The Gallic rooster is a colorful symbol of France. Rooster
The ancient Slavs treated the image of the rooster very respectfully and associated it with the Sun itself. We can safely say that the Slavs ancient Rus', as well as other peoples and tribes, the rooster was a sacred bird.
The rooster was revered as fire symbol and sun symbol. The rooster was revered as a symbol of fire, as it was associated with the hot Sun. First of all, he was still associated with the daylight and, naturally, with God, who was the personification or patron of the Sun - or. Why was the rooster given such honor?
First of all, and there is no doubt about this, for the reason that roosters announce the surroundings with the first rays of light. Those people who live in the countryside or have repeatedly visited villages and towns where they keep chickens and roosters on their farms probably know about this unusual feature birds. As soon as the night passes and the time approaches closer to morning, at dawn the roosters begin to make very loud “crow” calls. At the same time, roosters always try to climb as high as possible so that they can not only be heard, but also seen as far as possible. If we explain this from a zoological point of view, then with screams and defiant behavior roosters declare their territory, show other roosters that they always stand guard over their possessions, their hens and their offspring. Such a feature as protecting their possessions is present in many animals, for example, bears leave deep notches in trees with the help of their claws, cats mark territories with a special fragrant secretion, and with the help of vocals not only roosters and many other species of birds declare their territory, but and some animals, such as gibbons.
This feature of roosters, how to crow at dawn, warning the entire area that daylight is approaching, made them popular in the mythology and beliefs of the Slavs. Many folk tales, the origins of which are observed in ancient myths Slavs, they say that evil spirits or evil forces disappear with the crow of a rooster. As soon as the evil forces, which, judging by fairy tales, crawl out at night to do various dirty tricks, hear a rooster crow, they immediately rush away, since it is this cry, like a natural alarm clock, that foreshadows the sunrise. For this reason, the Slavs compared roosters to the assistants of the Sun itself and the solar gods. Since roosters herald the sunrise, in ancient times they were called prophetic birds. It is impossible to deny the possibility that it was roosters that became the prototypes of the mythical bird of things that appeared later.
In addition to all of the above, it is also worth mentioning the comb on the rooster’s head. The crest on a rooster's head is a bright red, wavy protrusion that closely resembles the flame of a fire. Probably, this shape of the crest on the bird, which heralds the sunrise, also contributed greatly to the fact that the rooster was given a special role in mythology also as the patron of fire. It's worth remembering at least famous saying“let the red rooster” (fire, set fire).
The rooster was not only a symbol of the Sun, but even amulet. Images of a rooster were placed on the roofs of houses and weather vanes. Such images, according to Slavic beliefs, were supposed to protect the house from fire, since the rooster is its patron, from evil spirits, since the rooster is a symbol of the most important enemy of evil spirits - the Sun, and could also protect the house throughout the night, since evil forces Those who are afraid of the crow of a rooster will never approach a house on the roof of which, like a guard, there is always a rooster. It is worth noting here that for the same reason, not only roosters were installed on the roofs, but also images of horses - skates (also), since the horses of the ancient Slavs had the same solar symbolism (the Sun, according to legend, moved across the sky in a horse harness ). When building a house, the Slavs sacrificed and placed a black rooster under the house under construction. When moving to new home The first to be launched were the rooster and the cat. All these rituals were aimed at protecting the house from fire and scaring away evil forces.
In addition, the rooster was also revered as symbol of fertility. Due to the fact that the rooster is always in charge of a whole chicken coop, which constantly brings eggs to the owners or new chicks, the rooster is considered a real inseminator, which simply has no equal. A symbol of fertility, life, fire and the Sun, the rooster participated in many rituals of the pagans of ancient Rus'. Roosters often became a ritual dish for harvest holidays. The rooster was also sacrificed and served on the table in the form of a variety of dishes on holidays commemorating ancestors. The tradition of preparing chicken soup for funerals is still preserved. There is also information about such a ritual among the Slavs, when the deceased was taken out to the chicken coop for three days, so that for three days the rooster would crow over the deceased, drive out everything bad from him, keep evil spirits away from his body and soul, and, in the end, send him away. to another world.
Video. In the village: The rooster crows and... moos
Do you like to have a fun and exciting time? In this case, you should find out everything about billiards on the website www.rusbillyard.ru. Basics and rules of the game, varieties and secrets.
Key property: sexuality, vigilance and rebirth.
Activity period: dawn.
A very ancient symbolic tradition is associated with the rooster. Since one rooster can impregnate and satisfy an entire brood of hens, it is, first of all, a symbol of sexuality.
The rooster is extremely vigilant towards the chickens in his yard. He constantly patrols his domain, and many believe that this is a reminder that those who take the path spiritual development, you can't relax. This was reflected in Holy Scripture, when the rooster crowed after Peter denied Jesus three times. The idea of spiritual vigilance was proposed in the 6th century, when the idea arose that the rooster would crow to announce the onset of the Day of Judgment.
