Shop for rooster weathervanes! This design has remained one of the most popular for over a millennium.
Throughout the long history of weathervanes, one shape has remained a perennial favorite: the rooster. For over a millennium, rooster weathervanes have dominated the skyline, most often gracing the domes and steeples of churches. This tradition has its roots in a 9th-century papal decree by Pope Nicholas I. The decree stated that every church should display a rooster (or cockerel) on its peak to remind Christians of their faith. (This refers to Jesus’ prophecy at the Last Supper, recorded in Luke 22:34, that Peter would betray Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. St. Peter is considered the founder of the Catholic Church.)
The roosters were not originally meant to be weathervanes. However, most church steeples carried weathervanes because they were the tallest point in town, making them the most suitable location for a communal weathervane. The two were eventually combined out of practicality, leading to the familiar rooster weathervane as early as the 11th century.
There is a reference to rooster weathervanes in the Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered cloth depicting the Norman conquest of Britain in the 11th century. It was made after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and depicts many events in the life of William the Conqueror. Among the details documenting the aftermath of the battle is a depiction of a craftsman installing a rooster (or “weathercock”) atop Westminster Abbey.
Possibly because of this association with roosters and churches, or with roosters and sunrise, legends arose that the crowing of the rooster would banish evil. This legend is immortalized in these lines from Shakespeare’s Hamlet:
I have heard
The [rooster], that is the trumpet to the morn,
Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat
Awake the god of day, and, at his warning,
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,
Th' extravagant and erring spirit hies
To his confine[.]
Thus, a rooster weathervane could even be seen as lucky, or a protection against evil.
At Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes, we are proud to carry on this beautiful tradition with 9 different rooster weathervanes to choose from. We have traditional roosters:
The roosters were not originally meant to be weathervanes. However, most church steeples carried weathervanes because they were the tallest point in town, making them the most suitable location for a communal weathervane. The two were eventually combined out of practicality, leading to the familiar rooster weathervane as early as the 11th century.
There is a reference to rooster weathervanes in the Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered cloth depicting the Norman conquest of Britain in the 11th century. It was made after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and depicts many events in the life of William the Conqueror. Among the details documenting the aftermath of the battle is a depiction of a craftsman installing a rooster (or “weathercock”) atop Westminster Abbey.
Possibly because of this association with roosters and churches, or with roosters and sunrise, legends arose that the crowing of the rooster would banish evil. This legend is immortalized in these lines from Shakespeare’s Hamlet:
I have heard
The [rooster], that is the trumpet to the morn,
Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat
Awake the god of day, and, at his warning,
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,
Th' extravagant and erring spirit hies
To his confine[.]
Thus, a rooster weathervane could even be seen as lucky, or a protection against evil.
At Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes, we are proud to carry on this beautiful tradition with 9 different rooster weathervanes to choose from. We have traditional roosters:
Whimsical, humorous roosters:
Even an extra large rooster, perfect for placing atop larger cupolas or roofs:
We also have two smaller roosters, perfect for gardens, sheds, gazebos and decks. We carry wall mounts and display stands to offer even more display options for your weathervane.
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Add Beauty to Your Roofline with a Weathervane from Valley Forge Cupola
Whether you consider rooster weathervanes the “cock of the walk,” prefer something more whimsical, or you want a nautical theme, we have the perfect weathervane for you. For 15 years we’ve been helping customers find the weathervane that best complements their home. And now is the perfect time to buy, as we are offering 72% off our entire stock of weathervanes!
Call us today at 1-866-400-1776 and revolutionize your roof with a stunning weathervane.
Call us today at 1-866-400-1776 and revolutionize your roof with a stunning weathervane.
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