Devil on the Roof

Gargoyles were initially added onto the roofs of medieval churches to funnel rainwater away from the buildings because if allowed to trickle down between the stones, the water would erode the mortar in between. They also served a religious purpose by giving a face to evil in a world in which literacy was generally reserved to the clergy.

Interestingly, not all medieval Christian clergymen viewed them favorably. St. Bernard du Clairvaux referred to them as "unclean monkeys,...strange savage lions, and monsters[.] To what purpose are here placed these creatures, half beast, half man, or these spotted tigers?...Surely if we do not blush for such absurdities, we should at least regret what we have spent on them."

Regardless of their functional purpose or popularity with the Church, this publication holds them in high esteem and will publish a few of the more expressive ones found hanging around at European cathedrals:

"Oh, that's terrible but there really isn't much I can do to help."

"What? You mean I've got to stay like this forever?!"

"These mere mortals will be put in their place when the Master comes."

"Don't mind me. I'm just looking around."

"Hmm. I wonder what I'll do to-day..."