Among the Gnostics, the rooster was the main embodiment of the god Abraxas. This is a god with the head of a rooster and with snakes instead of legs, combining light and darkness. The rooster has always been a totem endowed great strength and wisdom. It is connected with the ancient past and provides guidelines indicating the position of our own strength in the future.
The Rooster as a totem may even suggest that in one of your past lives you were associated with early Christianity or lived in ancient Greece. IN Greek mythology The rooster is associated with the love story between Ares and Aphrodite. According to legend, Ares assigned Alektraon (rooster) to guard Aphrodite. In addition, the rooster was a symbol of Kadmill in the Samothrace Mysteries.
In traditional Chinese astrology, the rooster represents enthusiasm and humor. Roosters are considered very quirky and colorful, but they have an open and straightforward approach to life. If your totem is the rooster, then it will teach you how to become more straightforward. The Rooster can activate a new sense of optimism and help you come to terms with your own quirks and quirks.
GENERAL VALUES
Rooster ( lat. gallus, gallus; French. chante-clair - lit. "singing dawn")
The basis of the mythological image of this bird in most (excluding Northern, Celtic and Scandinavian) traditions is its connection with the sun, like which the rooster “counts down” time, announcing the beginning of the day and driving away night demons. The motif of a rooster, scattering evil spirits with its cry and scaring away the dead, forms the climax in a special type of fairy tales and is constant in fairy tales. But in general, the functions of the gods to whom the rooster is dedicated (Apollo, Mithras, Ahuramazda, Amaterasu, Hermes, Asclepius, Ares, etc.) are significantly broader. Being associated with the deities of dawn and the sun, the rooster often acts as a herald (messenger) of the sun (light) and its guide in the daily and annual cycles. Already in the Romanesque period, the image of a rooster was installed on church spiers as a symbol of the animal announcing the arrival of daylight and calling for morning prayer.
But the rooster is not only associated with the sun, similar to it: it is itself an earthly image, a zoomorphic transformation of heavenly fire. Some data allow us to correlate the sacrifice of a rooster (in those ritual traditions where there is no prohibition on this, it is the rooster that is primarily used for this purpose) with its solar, fiery nature. In many cases, there is a clearly visible connection between the sacrifice of a rooster and the making of fire, its ignition.
On the other hand, it is perceived (especially the black rooster) as a witchcraft and sacrificial animal for the forces of the underworld. Positive symbolism, however, takes over, and the hen, which with its clucking even drives away the lion and basilisk, was represented on amulet gems, shields and graves. The cock's comb protects against delirium, consumption of a rooster's testicles eroticizes a woman and she will give birth to a boy; The rooster also drives away embarrassment in the darkness of the night and makes childbirth easier when close.
Like the sun, the rooster is vigilant and all-seeing; The image of a guardian rooster was placed on the roofs of houses, poles, spiers, weather vanes, as well as on caskets, chests, and reliquaries.
The qualities of a watchman made the rooster an attribute of deities (Athena, Demeter); his readiness to fight puts him next to the god of war Ares (Mars) and the conqueror of diseases Asclepius (an image of healing death-rebirth); as the herald of the sun he belongs to Apollo. In North Germanic mythology, the rooster guards with his “golden crest” the rainbow bridge leading to the home of the gods. IN East Asia his symbolic meaning similarly. The rooster, the tenth sign of the Chinese astrological animal circle, is inedible. The red rooster protects from fire, the white rooster drives away demons. The rooster is considered not only brave, but also kind-hearted, since he calls the hens to feed, to the grains and is a reliable “alarm clock” (in Japan, the rooster crow calls the Sun Goddess from the darkness). The Indian saga says that the “rooster king” sits on a tree in the legendary country of Yambudvipa and his cry calls on all the roosters of the earth to also give their voices. According to the Chinese symbolism of sounds, a rooster (kun-hi) that crows (ming) is also “kun-ming”, which means merit and glory. Officials are given a rooster with a large comb (kuan, also an official). A rooster with chickens symbolizes fatherly care for children (in in the narrow sense about sons). Cockfighting in South China, despite the official ban, is still a beloved, cruel folk pastime, during which now it is not the aggressiveness of the animal that comes to the fore, but the object gambling, despite its veneration in mysticism, where in some traditions the sun is considered to belong to the fiery rooster.
Like the sun, the rooster is also associated with the underworld. The rooster is also associated with the symbolism of the resurrection from the dead and the eternal rebirth of life. In this context, it is possible to explain the image of a rooster, sometimes placed on graves, on a cross, stone, etc., often alternating with the image of the sun.
