Music pulsed below as crowds cheered for street performers and the red, white, and blue French flag colors were displayed against the facade of a building, reminding me of those who’s lives were lost when hatred was given a place. Seeing Paris by night as the Tour Eiffel strobe lights lit up the sky felt surreal with gargoyles perched on either side of me atop the Notre Dame cathedral. No two were alike. There were gargoyles that took on many animal forms, including an elephant, pelican, monkey, wolf, hyena, eagle, and others too eerie to describe. Where did gargoyles come from and what was their purpose I wondered as I photographed them one by one. I’ll ask Google later…
Wiki gave me my answer: “Paris was the birthplace of Gothic style architecture; gargoyles came into gothic architecture in the early 13th century (Notre Dame was completed in 1260) and are defined as “a waterspout, projecting from an upper part of a building or a roof gutter to throw water clear of walls or foundations.” The origins of the word ‘gargoyle’ are derived from the old French word ‘gargouille’ meaning throat.”
That explains why they each had holes in their mouths, which I first noticed while photographing Sacre Coeur’s gargoyles from directly below each one. Sadly, my camera did not save the many gargoyle photos I took. I am hoping to see photographs of them taken by others in our group.
