Vane
(written also FANE), a plate of metal turning on a vertical spindle so as to show the direction of the wind, frequently fixed on the tops of spires and pinnacles, and in other elevated positions it is often in the form of a cock, and from this circumstance is very commonly called a weathercock. 'Vanes were in use in the times of the Saxons, and in after ages were very extensively employed. They were sometimes perfectly plain, and sometimes cut into ornamental forms, which were hot infrequently heraldic devices. During the prevalence of the Perpendicular and Elizabethan styles figures supporting vanes were often placed on the tops of pinnacles, and in other exposed situations these were usually in the form of small flags, and were sometimes pierced with a representation of some animal bearing. Occasionally the vanes was shaped like an heraldic device.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More