Associated with life and death, the rooster symbolizes fertility primarily in its productive aspect. The rooster is one of the key symbols of sexual potency. Indicative in this regard are the “cock” designations of the reproductive organ (for example, the English slang “cock”) in relation to the “chicken” designations of the female genital organ, as well as the idea of the rooster as a symbol of lust, which exists in a number of traditions. The Vatican collection contains a Roman “phallic totem” - a bronze image of a rooster with male torso and the head of a penis instead of a head, on the pedestal there is the inscription “Savior of the World.” One of the manifestations of the vitality of the rooster is its exceptional belligerence, which is reflected in folklore, symbolism and emblems.
Negative symbolic meaning was attached to the rooster in medieval Western countries(also goat) as the embodiment of lust (when young men are haunted by the “cock demon”) and a passion for fighting. At the same time, it became the emblem of Gaul (France) and St. Galla, also St. Veit, associated with a rooster (sitting on a book), adorning luxury watches due to its ability to "wake up".
The correlation between the qualities of a rooster and a person receives a certain reinforcement in the fairly common motif of the werewolf of the rooster.
The contrast of roosters by color is functionally significant:
- a light, red rooster is associated with the sun, fire;
- black - with water, underground kingdom(cf. the ritual burying of a rooster in the ground).
Basic values:
- Sun, solar deities, dawn;
- male principle, activity, awakening;
- glory, superiority;
- courage, bravery, courage;
- caution, vigilance, vigilance, reliability;
- foresight;
- (spiritual) rebirth;
- struggle, war, battle, battle, call to battle;
- pride, arrogance;
- lust;
- fire - red
- God's judgment;
- evil, witchcraft, devil, death - black rooster.
________________________________________________
Africa
Some African peoples they consider him a soothsayer and possessor secret knowledge and therefore they associate him with sorcerers.
Ancient East
Among the Sumerians, the god Nergal is sometimes depicted with the head of a rooster.
Egypt
For the Egyptians it means vigilance and prudence.
Antiquity
For both the Greeks and Romans, it personifies vigilance and fighting spirit (readiness for battle). He is vigilant and all-seeing, like the sun; with his crow he announces the arrival of dawn and scares away the demons of the night. At the same time, the rooster (primarily black) undoubtedly acted as a chthonic bird, a traditional magical and sacrificial animal dedicated to underground forces.
Greece
Serves as an attribute or companion to many gods and goddesses of rebirth, warlike deities, messengers of the gods and gods of healing:
- Zeus;
- Apollo - as the messenger of the Sun;
- Asclepius (Aesculapius) - as an image of healing death-rebirth (chthonic);
- Ares (Mars);
- Mercury;
- Priapus;
- Athens;
- Demeters;
- Persephone-Spring - as a symbol of the renewal of life;
- Attis - as a symbol of spring fertility;
- Lar - the custom of the ancient Romans to donate cockscombs to the Lares.
When sacrificed to Priapus or Asclepius, it should cause healing.
The predominance of positive symbolism of birds that drive out even lions and basilisks with their singing determined the popularity of the rooster as a symbol depicted on gems, amulets, weapons (protective) and, sometimes, on tombstones. The latter are represented by images of a rooster on a cross, a stone, etc., often alternating with the image of the sun.
How the all-seeing (solar) bird is widely used in Ancient Rome for fortune telling and weather prediction.
The symbol of the “third watch” is the period of time between midnight and dawn.
Northern tradition
Among the Celts, the rooster is a chthonic image, attribute underground gods. A common messenger of the afterlife in both Celtic and Northern European traditions. He controls souls, calls the dead to battle, warns the gods of danger.
In North Germanic mythology, the Golden Crest rooster guards the rainbow bridge leading to the abode of the gods.
Among the Scandinavians, the rooster is a bird underworld, and his cry resurrects the heroes of Valhalla for the final decisive battle.
Slavs
Among the Eastern Slavs, the rooster is the “double” of the owner when moving into a new house: it was believed that moving in was possible if the rooster spent the night safely in it.
A common sacrificial animal and a shore from evil spirits associated with the element of fire. In the Old Russian “Word of a certain Christ-lover” (final edition) the pagan rituals that existed after the introduction of Christianity are condemned, when “... the cows laugh; and pray to the fire, those who call him Svarozhich.” In many cases, there is a clearly visible connection between the sacrifice of a rooster and the making of fire, its ignition.
The Russian ritual of sacrificing a black rooster, buried alive in the ground, and the custom of keeping black roosters and other animals (for example, cats) of black color at water mills are also known; this color was considered especially kind to the spirit of water. Kozma of Prague in the “Czech Chronicle” (XI-XII centuries) reports on the custom of going to springs and strangling black roosters and hens while simultaneously invoking the devil; back in the 19th century. The custom of drowning roosters and hens in ponds on St. Faith's Day was maintained.
