Chinese Wall Fans :: Wisdom of the Peacocks

All things have a story...

The peacock is a much heralded creature in mythology, history and in fact. Since the beginnings of recorded history and surely before, the peacock, which belongs to the phasianidae family, has been domesticated and taken around the world. The grandiose peacock originally came from the jungles of India, and the Phoenicians of the ancient world brought it to Syria and Egypt. For some cultures, the peacock was used in their seals and coat of arms. Others just thought the bird a great delicacy, while still other cultures, such as the early Muslims, thought the peacock symbolized the cosmos. The allure of the peacock is certainly its radiant bluish-green/bluish-purple feathers. The feathers contain “eyes” that create a genuinely striking look.

Some of the world's early kings were so taken by the peacock they brought the bird to their gardens to display as breathing, walking landscapes. The beautiful feathers of the peacock shimmer under the sun, giving the bird a majestic and almost magical appearance.

There are many interesting legends that relate to the peacock. The Chinese believed that a girl who looked at a peacock would become pregnant and therefore equated the bird with fertility. Kuan-Yin, the popular Chinese goddess was said to wear peacock feathers. In Indian culture, Saravati, a goddess, was said to ride on the back of a peacock. The peacock is also strongly associated with Krishna, perhaps the most important Indian god. Krisha is said to have worn peacock feathers in his hair. The peacock has been revered in India for nearly 4,000 years, and not itout practical cause--peacocks in India often inhabit temples because they eat snakes making the land safe to walk on. The Egyptians believed the peacock – and the phoenix for that matter – to be symbolic of resurrection and life after death.

In biblical writings, legend has it that King Solomon’s fleet brought peacocks to the land of Jerusalem. Whether any of these legends are actually true, one thing is undeniable, and that is that the peacock is truly one of the most magnificent and beautiful creatures on earth. Perhaps that’s the true reason why the peacock has played such a prominent role in so many cultures and countries throughout the world.