize nobility.
 You can find some impressive modern gargoyles and chimera in New
York and Chicago, while on the National Cathedral in Washington,
DC., limestone demons are encrusted in the walls. But if you want to
see the most spectacular medieval examples of gargoyles watching
over the city, go to Paris. Want to adopt your own pet gargoyle? The
homeless ones usually gather down at your local Goth and New Age
retail store.
The human skull, although not officially a 'demon', performs roughly
the same protective function when tattooed on the body. It's a
death-defying symbol, believed to cheat death and act as an amulet
and talisman of protection.
Get
inspired by some great images and photos in our
Gargoyle
Inspiration Gallery
See also, Demon Tattoos and
Skull Tattoos
Choose your own gargoyle tattoo design from Tattoo-Art.com.
Find and buy the gargoyle tattoo design that is perfect for yourself.
Lots of
great Gargoyle and Griffon Tattoo design ideas are available at Tattoo Johnny
Tattoo designs - G >>
Gargoyles
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