Product Description
Made in Alcobaça, Portugal on a small family owned pottery, this Barcelos Rooster figurine is inspired by the Viana's Heart, a symbol of love and fraternity. Although, the primary purpose of the Heart of Viana was not to be a symbol of love, but rather a symbol of dedication and worship to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was probably Queen D. Maria I who, grateful for the “blessing” of having been granted a male child, had a heart made in gold.
Hand painted with care and lively colors, these Ceramic Roosters are a piece of art that will look perfect on your kitchen countertop.
Inspired by an ancient legend the Barcelos Rooster is the unofficial symbol of Portugal, and it is said to represent the embodiment of the famous Portuguese love of life and good luck. People believe that to bring good fortune the Rooster must be gifted and not bought.
These figurines are a welcome addition to any home and make a thoughtful housewarming gift. Portuguese people traditionally display them in the kitchen, but these sculptures are also a perfect complement to your living room, office, yard, patio, or backyard adding a touch of farmhouse country style.
Features
- Hand painted by a family of master artisans in Alcobaça, Portugal
- Inspired by the designs of the Heart of Viana
- Perfect gift souvenir from Portugal
- Will bring charm to your living room, office, yard, patio, or backyard adding a touch of farmhouse country style
- Measurements: Large - 8.5" x 5" x 11"; Medium - 6.75" x 4.5" x 10"; Small - 6" x 4" x 8" Inch (L x W x H)
- Pottery pieces are all hand painted one at a time by our artisans so your item may have slight design and color variations compared to the photos. This makes each piece you purchase truly one of a kind!
The Legend of the Rooster
The legend of the Barcelos Rooster narrates the miraculous intervention of a dead rooster that crowed as proof of the innocence of a man wrongly accused and sentenced to be hanged.
In the 15th century, in a town in the north province of Minho, called Barcelos, an unsolved crime made people scared of leaving their homes.
At the same time the crime happened, a pilgrim, an extremely poor one, was passing through Barcelos to fulfil a promise he had made to Santiago de Compostela.
Despite of his explanation as why he was in town, the pilgrim was arrested and sentenced to death by hanging. But he refused to go without standing in front of a judge. So, he went to the judge’s house who was having a cooked rooster meal.
He wanted to live, he had love for life, but his words did not convince the judge who, by this time, had lost his appetite and set aside his cooked rooster.
Sentenced to death, the pilgrim looked into the judge’s eyes and stated that at the time of his hanging, that cooked rooster would crow, proving his innocence. Every person in that room laughed and mocked the poor pilgrim.
As he was to be executed, the cooked rooster stood upon the table and crowed. The judge realized his mistake and rushed to save the pilgrim.
He loved life and he wasn’t about going to give up. That drive was passed to Portuguese people and today they display the Barcelos Rooster with pride, showing that life is worth living even when you are faced with the toughest challenges.
That's why the Barcelos Rooster is considered a symbol of goodluck. Portuguese people believe that to bring good fortune the Rooster must be gifted and not bought.
