As the Wind Blows: A Look at Weather Vanes
Weather vanes have been capturing the interest and imagination,
of both young and old alike, for centuries. Watchful roosters
overlooking barns, trotting horses topping elegant homes, these
unique little weather devices have a rich history, predating the
birth of Christ. But how did they come to be? Who made the first
one? Why are they called weather vanes? Join us, as we explore a
few fun facts about weather vanes.
The earliest known weather vane dates back to the year 48 B.C.,
where it adorned the Tower of Winds in Athens. Believed to be
more than 4' long, this first weather vane was fashioned in the
likeness of the Greek God, Triton, with the head and torso of a
man and the body of a fish. Due to the fact that the ancient
Greeks and pre-Christian Romans believed that the wind carried
divine powers, it was not uncommon to see weather vanes created
in the likenesses of Greek gods, such as Hermes, Mercury and
Boreas.
Norsemen picked up the idea of the weather vane and began making
their own around the 9th century. Unique, to this day, the
Vikings created banner-styled weather vanes and commonly placed
them on their ships, for navigational purposes, as well as their
homes. Usually topped by a favored animal figurine, this weather
vane style can still commonly be found in Norway and Sweden. It
is also believed that, around this time, the Pope decreed that
all churches in Europe display a cock atop their church, as a
reminder of Jesus' prophesy that the cock would not crow, the
morning after The Last Supper. Ever since, it has been
traditional for many churches, both in Europe and America, to
display a cock weather vane.
First President, George Washington, commemorated the end of the
Revolutionary War by having a special weather vane commissioned
for the top of his Mount Vernon estate. Created in the likeness
of a dove, carrying an olive branch, or a Dove of Peace, this
weather vane was finished in 1787, by Joseph Rakestraw. Even
Thomas Jefferson found an interest in weather vanes, supposedly
attaching the weather vane, on Monticello, to a pointer inside
his house. This way, he was able to determine the direction of
the wind, without having to leave the comfort of his home.
During the 1800's, common weather vanes depicted popular racing
horses, such as George M. Patchen and Smuggler, their likenesses
recreated from the stylish Currier and Ives prints. The artwork
of weather vanes has only advanced from there, allowing one's
imagination to go wild; elegant silhouettes, fanciful scrolls
and arrows, even three-dimensional animal creations. Now
expanding with a plethora of different materials, it's a sure
bet that whatever one desires in a weather vane; if it hasn't
been made yet, there is someone out there ready to give it a
whirl.