The ubiquitous rooster on church steeples and domes in France
Since I collect chickens I’m always on the lookout for them. On our Rhine River cruise in France I was struck by the gold roosters atop the church steeples. We learned that in the 9th century Pope Nicholas decreed that all churches must display the rooster on their steeples as a symbol of Peter’s betrayal of Jesus. It’s amazing the things we learn when we travel.
This is a beautiful steeple! You are right about the rooster. In line with the betrayal of Jesus it also symbolizes hope/new life (think about a new day when the rooster crows in the morning).
Actually on this steeple there is more to see: Pagans believed evil spirits were afraid of mirrors. The shiny globes/balls would scare them away. (Fun is that our Christmas baubles come from that too). Anyway, it is unclear why the symbol was taken over, but it is often said that the globe/ball symbolizes the apple Adam and Eve ate.
In the middle is the cross for obvious reasons.
The order is always the same: 1) the ball/apple - people being bad. 2) the cross - Jesus took our sins 3) the rooster - reminding people of the Peter's betrayal of Jesus and/or giving hope.
On many churches in Europe you find either one of the 3 symbols and often all 3.
Actually on this steeple there is more to see: Pagans believed evil spirits were afraid of mirrors. The shiny globes/balls would scare them away. (Fun is that our Christmas baubles come from that too). Anyway, it is unclear why the symbol was taken over, but it is often said that the globe/ball symbolizes the apple Adam and Eve ate.
In the middle is the cross for obvious reasons.
The order is always the same: 1) the ball/apple - people being bad. 2) the cross - Jesus took our sins 3) the rooster - reminding people of the Peter's betrayal of Jesus and/or giving hope.
On many churches in Europe you find either one of the 3 symbols and often all 3.