A popular motif for ritual and wedding towels. Among the Southern Slavs, Hungarians and other peoples, the groom during wedding ceremony often carries a live rooster or its image. In some Christmas fortune telling The rooster usually represents the future groom.
The roof spike was often decorated as a security sign.
Middle East
Arab and Turkic sources invariably endow the ideal military leader with the courage of a rooster.
Caucasus
The Svans believed that the souls of men and women after death, respectively, move into a rooster and a hen.
China
Tenth symbolic animal ( the only bird among them) the Twelve Earthly Branches, related to the yang principle. “Accompany” the sun on its way through the tenth “house” of the Chinese zodiac (Capricorn) and through the fifth - seventh hours of the afternoon. Correlates with dawn and the Pleiades. The crest (crown) on his head signifies a literary gift (a penchant for literature) and its red color corresponds to sunset and autumn. Thanks to its spurs and warlike nature, the rooster serves as a symbol of war and is associated with October, the month when military preparations were made.
According to ancient mythology, the red (fiery) rooster is the original form of the Sun, and the white one probably corresponded to sunlight. Accordingly, images of a red rooster are depicted on the walls of the house as protection from fire, and a white rooster scares away demons, spirits and ghosts. A live rooster or its image is used as a talisman to ward off evil (evil spirits) in a funeral ceremony. (Out of respect) roosters are not eaten by the Chinese, but in some ceremonies the rooster is killed to emphasize the death of the old life and the purity of the new.
The rooster symbolizes the five Chinese virtues:
- dignity in war
- nobility in peacetime,
- courage (courage, bravery),
- reliability (fidelity),
- generosity (from the rooster’s habit of offering the food he finds first to the chickens and only then eating it himself).
In homonymous Chinese symbolism, the rooster is associated with an official career and serves as a sign of “lucky fate”:
- the combination of the words “kun-chi” - rooster, and “ming” - crow, are consonant with the expression “kun-ming” - honor and glory;
- the name of the cockscomb “kuan” also means “official”;
- is also homophonic with the word "luck".
Therefore, it is customary for officials to give a rooster with a huge comb as a gift.
The rooster also symbolizes:
- charms rural life- with chicken in the garden;
- paternal guardianship over children (already sons) - with chickens.
In the southern part of China, despite the official ban, cockfighting is still a favorite public spectacle.
Japan
According to myths, a rooster once called Amaterasu from the cave where she hid her light.
A sacred animal symbolizing Shinto standing on a drum and calling people to pray at the temple. The rooster is believed to prepare the heart of a pious believer for purification and veneration. Therefore, roosters in Shinto shrines are given complete freedom.
Mesoamerica
For some tribes Central America the rooster is the nagual with whom human life is connected; The death of the rooster entails the death of the person under his care.
Australia and Oceania
Australian Aborigines sometimes refer to peyuha as "the bird that laughs at dawn."
Iran
Among the Iranians, the rooster is a good bird, often depicted on sceptres.
In Mithraism it is dedicated to Mithra as the sun god.
Hinduism
In the Vedas, the rooster represents “souls, the righteous, awaiting the dawn.”
The “Cock King”, sitting on a tree on the continent of Jambudvipa, gives a signal with his crowing to the crowing of all other roosters in the world.
Buddhism
For Buddhists, the rooster, along with the pig and the snake, stand at the center of the wheel of samsara, representing sensual desires (carnal passion) and pride, which keep a person in the circle of birth and death.
Judaism
Among the ancient Jews it was a symbol of the third watch of the night - from midnight to dawn.
Gnosticism
For the Gnostics it serves as an image of Phronesis, foresight, clairvoyance, wakefulness as an emanation of the Logos.
A rooster with a spike of wheat in its beak is vigilance that brings abundant fruit.
The rooster on the column was interpreted as the rooster of Abraxas - the demon of annual time and aeons with the head of a rooster and snakes instead of legs.
Christianity
In the New Testament, the image of a rooster has a symbolic meaning of a certain decisive facet. St. Gregory turned the rooster into an allegory of the good shepherd, since he “beats his wings with his wings (repents) before he lifts up his voice.”
In the subsequent Christian tradition, the symbolism of the rooster is predominantly positive:
- Christ as the sun of faith, revealing new day and putting to flight the forces of darkness and evil;
- light (faith, truth, etc.);
- the personification of the true preacher of the Gospel, telling about the coming of the Dawn of Christ;
- readiness to meet the dawn, awakening to life in Christ;
- wakefulness and vigilance towards evil, confrontation with the darkness of spiritual ignorance;
- Christians fighting for Christ - cockfighting;
- rebirth - in the scenes of the Passion;
- Passion of the Lord;
- human weakness and repentance - in the scenes with the Apostle Peter.
