In Mexican folklore, the rooster (el gallo) is a potent symbol of aggressive masculinity, machismo, pride, and virility. The artisans of Ocumicho combined the traditional rooster figurine with the transgressive, uninhibited nature of their famous devils. These sculptures frequently feature roosters sitting over human figures engaged in explicit sexual acts.
The rise of erotic imagery in Ocumicho ceramics is attributed to Marcelino Vicente, who inspired the devil iconography the village is so famous for. Though Vicente was beaten to death in 1968 in what many believe was a hate crime connected to his non-conforming sexuality and lifestyle, the women of the town have kept his legacy alive.
These roosters certainly draw a shocking smile for the unsuspecting visitors who happens to pick it up, discovering a hidden world beneath!
