Immortal Guardians

by Connie Handscomb

Title

Immortal Guardians

Artist

Connie Handscomb

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Fine Art

Description

If thou be'st born to strange sights,
Things invisible to see,
Ride ten thousand days and night,
Till age snow white hairs on thee,
Thou, when thou return'st, wilt tell me,
All strange wonders that befell tee ...
~John Donne [fr.Song]

When we think of gargoyles, we usually think of medieval water spouts; however, gargoyles were used as far back as ancient Egypt. Ancient Greeks used fierce animals on their temples.

It all began when St. Romanus fought a monster and saved his country. The monster was called Gargouille. It was so ugly it frightened evil spirits away. Thus, began the protection of all important buildings with the ugly gargoyle. Even modern day buildings use the gargoyle: the Chrysler Building in New York City, the Washington National Cathedral, Princeton University and more.

While it began with a more functional purpose - such as a water spout - over the course of history it became more ornamental. Meggenhorn Castle (Schloss Meggenhorn) on the northern shore of Lake Lucerne (next to Luzern) Switzerland is a prized Swiss heritage site. It is a protected cultural property letting us peek into the elegant lifestyle of its owners. The Castle was (is) clearly very important ... it is abundant with gargoyles!

And, of course, must not forget the mountains .. how we love to nestle our homes next to their solid base, comforted by their imposing, protective presence over us. Mountains represent an expansiveness, a higher viewpoint, a connection with the celestial and the eternal.

*------------------------------*

♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :

Gothic Romance
Exploration Photography

Uploaded

April 3rd, 2015

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