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Cocks of Portugal
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The cock is a national symbol of Portugal and France.
In France is used as an unofficial national mascot, in particular for sports teams. Its origin appears to be from the play on words between the Latin name for the bird ("Gallus gallus") and Gaul ("Gallia"), the Roman name for France.
In Portugal the reason is probably this legend:
"One day a man from Galicia (NW Spain), a pilgrim, was suspected of having committed the crime in the city of Barcelos. He was arrested and though his protests of innocence, nobody believed him and he was condemned to be hanged. But before the execution, he asked to be taken to the presence of the judge who had pronounced the sentence. His request was granted, and they took him to the house of the magistrate, who was dining with some friends.
The Galician once again protested his innocence, pointed to a roast chicken on the table and exclaimed: "As surely as I am innocent, will that cock crow if I am hanged!" Everybody laughed but did not touch that rooster. What seemed impossible actually happened.
When the pilgrim was being hanged, the cock stood up on the table and crowed. No one any longer doubted the innocence of the condemned man. The judge rushed to the gallows and horrified saw the wretched man with the rope around his neck. But the knot was caught and thus prevented him from being strangled.
He was immediately released and sent on his way in peace. Years later, he returned to Barcelos and built the monument to the Virgin and St. James."
Now this "Galo de Barcelos" can be found as pottery, ceramics, wicker baskets, clothes, furniture,...
I like one which is a kind of barometer or hygrometer and changes its color to forecast bad or good weather
Here is a collage of pictures of this beatiful animal taken in Evora during my travel to Lusitania. |
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| Discussions |
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Updated |
| To njmv79: Back in time | kLe |
1 |
09-10 17:19 |
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- maki
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 813 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
(0) - [2006-09-10 13:48]
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Hello,
Good mixed picture with the cocks from this impressive country. It's maybe not usual here to make such postcards but I like it for it's colors and country design,
regards,
maki
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- njmv79
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 81 W: 13 N: 92]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(469) - [2006-09-10 15:23]
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Hola Clemente,
You have made me go back about 20 years in time, I remember when I was studying in Portugal and my uncle used to sculpture the Galo de Barcelos in nice wood works, he used to sell it or as gifts to his friends, I am sorry I cannot show you a picture of the wood work with some of it but I haven't been there for more than 10 years.
TFS,
Nelson
Hey Clemente,
Nice photo mix.
It seems like a post card.
Good job.
Nanau
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 321 W: 103 N: 479]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}