THE COCK AS A SAGRED SYMBOL
Tho present rarity of the cock on churches may be due to a gradual change from weather-cocks to other forms of weather-vanes. The still more anciently used banner-shaped vane appears to be the commonest form now in use. It is believed that Pope Gregory, in the sixth century, declared the cock to be the emblem of Christianity, and that a Papal enactment of the, ninth century ordered the figure of the cock lo be placed on every church steeple as the emblem of St. Peter. Weathercocks were in use in this country in Anglo-Saxon times, for in the tenth-century write, Wulstan, refers to two cocks on the turrets of Swithih's -Church, at Winchester. Pictures of this* church and of a still earlier one, again depicting a cock, are in existence. One of these very early weathercocks was found at Brixen in". 1652. These, .ancient cocks were at time of great, size. That on the old spire at Rouen Cathedral measured 3ft. Bin. in length, and weighed 281 b.
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 August 1928, Page 2
Word Count
174THE COCK AS A SAGRED SYMBOL Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 August 1928, Page 2
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