Peacocks are majestic birds because of their vivid feather colors. When the feather spreads, spectators are awed by its beauty. Aside from what the eyes can see, there are a lot of stories behind this marvelous feather pattern.
Even so, some people can’t help but decorate their house with peacock feathers. If you’re one of them, you should read the content of this article.
Is it bad luck to have peacock feathers in the house? It depends on where a person comes from and his or her beliefs. Keeping peacock feathers in your house is bad luck in the West. On the contrary, it brings good luck in the East.
According to the University of Southern California, it’s a Western belief that a peacock feather is viewed as a sign of bad luck even though the origin is not determined.
In Asian Studies of East Carolina University, a peacock is a revered bird in India since it brings many benefits. One of them is the belief that it can cure asthma and give barren individuals a chance to bear offspring.
Superstitious beliefs, religions, and myths have something to do with people’s points of view about keeping peacock feathers at home. To find out about them, spare some time reading this article.
What Is the Feather Peacock Called?
The peacock’s tail with 175 feathers is called a train. In addition, the feather’s ends are called eyespots.
What Do Peacock Feathers Represent?
Apart from signifying color and beauty, peacock feathers can represent several admired human traits. You’ll find in the records of history, legend, lore, and myth that they symbolize:
- Guidance
- Holiness
- Nobility
- Protection
- Watchfulness
Peacock feathers also represent:
- Glory
- Incorruptibility
- Immortality
- Awakening
- Refinement
- Royalty
- Spirituality
- Vision
Keeping Peacock Feathers at Home
In a study, the differences in language, custom, habit, culture, and religion are reasons for contradictory views of the people from different parts of the world. In Chinese culture, the beautiful feathers of peacocks mean beauty and luck.
So, keeping peacock feathers at home is a way to attract good luck in the East. In Hinduism, a religion that originated in India, this bird is mystical and valuable.
On the other hand, people in the West find the display of haughtiness from peacocks. Thus, the idiom ‘as proud as a peacock’ was created.
Why It’s Bad Luck in the West?
Peacock feathers bring bad luck for the people in the West because of history. The reason behind this belief is not appealing at all since it’s not from a reliable source. Mongols conquered Eastern Europe in the earliest times.
During the war, Mongol soldiers wore peacock feathers. This happening in the past started the idea that peacock feathers are bad luck in the West.
Moreover, it has become a superstition that using peacock feathers is bad luck. The catastrophic events that happened in theaters were pinned to the peacock feathers added to props and costumes.
Why It’s Good Luck in the East?
Peacock feathers are believed to represent good luck in eastern countries such as China, India, and Japan. Almost everything about peacocks is beneficial in these parts of the world. There’s even a study that features the significance of peacock feathers.
A peacock is not only the national bird of India, but the people also believe that it brings prosperity when placed inside the house.
In Hinduism, this bird was born through a single feather of a mythological bird called Garuda. Hence, it takes part in the succession of Hindu cosmogony.
People in China view peacock feathers as sacred because the many-hued plume has spiritual healing that delivers balance and harmony. Furthermore, they believe that peacocks are a symbol of the renewal of immortality as their feathers shed off annually.
Based on Buddhism, a religion that is formed in the East, the eyespots at the end of the peacock’s tail are a representation of openness and vision. This reason is connected to lucid dreams that imply a person’s future.
Where Should We Keep Peacock Feather As For Vastu?
According to Vastu, it’s favorable to keep peacock feathers at home. To be specific, placing these feathers next to the place where your money will dissolve any financial trouble.
The same effect comes when you put peacock feathers in a frame. Doing so will emanate happiness and prosperity in the household.
When there’s tension between a married couple, a photo of a peacock feather should be displayed in the bedroom.
What Does the Peacock Mean in Christianity?
Peacocks are shown in many Christian mosaics and paintings made in ancient times. This bird is even included in the Easter season as the eyespot is a depiction of an all-knowing God who sees everything.
The bird’s stunning tail signifies the cosmos, together with the sun, moon, and stars.
Since Christians have adapted the Babylonian and Persian symbolism, peacocks are linked with the Tree of Life and Paradise. You will see pictures of a peacock next to the Tree of Life.
Ashkenazi Jews believe that a golden peacock is an animal of creativity and joy. They turn its feather into a quill as a metaphor for the inspiration needed by a writer.
