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: 

​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.

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.
 

​Do you admire the architectural elegance of a cupola, but you’re unsure how to find one that fits the style and design of your home? At Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes, designing custom cupolas is our passion.  We offer a vast selection of design options, and work with our customers every step of the way to guarantee 100% customer satisfaction. From our Royal Crowne custom cupolas to incorporating elements from our Estate Select series or Signature series, we can help you craft the perfect cupola for your home. Below, we show you just some of the options you can incorporate into your custom cupola:

​This beautiful cupola has dazzling copper for the base and cap, with lovely red cedar in the middle. Both of these materials can be expected to last a lifetime. The roof and base sport a standing seam. The subtle combination of windows and louvers allows both light and ventilation into your home/garage/shed/etc.

​This cupola is perfect to add stately elegance to a tall building. Reminiscent of a church steeple, its tall windows let in ample light, while the beautiful wood adds a rustic feel.

​Copper will develop a gorgeous patina over time, or you can choose a cupola that has already been given a patina. A patina develops as the copper undergoes chemical reactions to the elements around it, developing a lovely green outer layer.  

​The Ellsworth offers another combination of windows and louvers. With alternating sides dedicated to one or the other, it gives you more control over how much light you wish to let in. If you want direct light through the windows, you can arrange them facing east and west. If you prefer indirect light, simply arrange the windows facing south and north.

Another fabulous way to customize your cupola is to add one of our gorgeous lanterns. With 12 different styles to choose from, you are certain to find the one that is perfect for you.

We also offer several options for custom trim and molding, from the keystone featured above to dentil and fluted molding. We can also make custom drip rails, either from our durable Azek vinyl or brilliant copper.

​We can build the perfect cupola to crown your home or garage, but if you’re still not sure what you want we have the perfect way to test-drive your design. See how beautiful your home would look with a custom cupola by requesting a FREE digital quote. Simply e-mail a picture of your home, garage, or outbuilding to [email protected]. We are certain that when you see how a cupola would revolutionize your roof, you will want to purchase one!
 
Call us today at 866-400-1776 to find out more.

“My experience with Valley Forge Cupolas could not have been better. They may not be the least expensive in the market however the trademark customer service and outstanding quality of the product they provide made them the best value. Communication with them was excellent and our Cupola stands tall on our new home providing an excellent architectural element and finishing touch.” - Rick M.
 
Since 2001 we have been helping customers add beauty to their homes by creating their ideal cupolas. We work with you through every step of the design process to ensure 100% satisfaction with the final product. If you have architectural plans, drawings, or photos of a cupola you would like, we can create a custom cupola for you based on them. We are able to recreate any standard, historical, or custom cupola, or we can also create a design specifically for you.
 
Not sure what you want? Not a problem! We are the Cupola Specialists, and we love sharing our creativity, experience, and expertise with our clients. After a consultation, in which we’ll discuss your ideas and tastes, and introduce you to our variety of designs and styles, we’ll design a cupola that is the perfect compliment to your home.

Here are just a few examples  of the beautiful, custom-order cupolas we have created for previous customers: