My grandpa's barn had one and we've often wondered what happened to it. It might even still be there. Dad said that there were travelling salesmen who came around to the farms selling weather vanes and lightning rods to the farmers, important devices that had a job to do back when. How else could the farmer say with certainty what direction the wind was blowing?
These weathercocks are part of a display of Americana at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
Not all weather vanes are roosters. Above is a horse and below is an old weather deer. And I've even seen weather angels blowing trumpets.
There is a story that a 9th century pope declared that churches in Europe would display a weather vane in the form of a rooster to remind the faithful of the denial of Jesus by the apostle Peter the morning after the Last Supper.
Thanks for reading my blog. I love to read your comments.
Marvelous collection of weather vanes and a really interesting post!! Thanks for sharing with us and welcome to the fun world of blogging!! Enjoy! Look forward to seeing more of your posts in the future!! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteInteresting thoughts about the origins of the weather vane. In my neck of the West Coast woods weather vanes are often depicted as whales!
ReplyDeleteLiked the story at the end about Peter. The first photo reminds me of the blue cockeral that is on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square. Not sure whether you saw it on your visit.
ReplyDeleteBud and I love our roosters as well as my son. We have them all over the place. Liked your post.
ReplyDeleteLovely post and divine collections of weather vane photos ~ thanks, carol
ReplyDeletehttp://www.acreativeharbor.com
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ReplyDeleteI love rooster weather vanes but since I married a fisherman guess whats on ours.. yup a fish :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. We have a weather vane, its a moose!! Go figure for northern Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteI like that stag one I see in the background - that would look good here in the mountains. There is a pig one in downtown Breckenridge, not quite sure why!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating display. I remember weather vanes from when I was growing up.
ReplyDeleteVery cool exhibit!
ReplyDeleteI would have been very tempted to buy that second bird if it was for sale!
ReplyDeleteStewart M - Melbourne
Good collection of weather vane photos!!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing..
It is nice to see them alle together, mostly you see one high up in the sky.
ReplyDeleteWOW! How very interesting about 9th century pope. loved this post! Now I wish I had a weather vain.
ReplyDeleteInteresting informative post!! texture of weather vanes looking beautiful..
ReplyDeleteRegards
My New post
One Tree Hill point
Don'tcha love 'em?!
ReplyDeleteCheers from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!