Weathervanes in the shape of a (gilded) rooster, “which were almost always placed on the spire high tower, bell tower or town hall":
- welcome the rising of the Sun-Christ;
- indicate where the forces of evil threaten from;
- guard the bell towers during the hours of darkness, when the bells are silent.
Davi notes that “vigilance in this context should be interpreted in the sense of striving for the imperishable and caring for the primacy of the spiritual: to be awakened and greet the Sun - Christ - even before his appearance in the east - which serves as a living image of enlightenment.”
The rooster is endowed with liberality, as he allows his laying hens to share food with him.
The rooster is often depicted in opposition to the lion.
Most often, the “reminder rooster” is depicted in connection with the gospel motif of Peter’s denial, scenes of which were liked to be depicted on early Christian sarcophagi. When Peter openly confesses his devotion to Jesus, Jesus answers him:
“... truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow until you have denied Me three times.”
In an alternative interpretation, the rooster is a messenger of the devil who tempted Peter. IN this story the rooster serves as a symbol of renunciation, subsequent repentance, a warning against arrogance, etc. In addition, the rooster serves as a sign of the preaching, papal activity of Peter.
The role of the rooster as a natural clock and its connection with St. Peter contributed to the latter becoming the patron saint of watchmakers. The figure of a rooster often decorates watches. The clock of Strasbourg Cathedral is surmounted by the figure of a rooster, which crows every time the figure of St. Peter appears among the apostles.
In the Middle Ages in the West, a negative aspect appeared in the symbolism of the rooster, acting as the embodiment of lust and pugnacity, characteristic of young people possessed by “rooster demons.”
- St. Apostle Peter - an allusion to his renunciation and repentance.
- St. Vitus - sitting on a book.
Islam
It is believed that the rooster was the giant bird that Muhammad saw in the First Heaven of Paradise, shouting: “Here is not God, but Allah.”
Alchemy
The symbol of the volatile part of the substance of the stone is living, active, dry water.
In this meaning it is contrasted with the image of the Fox:
“The Salt of the Stars is protected from corruption; and when necessary, he will make them fly up like a bird, and the Rooster will devour the Fox, jump into the water and drown, and then, gaining life with the help of fire, will be torn apart by the Fox.” Vasily Valentin “Twelve Keys”
Magic
It is believed that:
- The cock's comb protects against nightmares,
- eating cock testicles eroticizes and predisposes women to give birth to boys,
- “a rooster, dispersing clots of darkness near a woman in labor,” envelops the exit of the fetus.
Heraldry
"Armoral" animal of Gaul (France) and St. Galla (Gallunus). The rooster became the emblem of France thanks to a play on words Latin language, in which the word “gallus” means both “rooster” and “gall” - ancient name residents of France. It should be noted that the Gauls themselves willingly painted the image of a rooster on their banners and weapons...
Widespread on coats of arms and banners after the French Revolution and widespread interest in antiquity in the end. XVIII century. Napoleon replaces it with the imperial eagle. The unofficial emblem of the July Revolution of 1830, which was joined in the 60s of the same century by Marianne, is an allegory of France. The gradual redistribution of everything positive to Marianne, and everything negative to the poor rooster (adventurism, cockiness, untenable political ambitions, arrogance and conceit) is largely due to the efforts of cartoonists.
De Gaulle introduced it into military medals as a symbol of the fighting spirit of France.
Emblem of the French National Olympic Committee.
The coat of arms of Kenya shows vigilance and national revival, holding an ax in his raised paw< напоминание об антиколониальном восстании 1952 года и возможный намек о своих претензиях на спорные территории.
It can symbolize both military courage and religious inspiration.
- The beak (singing), comb, and beard can be distinguished by color.
- Raised leg - readiness to take the fight.
Emblematics
- personified Debauchery (Lust);
- Mercury - they are driving his chariot.
The rooster disdaining the diamond.
- One grain of barley would be more beneficial to me than all the precious stones on earth.
- To each his own.
Rooster on the trumpet.
- A symbol of vigilance and prudence in both peace and war.
Rooster
- I am the servant of Apollo and Mars.
Rooster on a laurel tree
- I'm in no danger
Rooster
A symbol of a warrior, gifted with invincible courage, properly armed for battle and constantly in combat readiness. “The comb serves as a helmet or cone, the sharp and hooked beak serves as an ax with which the warrior inflicts wounds on the enemy, even the legs of the rooster are armed with deadly weapons. Thus, the rooster is an example of a valiant warrior who does not seek salvation in flight, but bravely enters the fight.”
Art
In rural and urban arts and crafts (wood carving, embroidery, pottery, ritual cookies, etc.) the art is developing. ancient interpretation of the image of a rooster as a symbol of the sun, masculinity, apotropaic sacrifice, erotic desire (in a grotesque reduction).