Peacock Feather Feng Shui Meaning
The directives of Feng Shui are through arranging things inside the house to harness forces of energy while incorporating balance. Single items like a peacock feather are used.
In this philosophy, it’s advised to place the peacock feather at the doorway as the eyespot is an equivalent of vision.
There are several peacock feather patterns, so there are also many implications in the Feng Shui context. They can either be a symbol of beauty, good luck, protection, wealth, or wisdom.
White Peacock Symbolism
Not only do blue and green peacocks look spectacular. You would know once you see a white peacock though it’s rare. This species stands for cleansing, divinity, a higher state of consciousness, holiness, and purity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do You Do With Peacock Feathers?
Decoration
Just placing peacock feathers in a small or large vase is a simple way of making a nice decoration. You may insert the feathers on the tie-backs of the curtains or glue them on the top of the curtain. These procedures will transform a dull room into a place with an interesting atmosphere.
Embellishment
You can embellish your clothing with peacock feathers. Some work needs to be done like trimming and cutting, then gluing the feather on sweaters, jackets, jeans, old hats, and wallets.
Framed Art
When framing peacock feathers, you can do it yourself by buying an inexpensive but nice frame instead of hiring someone. After hanging it on the wall, it has a fabulous effect on a room.
Gift Wrap
You can add a peacock feather on a gift wrap to add style. It’s best to use heavy-duty wrapping paper. You may add beads for some sparkles.
What Is a Peacock Feather Made Of?
Peacock feather is made of transparent protein fibers that gain their colors from the nanoscale structures found on the surface. A study confirmed that color variations are brought by structural color and strong coupling which means the interaction of intrinsic absorption.
Are Peacocks Killed for Their Feathers?
Even though there’s a demand, peacocks are not killed for their feathers. These birds shed off 150 to 200 feathers a year. Anyway, humans can’t catch and just snap off their feathers.
How Long Is a Peacock Feather?
The peacock feather is 5 feet long, which is longer than its body.
Can You Sell Peacock Feather?
You can sell peacock feathers online or to jewelers and florists. However, there are restrictions in some countries. Take India as an example where it’s required to have a wildlife permit when trading peacock feathers. The feathers must be certified as naturally shed ones.
How Much Are Real Peacock Feathers Worth?
The average worth of real peacock feathers is from $2 to $70 per pack as it depends on different types of items. Here’s a guide:
| Type Price | Range |
| Plumage | $8 – $25 a piece |
| Flue | $25 – $110 per yard |
| Rounds | $35 – $45 per dozen |
| Swords | $25 – $65 per 100 pieces |
What Is the Difference Between Peafowl and Peacock?
There’s no difference between peafowl and peacock as they refer to the large bird species that fly. It’s just about terms. A male peafowl is called a peacock, while the female is called a peahen.
It’s only the peacock or the male peafowl that has a tail that can spread into a very amusing fan.
How Can You Tell if a Peacock Feather Is Real?
Peacock feathers are real most of the time because it’s not cheap to produce decent replicas. So, you’ll rarely come across fake feathers.
Many people may even think they bought the fake ones, but truthfully, they have the real feather.
The replicas of peacock feathers are made of paper or wood in most cases. With these materials, it would be impossible to make real-looking feathers. You can test to prove whether the peacock feather that you have is real or fake.
Cut some hair from the vane’s bottom and place them on a fireproof surface and light it up. If it’s made of paper, the burning process is much quicker than the real peacock feather.
You may also try to use it on a cat that loves the feather. If the animal won’t respond, it’s fake.
Summary
There are various beliefs and perspectives about keeping or using peacock feathers at home. No matter what, it can’t be denied that these fathers are attractive.
If you don’t mind beliefs and superstitions, these feathers will add style and glamor to your house and other stuff. Just make sure you buy them from sellers who obtained them naturally.
It’s a good thing that replicas are not common, so you have a chance to get the real ones.
Related: How Much Does a Peacock Cost? | Are They Expensive?
List of Sources
Story of the Block: Punam Madhok
A Comparison of Animal Words in English and Chinese Culture
Peacock the Mystic Bird of Hinduism – Featuring the Significance of Peacock Feather in Hinduism