The spire of Notre Dame in Paris today recovered its iconic Gallic rooster. What is the meaning of this figure?

One of the most important moments in the process of rinauguration of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris or Notre Dame It happened today, with the installation of a golden rooster on the spire that crowns the structure.

It is a key to the project to renovate the old building, destroyed by a fire on April 15, 2019. The person responsible for the design of the bird was the architect Filip Villeneuve. The original rooster was destroyed by flames and declared beyond saving.

Why a rooster? It is the French emblem of the vigil and resurrection of Christ. In the Middle Ages it was the symbol of faith and hope. During the Renaissance this image was so strengthened that it began to exist part of the identity of the French nation.

The figure created by Villeneuve will carry holy relics, fragments of Christ’s crown of thorns and remains of Saint Denis and Saint Genevieve, it will therefore remain an image with a deep religious meaning.

The Crown of Thorns, Notre Dame’s most sacred possession, was among the treasures quickly removed The fire was barely noticed. They are said to have been brought to Paris by King Louis IX in the 13th century and are believed to be the object that pressed on Jesus’ head at the crucifixion.

Something else goes on the rooster, a sealed list with the names of the more than 2,000 people contributed to the reconstruction of the cathedral.

The rooster thus carries with it a part of French history and also Christianity. Before climbing to its final destination, the rooster was blessed by the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the original rooster will be exhibited in a new museum, at the Hotel Dieu. The president has plans invite Pope Francis to the cathedral’s reopening next year.

On their social networks Notre Dame has begun the countdown to Christmas and its reopening. (JO)