In the art of the Renaissance and Baroque, the “emblematic” idea of the rooster as a symbol of vigilance and wakefulness of the spirit prevails: a girl with a rooster is a detail that emphasizes the military virtues of the city guard in Rembrandt’s “Night Watch”.
Associated with the ancient fable tradition are those found up to the 18th century. images of a rooster finding a grain of pearl.
“Gallic rooster” - a motif of French political symbolism (and, partly, heraldry) dates back to mythological ideas tribal society.
IN fine arts XX century the rooster embodies:
- national, “Gallic” beginning - tapestries by J. Lurs;
- aggressive virility - series “Woman and Rooster” by B. Buffet;
- "apocalyptic" tragedies modern history:
The Eastern New Year is just around the corner, and although it is not tomorrow yet, we traditionally take into account the New Year's Eastern symbolism. It's time to remember the symbols of the rooster, so to speak, worldwide. The first thing that came to mind was the Gallic rooster - one of the traditional symbols of France. The Gauls are Celts who lived on the territory of modern France. So, Latin word"gallus" refers to both the gall and the rooster. The Romans called the Gauls this because they were all red-haired, and their character was courageous, warlike and proud. The symbol has survived to this day and the French have nothing against it - the French character is associated with hot temper, courage and a gallant attitude towards ladies. The global significance of the rooster symbol is its connection with the sun and the countdown of time, and this is very New Year’s)
Carved amethyst cockerel, Gerd Dreyer, Germany
The rooster not only heralds the beginning of a new day - it drives away evil forces, heralds the coming of the sun, and symbolizes awakening. The rooster is an attribute of Apollo, Mithra, Ahuromazda, Amaterasu, Asclepius, Ares, Hemes, etc. He is also associated with the dawn deities. Like the sun, the rooster is all-seeing and vigilant - therefore its image is often placed on the roofs of houses, weather vanes, and spiers. And just like the sun, the rooster is associated with the underworld, therefore the symbolism of the rebirth of life is associated with the rooster.
Vintage brooch
The rooster is a very masculine symbol, often used in ancient times in the context of phallic symbolism. The rooster is also a symbol of belligerence, aggressiveness, bravery, courage - it is not without reason that it serves as a symbol of the god of war, Mars.
Cockerel, brooch, mother of pearl, crystal, Trifari
In the year of the Fire Rooster, and 2017, starting from January 28, is exactly the year according to the eastern calendar, it is considered best to pursue a career, since the Rooster patronizes leaders, loves brave and hardworking people with a goal, does not like the lazy and does not stand on ceremony with whiners . In Feng Shui, the rooster is responsible for fame, popularity, luck and wealth. It’s not an easy year, it looks like it’s going to be a year) it’s time to start doing exercises in the morning) By the way, Pushkin’s fairy tale about the Golden Cockerel is an adaptation of the short story American writers Irving’s “The Legend of the Arab Stargazer”)) and it’s also about the same thing - you won’t be able to reign lying on your side)
And although “red rooster” sounds ambiguous in Russian - we're talking about just about the fire element. And to match this bright fiery year- let's move forward boldly, proudly, cheerfully and beautifully!
A Cartier hen on display at an exhibition of Cartier jewelry belonging to Princess Grace of Monaco in Tokyo in the spring of 2009.
Hermitage mechanical clock-peacock with an owl and a cockerel)
The French Gallic rooster is a unique symbol with a long history. The mythological emblem indicates a connection with sunlight and deities symbolizing the sun, dawn, dawn. It is this bright bird that becomes the harbinger of a new day, its kind of herald.
From the history of the Gallic rooster
The Gallic rooster literally became a second name for France. Its fiery nature is associated with many legends, myths and beliefs, as well as ancient sacrifices. In some ritual traditions, paying off in the form of a bird is often associated with lighting a fire. It is believed that the first morning cry of this fiery bird scares away the night ghosts.
What does the Gallic rooster symbol mean? This is a kind of protection, the personification of the sun's glow. Even in the Middle East in ancient times, the rooster totem was widespread. It is not surprising that the Gallic rooster, with which France is still personified today, is often present in legends and fairy tales, acting as a kind of “weapon” against evil spirits, evil spirits, and night ghosts.
Image of a Gallic rooster
Why was such an unusual and striking emblem - the Gallic rooster - chosen for France? After all, many neighboring states used more “royal” animals as symbols: elephants, lions, eagles, bears, wolves. In fact, there is a certain logic to this. The colorful Gallic rooster - a symbol of France - is a bright and clear reflection national character French. It may well be associated with many metallic traits of the nation: courage, determination, hot temper, pugnacity, but, at the same time, with caring and gallantry towards loved ones and representatives of the fair sex.
The bright, bold poultry so revered in France is often referred to as a living watch with spurs and crest. The unofficial emblem of the state - the Gallic rooster - has become a non-trivial allegory of the country and its original flavor. City parks in French cities are often decorated with sculptural figures of the Gallic rooster. Quite often these works of landscape art are made of fresh flowers. The French love to surprise.
