The peacock inspires many a culture and many a story.
Peacocks have long inspired many cultures including the ancient civilizations of India, Greek, Iran and Egypt perhaps because of the beautiful plumage and colorful personality the male peacock displays. These beautiful birds have also earned a symbolic resurrection representation in the Christian faith and many ancient paintings and artworks displayed in Romanesque and Byzantine churches feature the peacock as a sign of immortality and later, as a sign of vanity. It is said that St. Augustine saw the peacock as possessing antiseptic properties while there is also a suggestion that the tail of the peacock with its ‘thousand eyes’ symbolizes omnipotence and often ascribed to the Archangel St. Michael. The peacock has also provided a form and basis for one of the most thought provoking poems written by the famous English poet and writer, William Blake, known as “Proverbs of Hell” which contained a reference that “The pride of the peacock is the glory of God.”
Hera, the wife of Zeus and Queen of the Gods, was noted to be symbolized with the peacock and it is said that her wagon is pulled by peacocks. Although the peacock remained unknown to the Greeks until the time of Alexander the Great, there is much imagery given to the use of the peacock in the historical perception given to Hera. The story goes that Hera caught her husband Zeus flaunting with a mistress called Io. In order to prevent Io from being spotted by Hera, Zeus quickly turned Io into a white heifer. Hera, being as cunning as she is, was not fooled and demanded the heifer as a present. Once in her possession, she placed the cow in the care of Argus, a giant with 100 eyes. Zeus became angry and ordered Hermes to kill Argus, Hera’s loyal servant. Hermes did this by putting the giant to sleep and then slew him. Hera, upon learning of his death, took the giant’s many eyes and placed them in the plumage of the peacock. Hence, the Greek legend for accounting the origin of the eyes found in the plumage of the peacock.
The beauty of the peacock has inspired its form on bookends as well.
Peacocks which were once admired from afar are becoming common place sights when one ventures into an aviary or zoo. Perhaps, their constant interaction with the human race has made them more adaptable to watching us close by but male peacocks can still exercise aggression when threatened and for no reason. Due to man’s interest in the peacock partly borne of fascination and part cultural, it isn’t little wonder why the peacock has been represented in many peacock art forms like peacock bookends, vases, pottery and of course, as lovely peacock statues and sculptures. These birds have also become iconic representations in the Asian cultures of Myanmar and India where they are also considered national symbols. While the peacock adds to so much fascination due to its good looks, there are also constant references to the manner in which they strut which has been attributed to vanity.
Written by Romilla D. for MyGardenGifts.com
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