Gargoyle Props & Decorations

Gargoyles were originally used as an architectural detail given to various buildings in ancient days in order to divert rainwater away from the foundation and masonry. This water eventually erodes the mortar and causes damage to the structure so their purpose was not initially to frighten as much as it was to serve a practical purpose.

In the early days of the great churches, very few people were actually literate and the use of imagery was commonplace to convey ideas to the people. Gargoyles were often designed (in addition to their purpose in diverting water) as a symbol that represented evil itself or sometimes the Gargoyles were thought to scare evil spirits away. When churches or cathedrals were designed, the use of Gargoyles was thought to remind people that the “end of days” was near and to scare people enough that they would want come to church. One of the most infamous cathedrals featuring Gargoyles is the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France.

Today, Gargoyles are largely representative of historic architectural details from long ago. The frightful images used in these ancient structures, however, are perfect for Halloween decorating, recreating haunting as well as disarming imagery. Any haunted house or home won’t be complete without a couple of Gargoyles to stand guard at the entrance with their snarling, grisly faces and macabre medieval ambience.