Last Updated on October 1, 2020 by Avia

Symbolic Meaning of the Rooster

Rooster Meaning

Symbol meanings of the Rooster (cock or cockerel) are as vibrant and diverse as the rooster’s plumage.

Rooster symbol meanings are all about fanning out with brilliance, and showing the world your shimmering facets of personality.

Most cultures embrace the Rooster as a solar symbol, and a sign of illumination, with the exception of the Nordic and Celtic cultures.

Celtic and Norse lore describe the Rooster as a creature of the Underworld. Specifically, the cock served as a messenger of the Underworld, screeching out warnings in danger, and calling out for the souls of the fallen in battle. For more Celtic animal symbol meanings click here.

“There’s a morning when presence comes over your soul.
You sing like a rooster in your earth-colored shape.
Your heart hears and, no longer frantic, begins to dance.”
~Rumi

Rooster Meaning in Culture

The ancient Greeks believed the Rooster rose to attention and saluted the sun every morning with a hearty cry, symbolizing victory over night. As such, the Rooster was considered a solar emblem to the Greeks, and was adopted as a sacred sign to the god Apollo as well as Zeus, Persephone and Attis.

In Christianity the Rooster is noted for crowing three times after Peter denied Christ. As such, it became a symbol for Christ’s passion. Later, the Rooster would signify the repentance of the saint and religious vigilance as well as resurrection. To this day the Rooster seen on a weathervane is steeped in symbolic meanings that deal with watchful vigilance against evil, as weathervanes are commonly seen atop churches.

One of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac, the Rooster is a Chinese symbol of honesty, as well as physical and moral fortitude. It is of the yang attribute and signifies fortune, luck, fidelity, protection as well as bossiness. For other Chinese animal symbol meanings click here.

Roosters are considered sacred symbols in Japan, and are permitted to run free among the Shinto temples. This is partially due to the Rooster calling Shinto followers to prayer with its morning crow at dawn.

A summary of symbol meanings for the Rooster include….