As a result, chickens do not appear in most Native traditions. Native Americans did not generally have chickens until colonists and explorers brought them from Europe during the Age of Exploration. The phrase “cocky” stems from the rooster or “cock.” This bird is so firmly associated with masculine lustiness, that this word originally meant “lecherous.” Nowadays, “cocky” or “cocksure” refer to the audacious overconfidence that roosters exude. In any case, the weather vane rooster represents vigilance, patience, and protection. The association of roosters with the morning is said to be a part of this tradition, as is a Medieval Pope who declared that church weather vanes should be roosters. The reason why so many weather vanes are shaped like roosters is unclear. Roosters often serve as weather vanes atop houses, barns, and other buildings. Each day is a new day and the rooster never hesitates to seize it! Roosters crow at all times of day for many reasons, but that ubiquitous morning crow has cemented these birds as symbols of sunshine, energy, early risers, and optimism. Often roosters will even crow just before the sunrise, leading researchers to posit that these birds crow according to an internal clock. The sound of this call has become synonymous with the break of day.

Roosters are famous for greeting the dawn with their “cock-a-doodle-doo” calls. Associated with masculinity, virility, fearlessness, and aggression, the rooster cannot be more different than its female counterpart.

While chickens on the whole often represent prosperity, motherhood, and comfort, roosters hold very different connotations. ( 1) This means that chickens and roosters are one of humankind’s oldest relationships. The domestication of chickens is thought to have occurred around 2000 BC, though new research suggests this may have been accomplished as early as 8000 BC. Roosters have been a part of humanity’s story for thousands of years. The ultimate symbol of the morning sun, the rooster is most recognized for its loud and proud call and its confident attitude.

Another word for sign or omen