The peacocks are bright colour birds with predominantly blue fan like crest of spatula-tipped wire like feathers. And is best recognize for their long train with elongate upper-tail covert feathers which bear colourful eyespots. These stiff feathers are raise into a fan and quivered in a display during courtship. Prominent in many cultures, the peacock has been use in numerous iconic representations. There is a frequent depiction in temple art, mythology, poetry, folk music and traditions.
Peacocks are peafowl species with scientific name ‘Pavo Cristatus’ and also has another name ‘mayura’ in Sanskrit. Male peafowl are called peacocks. Female peafowl are called peahens. Peafowl of either sex are often referred to colloquially as “peacocks”. Despite the length and size of these covert feathers, peacocks are still capable of flight. Peahens lack the train, have a white face and iridescent green lower neck, and dull brown plumage.
The Indian peafowl primarily lives on the ground in open forests. They also inhabit land under cultivation. Here, they forage for berries and grains. They also prey on snakes, lizards, and small rodents. Their loud calls make them easy to detect. In forest areas, these calls often indicate the presence of a predator such as a tiger. A folk belief in many parts of India is that the peacock does not copulate with the peahen. It is believed she gets pregnant by other means. The stories vary. One story includes the idea that the peacock looks at its ugly feet and cries. The tears are fed on by the peahen, causing it to be orally impregnated. Other variants incorporate sperm transfer from beak to beak.
Significance In Different Cultures
The peacock is believed to be created from one of the feathers of Garuda. Garuda is a mythical bird in Hindu mythology. He serves as a carrier of Lord Vishnu. It depicts as a mythical bird which is killing a snake. According to a number of Hindu scriptures, it is a symbol of the cycle of time.
Peacocks are native to the Indian subcontinent and is the national bird of India. The bird represented elegance and royalty in India during medieval times. They have also introduce to many other countries as well. The bird is celebrated in Hindu and Greek mythology. The peacock represents in both the Burmese and Sinhalese zodiacs. To the Sinhalese people, the peacock is the third animal of the zodiac of Sri Lanka. Christianity adopted old Persian and Babylonian symbolism. In these traditions, the peacock was associated with Paradise and the Tree of Life. The bird is associated with immortality again. In Christian iconography, the peacock is often depicts next to the Tree of Life. Among Ashkenazi Jews, the golden peacock is a symbol for joy and creativity. Quills from the bird’s feathers serve as a metaphor for a writer’s inspiration. In Buddhist philosophy, the peacock represents wisdom.
In Chinese mythology, the beautiful colors and “eyes” on the peacock’s tail represented fame and good luck. They enhanced one’s protection and awareness. The peacock represents different meanings to different cultures. Its unique beauty makes it a handy symbol for power, strength, confidence, and even divinity. Most monarchs throughout history have wanted to associate with these qualities.
The Indian peacock is regarded as an auspicious symbol in Hinduism. It is the mount of Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Kaumari, and also of Sarasvati, the goddess of wisdom and learning. It is also the vehicle of Shri Lakshmi and Lord Brahma. When mounted by kama, the god of love, it represents desire. The peacock displays the divine shape of Omkara when it spreads its magnificent plumes into a full-blown circular form.
A story in the ‘Uttara Ramayana’ describes the head of the Devas, Indra. Unable to defeat Ravana, he sheltered under the wing of a peacock. Later, he blessed it with a “thousand eyes” and fearlessness from serpents. Another story has Indra. After being cursed with a thousand ulcers, he transformed into a peacock with a thousand eyes. Lord Vishnu removed this curse.
Peacock Feathers And Lord Krishna
Peacock feathers also adorn the crest of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is said that once, Lord Krishna woke first from a rest in the forest with his cowherd friends. He wanted to wake everyone. He also wanted to call the cows grazing at a distance by playing his flute. Lord Krishna played a melodious raga with his flute. This wonderful vibration enchanted the peacocks in and around the Govardhan hills. Their hearts began to sing in happiness and fill the skies with their own song. The resonant vibrations from the flute encouraged the peacocks to dance and by his kind glances and sweet smiling. They cried with joy and it sounded all over the hills. In time, their sounds became indistinguishable from the echoes. They became excited and jumped up and down, flapping their wings.
As the peacocks danced, the kings of peacocks made his way to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna. He touches his holy feet and makes a sound. Sri Krishna understands this sound as a thanking note. It also requests him to dance with them. Sri Krishna accepts to dance and moves amidst them. He dances like the peacocks. He increases the tempo and plays to the rhythm of his steps. The bliss of the peacocks increased multifold when Sri Krishna danced with them. It was so overwhelming, that some peacocks fainted. All the animals and cowherds of the Govardhan hills stood transfixed. They were unable to move their eyes away from the dance of Sri Krishna.
