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Multiple Sides to Weather Vanes

Often times when we visited some countries steeped in old-time charm, our attentions are never failed to be drawn to those weather vanes turning on the roofs of their landmark buildings or churches.  For centuries these weather vanes have kept people in touch with one nature’s most important and powerful elements, the wind.  Changing wind directions when coordinated with other apparent changes in the sky have been used for ages as a simple short range forecast to weather changes.
A weather vane is a simple gadget that sits atop the highest point of a building that functions to signal the changing direction of the wind aside from being an architectural ornament.  They are placed as far from the ground as possible in order to gauge the shifting winds more accurately.  Traditionally, the most common weather vane design is in the form of a cockerel with four letters that indicate the main points of the compass.  Other more recent designs varied from an eagle, rooster, hawk, pheasant and a pelican or in our contemporary era these days, the designs have become more fanciful like a car, a golfer or the fireman.
These weather vanes are normally made from copper or other non-ferrous metals that do not rust such as brass or nickel silver.  They are also found to be made from aluminum, steel and iron and it is also possible to find them made of wood.  They are available in several styles as follows:
 
Classic Arrow & Scroll:  This is a simple style with a basic arrow ornament attached onto a horizontal tube.  Either on top or beneath the arrow, there will pointers to indicate the four directions of the compass.  The arrow moves around to indicate the wind shifts.
 
Banner & Banneret:  This style is derived from medieval pennants and flags that have the points in front with a flat area on the back.  A monogram is then cut through on it.  Either atop or below are the compass pointers.
Silhouette weather vanes:  They are generally cut out from a flat metal sheet without any sculptural qualities.  They are small and inexpensive and are usually popular for the gardens and at sporting events.

Swell-bodied weathervane:   This is the most common style and is more aerodynamic in the wind the earlier types.  The ornament is made dimensional but tend to be thinner that the 3-dimensional ones.

Full-bodied weather vane:  This is the fully 3-dimensional weather vane and is made to withstand more wind stress than all the earlier styles.  This style is often custom-made and can be very big in size.  As such, a full-bodied weather vane would require more structural support and make it the most expensive type of weather vane on the market.
These days, the weather vanes have also become an ornamental piece to spruce up the gardens.  They are mounted on a pole in the ground to make a stunning eye-catcher in the garden while lending a nostalgic and rustic feeling.  The few popular motifs found in the garden include the rooster, pheasant and pelican. 

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