The Bes Gargoyle

 

Though it reached its high point on the Gothic cathedral spires of the Middle Ages, the gargoyle has its origins in ancient Egypt, in the figure of Bes.  Originally, Bes was an Egyptian household deity, presiding over joy and music, mothers, children and animals. His appearance is odd certainly, very squat with a face as broad as his chest, enormous jug ears, eyes to match and least anyone should think he is a soft touch, a muscular body. And then, witness the mane that lends him a gnomish appearance and the tail that reminds us he is not quite human. With looks like that, it was no wonder he could occupy any place on the spectrum of qualities, from cuddly troll doll to outright terror monger. By the year 1000, designers needed guardians for the sacred realms they were building and who best to employ but this cute and squat mannikin, with his mane and tail and ferocious appearance? Didn't we all know that demons flew through the air and the higher up the side of the cathedral the gargoyle was placed, the safer were our souls? Virtue and vice could reside simultaneously in this figure and by the Middle Ages, vice had won. Bes was suddenly sprouting wings in place of a tail, those rounded ears had become pointy and a sharp beak replaced the voluptions mouth. And that humanoid body was suddenly a four-footed, wolf-type animal. Bes, thinly disguised as water spout, had transformed into the gargoyle of Gothic renown. And it is a tribute to this curiosity from the days of the pharoahs that he is still with us, amusing, enchanting and scaring by turns. No wonder Bes/the gargoyle evolved into a television series and at least one movie. Whatever happens, no matter how the world keeps turning, we will always find a role for a Bes.