Why is the symbol of France the Gallic rooster?
The colorful and memorable Gallic rooster, with which France is inextricably linked, has become a symbol for the state for another reason. The whole point is that the ancestors of the modern French were the Celts. These red-haired people in Ancient Rome were called Gauls. What is noteworthy is that “gallus” translated from Latin is both “gall” and “rooster”. Historians tend to assume that the ancient Romans associated the red hair of the Celts with the combs of poultry.
In ancient Rome, this image often denoted cockiness, excessive pressure, arrogance, and temper. It is not surprising that the word “Gallus” was used to refer to the barbarian tribes that lived in what is today France. The ancient Romans put both meanings into it, since for them the Celts were the personification of insolence and impudence. So the bold and bright Gallic rooster, a photo of which cannot fully reflect the full color of the bird, became the unspoken emblem of France.
This is interesting. “Gallic Golden” is exactly the breed of bird that has received the honor of becoming unique symbol the whole state. This animal is very ancient species poultry.
Features of the symbolism of the Gallic rooster
The Gallic rooster is an image that first appeared in France after 1789, when the first french revolution. The image of the bird often appeared on coins, architectural facades, Phrygian caps, and seals. Figures of roosters can be found in the sculptural decor of some Catholic churches France. In church symbolism, he served as the personification of brotherhood.
Today the Gallic rooster flaunts on state seal France, but it never became the official state symbol of the country. The figure of a rooster, cast in bronze, adorns the fence of the Elysee Park. The brave poultry still expresses its desire to fight to this day. If in previous eras the ancestors of modern Frenchmen wore the emblem on banners and weapons, then even in our time bold image still associated with freedom and independence.
Gallic rooster in a French country interior
The Gallic rooster is one of the expressive symbols of France, which is widely used in interior design. Metal, porcelain, ceramic, and glass rooster figurines often decorate the interiors of kitchens, dining rooms, and living rooms. The original charm distinguishes rag tilde roosters in the style of French Provence. Ceramic tiles for a kitchen backsplash with a pattern of cockerels and hens are a finishing option that gives the room a provincial flair. Images of poultry are often present in the decor of French tableware: plates, cups, tureens.
This is interesting. The symbolic bird is depicted in drawings of an allegorical and humorous nature. French craftswomen create embroidery with a Gallic rooster as the main one actor. This bird often serves as an inspiring image for decoupaging wood, furniture, and accessories in the French country style of Provence.
Since ancient times, birds and animals have personified certain forces of nature, so people have endowed them with symbolic meaning. Sacred birds decorate the frames of houses, and amulets in the form of birds are considered the most powerful. 
Images of roosters and chickens are especially common. They are usually located in pairs in the center of the under-eaves board of the platband and their heads are turned towards each other, often there is a tree between them, which indicates the traditional symbolism of the composition. Sometimes these images are given very realistically, especially the rooster: with a comb, beard and bushy tail. 
The symbolism of ethnographic lighting devices is interesting. The sun was often depicted on the lights, with a rooster inside it. The rooster is a stable symbol of dawn, sunrise and fire, or more precisely, fire with its glow (“let the red rooster”). The rooster was also painted on candlesticks next to the sun. 
Birds were of equal, if not greater, importance to humans as protectors from all kinds of evil spirits. Perhaps the most famous “deliverer” is the rooster. This quality of his has been sung many times in folklore, and is often played out in fiction. For M. Bulgakov, N. Gogol and many other writers, the predawn crow of a rooster makes evil spirits disappear. 
J.R.R. plays on the same moment. Tolkien. During the assault on Minas Tirith, even the Supreme Nazgul was powerless against the crowing of the rooster. By folk legends, during the Sabbaths, witches had to return home with the first cry of the rooster 
One of the main senses in humans is vision. Deprived of the opportunity to see, he feels, to put it mildly, uncomfortable. This is probably why the night of all the peoples of the world is given over to all sorts of evil spirits. The night, and with it the undead, is driven away by dawn. It is not surprising that the bird that heralds the sunrise (the third roosters) in the human imagination was itself endowed with enormous capabilities. 
The rooster has become a sacred or at least respected bird among many peoples. Moreover, he was revered primarily as a harbinger of sunrise. 
IN Ancient Greece he was associated with the deities of the underworld. He was an attribute of Persephone, who was forced to spend a third of the year with her husband in Hades. The goddess emerged from the underground darkness into the light every spring, and the rooster heralded the light every morning. He was a messenger of light among the Persians, a symbol of abundance and a personification of the sun. In general, in most mythological traditions, the rooster was associated with the gods of dawn, sun, light, heavenly fire - Aurora, Helios, Mithras, Ahuramazda, etc. 
