In this lavishly illustrated study, renowned medievalist Ruth Mellinkoff establishes conclusively that the primary function of such images was apotropaic, or protective, and not intended merely as decoration or moralizing. Through her study of pagan precedents and close analysis of a wide variety of medieval examples in various media, Mellinkoff convincingly argues that these unusual images--often together with protective Christian signs and symbols--were intended to repel, scare, disorient, and divert an audience of demons.