Washington National Cathedral's 'Darth Vader' grotesque

The Washington National Cathedral on Mount St. Alban includes a modern exterior grotesque popularly nicknamed the 'Darth Vader' grotesque because it resembles the Star Wars character. The figure is one of several contemporary carvings added during 20th-century construction and maintenance campaigns and is frequently noted in guides and media as an example of the cathedral's blend of traditional and modern imagery. The grotesque is an intentional architectural feature, and the popular nickname reflects public recognition rather than official liturgical symbolism.