These small creatures first made an apprearance in European Gothic art. They symbolized negative cosmic forces. These small beings almost covered the roofs of the Gothic cathedrals when they were built. The builders probably fell into the belief system which ancient peoples had followed. The belief was that sacred or holy places could be protected by surrounding them with ugly, threatening, guardians who could chase away any truly evil or threatening forces. So, small statues were placed in lots of places for this protection.
Later when Christianity gained a strong foothold, these small beings were relegated to the position of demons.
Since the creation of Disney's movie, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of these small beings. Many European and American buildings have them on their roofs quietly guarding the people within. Down on the street below, the people are unaware of their presence.
