Weather vane on the roof: functional qualities and symbolism (22 photos)

Weather vane is a meteorological device that is installed on the roof to determine the direction and strength of the wind. Initially, the functional attribute, which rotates from side to side, eventually acquired a bright decorative color, decorating the roofs of houses.

A vintage attribute on the roof of modern buildings

A weather vane on the roof from ancient times was installed as a talisman. He had to protect from evil spirits, to form a kind of protective barrier around the monastery. A beautiful rotating element gave the house a touch of exclusivity, highlighting even the simplest building from a common line.

A chimney or garden vane can be seen from afar. It attracts the eye, reflects the life position and thinking of its owners, clearly demonstrating the taste, and sometimes social status.

In ancient times, flags of surnames, coats of arms, zodiac elements were used as an image for weathercocks. Roofs of houses were decorated with ornate figurines of angels, animal motifs, images of mythical creatures and favorite fairy-tale characters.

It is believed that such elements first appeared on the roofs of port villages. Initially, iron flags with certain symbols were placed on the mast of the ships, and then migrated to the houses of urban residents, as well as the roofs of administrative buildings.

Device and design features

A beautiful weather vane that can rotate has an extremely simple mechanism. A plate (flyugar), which spins under the influence of wind force, thereby showing speed and direction, consists of the following elements:

• A metal rod that is firmly attached to the roof, chimney or other supporting platforms;
• Index plate presented in the form of a flat figure;
• Wind rose (a pointer to the cardinal points), which allows you to visually determine the direction of the wind.

The standard dimensions of the structure are 400x770-800x1200 mm. However, the parameters are only indicative. Today you can choose a finished product of the most bizarre shapes and sizes, as well as find a craftsman who is ready to make a weather vane on the roof of the house according to an individual drawing.

The main types of weathervanes

Functional features determine the species diversity of weathercocks. There are 4 main types of similar devices for roofs of houses:

• Meteorological weather vane on a chimney or roof. It is a rather complex high-precision device with a balanced mechanism of operation. A typical representative is an anemorumbometer used by weather stations.
• Weathervane Wilde (windmill). These devices are used to determine the strength and direction of the wind. The level of design complexity depends on how accurate the results should be. A special detail is a vertical plate. It can be replaced with a fixture with blades.
• A weather vane with a propeller is often also used as a kind of bird repeller.
• Chimney devices. A weather vane is installed in the chimney if it is necessary to protect the chimney pipe from blowing air. With a strong wind, the combustion products freely go outside.

It is worth mentioning about decorative elements. The main function of the weather vane is to decorate the roof of the building.Usually a metal weather vane is made in the form of some kind of animal or is represented by complex symbols.

Symbolism

Since ancient times, people believed in the mystical power of amulets, and the weather vane on the chimney or roof of the house played, in the first place, the role of the house mascot. In fact, the wind indicator was also an ornament that carried a certain magical protection.

Today, many also will not give up a good talisman, therefore, choosing a weather vane for the private sector in the city or for a summer residence, they often recall the symbolic load of this element.

Let's consider some of them:

• A weather vane made of metal or copper in the form of a rooster, according to the beliefs of ancestors, drives away evil spirits from the house, protects the monastery from fires, robberies and any enemy attacks;
• Figures of cows or horses symbolize eternal love and devotion;
• Griffin is a symbol of power and prosperity. He must attract prosperity and success into the house;
• The ship depicted on the weather vane will bring positive changes into the house;
• The cat is chosen by freedom-loving and creative people;
• An angel is the protector of the house and its inhabitants, the messenger of the spiritual world;
• Images of sorceresses or witches should indicate the strength and power of a person living in the house.

In fact, absolutely any sign, symbol or image can become the basis for creating an exclusive weather vane. One of the latest trends is to hang forged weathercocks with the name of the residents of the house.

Materials for the manufacture

You can make a weather vane even with your own hands, using the most primitive improvised material: wood, plywood, plastic. Metal is traditionally used to create products with the longest possible life.

Steel, metal, copper weather vane can be coated with a wide variety of anti-corrosion compounds that will protect the product from ultraviolet radiation and moisture. Any master uses such protection in his work. When creating a decor with your own hands, it is also recommended to use anti-corrosion agents. In addition, after high-quality processing, the chimney weather vane looks even more presentable.

DIY wind vane ideas

The easiest way to make decoration for the roof of the house yourself is to take sheet metal for processing. Using special scissors, you can quite easily cut out absolutely any figure or symbol. The speed of work depends on dexterity and basic skills. Before starting work, it is better to think over the concept and style, as well as make a drawing, according to which the smoke vane will be made.

For those who own a jigsaw, working with metal and similar materials will be even easier. The most high-tech method to create real masterpieces is laser cutting technology. However, this method is also the most costly in terms of investing funds.

Work with wood

A weather vane made of wood looks very cozy and beautiful, but disappoints with a too short period of operation. Of course, the product can also be treated with special protective compounds, but they will solve the problem for a short time.

A wooden weather vane is constantly under the influence of precipitation, sudden changes in humidity and temperature. No type of wood can withstand such loads for a long time. However, if pieces of plywood are littered with the house, they can be used for home crafts, from time to time updating the design of the roof of the house.

Plywood and other types of wood that are easy to process are often used as improvised material for teaching children. You can craft different figures together, which will be characterized by rotation. They are painted, varnished and placed in the chimney.

Such crafts can be made a good family tradition: to create new creations every year and decorate the house with them. In addition, do not forget about the symbolism of the weather vane. Each time a rotating figure can personify a new stage of life and call something good into the house, which is especially necessary at this particular moment.