The Peacock in Indian Legends

India’s national bird, the peacock, is woven into the country’s cultural fabric, a symbol of beauty, love and fertility.

Legend has it that the peacock, originally a plain, brown bird, spread his tail to hide the god Indra from the demon king Ravana. To show his gratitude, Indra bestowed him with brilliant plumage. In folklore, the “eyes” of the peacock’s tail are said to be the tears of the sun-god’s daughter, who married the peacock for his beauty but found him to be a vain, shallow husband.

In Hinduism, the peacock is the divine vehicle of Skanda, younger son of Shiva and Parvati. A single peacock feather is the distinctive headgear of Lord Krishna, the divine lover.

After the long, hot Indian summer, dark rain clouds, coinciding with the cries of the peacock, gladden the heart of millions. The peacock’s monsoon mating ritual, of spreading out its fan-shaped tail inspired the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa who immortalized its beauty in his classic love poem, Meghaduta,

In literature, miniature painting, dance and music, the peacock symbolizes erotic love as well as the pain of separation. At times, the bird represents the absent lover for whom the nayika or heroine pines.  The Kamasutra recommends that a man wishing to attract a potential lover should wrap a peacock bone in gold and tie it to his right arm!

The bird’s graceful form is celebrated in innumerable forms by Indian craftsmen. Eighteenth century Nawabs had pleasure boats designed in the shape of a peacock! South Indian brass lamps typically have a peacock carving in the centre. Peacock motifs are found in traditional textiles all over India, from the striking embroidery of Saurashtra and Kathiawar in western India to the zari or gold thread embroidered Kanjeevaram silks of Tamil Nadu and colorful Kantha folk art of West Bengal.

Pictured above: Hand Painted Decorative Peacock by Cultural Elements