Interestingly, he is not only the herald of the sun, but also its guide in the annual and daily cycles. So, in China, this bird accompanies the sun on its way through the tenth “house” of the Chinese zodiac (Capricorn) and through the fifth to seventh hours in the afternoon. Among the ancient Jews, the rooster was a symbol of the third watch of the night - from midnight to dawn. It was believed to be as watchful and all-seeing as the sun, so in Ancient Rome it was widely used in fortune telling and weather forecasting. 
Images of a rooster as a guard against all kinds of evil forces were placed on the roofs of houses, weather vanes, and chests. 
In China, a red rooster is placed on the walls of the house as a talisman against fire. The rooster is also associated with the symbolism of the resurrection from the dead and the eternal rebirth of life. 
In Ancient Greece, he was dedicated to Asclepius as an image of healing death-rebirth. In Rome, this bird symbolized January - the month of the beginning of the new year and the awakening of nature. 
The black rooster was associated with water, the underworld, and personified death and evil. Hence the use of black roosters and hens for magical purposes. 
It was a “normal” rooster the best remedy to drive out demons and other evil spirits. For this purpose, it could be brought, for example, to a newborn or to a new home. In Christianity, the rooster also became a symbol of light. It was often placed on church spiers. 
Images of a rooster were found on coffins - in the darkness of death, he was supposed to herald the morning of resurrection. Finally, the rooster was the bird of fertility and harvest, as well as sexual potency. Among the southern Slavs, Hungarians and some other peoples, the groom often wore a live bird or its image during the wedding. 
Among a number of Indian tribes of Central America, the rooster was considered an important nagual (patron spirit), with which human life is connected. The death of the rooster entailed the death of his ward (Myths of the Peoples of the World, 1980-1982; Gattiker, Gattiker, 1989). 
The rooster played a major role in the beliefs of the ancient Slavs. Western Slavs they honored him as Svyatovit’s bird (Vagurina, 1998). In Ukraine, it was believed that the rooster is the best talisman in the household. In his absence, Satan will definitely appear. Even the Chumaks took the bird with them when setting off on their journey. Carved or tin figurines of roosters were often installed in cemeteries so that they would “keep the dead at bay” and prevent them from rising from their graves. And of course, the rooster is the messenger of the sun and light. According to one legend, he called upon sunlight in the morning, like a bird of the sun god. (Metropolitan Ilarion, 1994; Skurativsky, 1998). Apparently, in ancient times, keeping a rooster on the estate had a dual meaning: both as a talisman against evil spirits, and for magical purposes - it called on the sun. He also needed help to come to people, just like spring. 
Roosters were also used for healing. In the Voronezh province there was interesting custom: if a child cried for a long time at night, the mother would wrap him in a hem and take him to the chicken coop to treat. She bathed him under the perch, saying: “Zorya-Zorenka, beautiful maiden! Take your cryx, give us the dream” (Vagurina, 1998). 
The belief in the extraordinary power of the rooster's crow is well illustrated by the legend recorded by I. Franko. Before their death, seven brother princes wanted to build a church in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, where they were to be buried. But no matter how much they built it during the day, at night the masonry fell into the ground. Then the elder brother ordered to build a golden ball into which a live rooster was placed. When the ball was attached to the top of the tower, the rooster crowed, and the tower itself rose from underground to the sky (Skurativsky, 1998). 
The rooster is a pugnacious bird. No wonder it has also become a symbol of militancy and courage. Even the ancient Greeks used cockfights to “ignite” their soldiers. The Danes always kept two roosters during the war. One - as an “alarm clock”, the second - to inspire soldiers to fight. The Germans also carried a rooster with them to stimulate vigilance (Gattiker and Gattiker, 1989). 
Due to its great capabilities and connections with a variety of deities, the rooster was a universal bird for sacrifices and was often used in ritual and magical actions. Sacrifices could be made with the most different purposes- to appease the gods and forces of nature, to prevent diseases and accidents, for a good harvest, when building a new house, etc. In Yugoslavia, the rooster and hen were a symbol of marital unity; they were sacrificed by the spouses (Gattiker, Gattiker, 1989) . 
At the same time, for the people themselves there were many prohibitions on eating roosters and even chickens. Truly they were considered the food of the gods. Some peoples had a complete ban on eating their meat, while others introduced significant restrictions. For example, the Celts in Britain did not eat chickens (Alexandrovsky, 1998). 
CHILDREN'S RIDDLES ABOUT THE COCK:
Not a king, but wearing a crown, not a hussar, but with spurs.
Not a rider, but with spurs,
Not a watchman, but wakes everyone up.
http://ecoethics.ru/old/b11a/ (ECOLOGICAL TRADITIONS, RELIGIOUS VIEWS OF SLAVIC AND OTHER PEOPLES. Volume 2. Birds
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