After many days, when he stopped dancing, there was an enchanting silence. The king of the peacocks approached Sri Krishna with great humility. He bowed down his head and said, “You have created a festival of bliss. We remain eternally indebted to you for this.” It is our duty to offer you ‘Gurudakshina’. I request you to accept our only opulence, our plumage. Wear them on your crown as a decoration.” With large tears of ecstasy, the king of peacocks dropped many divine feathers. Sri Krishna lovingly accepted the offering of the peacocks and picked up the feathers. And to everybody’s joy, placed a few of them on his turban. The minute he touched its crown, all peacock feathers became Holy. Then they are bless with powers of many kinds with magical healing abilities.
Healing Benefits of Peacock Feathers
Peacock feathers or mor pankh have a long and illustrious history dating back to antiquity. Many people believe that peacock feathers possess many healing benefits that can enhance one’s life. These include improving emotional well-being, bringing joy, and protecting against negative energy. There are uses in many rituals and ornamentation. Peacock motifs are widespread in Indian temple architecture, old coinage, and textiles. They continue to have uses in many modern items of art and utility. People believe that keeping peacock feathers at home brings good luck. They are also identified with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. They are also bring luck in love because of their charming, gentle, and romantic nature.
The peacock is considered to be a bird of protection and safe guarding. This bird is also valued as a protection for the psychic self. Thus, the peacock feather within a home safeguards the energy in the environment. It is also believe that peacock feathers keep the house free from flies and other insects. To escape from lizards roaming in your home then have peacock feathers at every corner of your home. There is a believe that they are able to foretell rain, by dancing before it pours. And, if a peacock cries more than usual, then it foretell the death of someone in the family.
Peacock feathers have long history in astrology as a symbol of beauty, power, and nobility. People who wear peacock feathers often feel more confident and powerful. It is beneficial for mental clarity and focus. People who use peacock feathers in their astrological readings often report increased feelings of well-being and happiness. The dancing posture of a peacock in your living room can bring richness, sophistication, and beauty. Someone who suffers Rahu Dosha in their horoscope can use peacock to bring happiness and keep away bad spirits.
Placing a peacock feather on the idol brings additional benefits and said to remove Vastu Dosha. This releases mental stress or disturbance. You can keep a peacock feather in the south-east direction of your house. It is believed to bring wealth and happiness.
Peacock feather fans are becoming more popular in bedrooms for their many benefits. Some of these benefits include: It has a natural antimicrobial agent. This agent can help keep your bedroom environment clean. It also helps maintain a healthy environment. They create a calming and relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom. This reduces stress and improve sleep quality. Also they boost energy levels and gives a feeling of well-being.
Some people believe that they have health benefits, such as helping to improve circulation, reducing inflammation, and fighting allergies. It emits negative ions, which can help to improve mood and concentration levels. It aids in relieving tension headaches and migraines. Also reducing stress levels, making it a great choice for those who work on a computer all day long. It can also help improve energy levels and moods, making it an ideal addition to any stressful lifestyle.
References & Further Reading
Here are some trusted sources about peacocks (peafowl) that offer reliable, expert-backed information:
- Encyclopaedia Britannica – Offers detailed natural history and species classification. It provides physical description and conservation statuses of the Indian, green (Javanese), and Congo peafowls.
- PBS (Nature) – A fact sheet covering size and species differences. It also includes diet, habitat, and breeding behavior. Social structure, lifespan, threats, and conservation efforts are detailed.
- Wikipedia – Peafowl – Covers taxonomy, species diversity, sexual dimorphism, courtship displays, and evolutionary functions of plumage.
- Wikipedia – Indian peafowl – Details breeding behavior, lekking, courtship rituals, and mating systems in Indian peafowl.
- ThoughtCo (Dr. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.) – Offers “fast facts” on scientific names, size, habitat, lifespan, diet, and conservation for various peafowl species.
- AnimalGator – Describes physical traits, distribution, behavior, diet, reproduction, predators, and conservation status in summary form.
- Facts & Details (Asian wildlife resource) – Covers behavior, social structure, territoriality, communication, reproduction, and survival strategies among peafowl.
- Mental Floss – Offers engaging tidbit such as sound production during courtship (low-frequency vibrations) and distinctions among male/female/juvenile terminology.
- Facts.net – Highlights conservation status summaries, captive breeding programs, and dust‑bathing behavior for feather maintenance.
- KidsKonnect – Great for younger audiences, with information on nesting, chicks, social behavior, lifespan, and vocal habits.
