Peacocks in Indian Mythology and Art: Symbolism and Iconography

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By Salini Vineeth

  • India
  • Art
  • Mythology

    • Table of Content

    In Indian culture, the peacock is often considered the epitome of beauty and grace. Its iridescent feathers and graceful dance have always been alluring to Indian artists. The peacock, the national bird of India, also has great mythological and cultural significance. In Hindu mythology, the peacock serves as the vehicle of many Gods and is a symbol of prosperity and opulence. Many tribal cultures consider the peacock to be a divine bird.

    Due to its cultural and mythological significance, the peacock is often used in Indian art as a symbol of beauty, grace, and divinity. Peacock symbolism and iconography have evolved over the years. Each artist has a unique style of rendering a peacock on canvas, resulting in a rich collection of peacock artworks. 

    Let’s explore the role of peacocks in mythology and tribal cultures, as well as the symbolism of peacocks in Indian art.

     

    Peacock in Gond by Kailash Pradhan

    Peacock in Hindu Mythology

    Hindu mythology considers the peacock as a divine bird which is created from the feather of Garuda, the mythical bird. There are several references to peacocks in Hindu mythology, starting from an interesting origin story.

     

    Peacocks in Madhubani by Ambika Devi

    The Origin Story of Peacock in Mythology

    According to a story in Uttara Ramayana, the peacock was once a bird with dull feathers. During a battle between Indra and Ravana, the peacock spread its feathers, providing a cover for Indra to hide from Ravana. In return, Indra blessed the peacock with its beautiful plumage that has ‘thousand eyes.’ In an alternate story, Indra was once cursed by the great sage Gautama and developed a thousand ulcers all over his body. To escape humiliation, Indra prayed to Surya, the sun God and transformed himself into a peacock with a thousand eyes on its feathers. 

     

    Peacock in Zardozi by Md. Bilal

    Peacock’s Association with Hindu Gods

    In Hindy mythology, the peacock is the vehicle of many Gods. A peacock named Paravani is the vehicle of Karthikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati. Brahma, the God of creation, is also often depicted as seated on a peacock. Kama, the God of love, also has a peacock as his vehicle. 

     

    Golden Peacock, Tanjore Painting by Sanjay Tandekar

     

    Many Hindu Gods and Goddesses are closely associated with the peacock. The most significant association is between Shri Krishna and the peacock. Krishna is most often depicted as wearing a peacock turban or a peacock feather in his hair. The association of Krishna with peacock feathers is so prominent that sometimes, artists use peacock feathers as a symbol of Krishna. 

    There is a story behind how Krishna came to be fond of peacock feathers. Once, Krishna played his flute so beautifully that all the peacocks in Vrindavan started dancing. As they danced, they shed their beautiful feathers. The chief of peacocks offered these feathers as a gift to Krishna, and he accepted it happily and started wearing them in his crown. 

     

    The Peacock Kerala Mural Painting by Adarsh

     

    Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom, is often featured with a peacock named Chitramekhala. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is also often depicted as flanked by peacocks. 

    Many Indians keep peacock feathers in their homes to attract prosperity. Peacocks are known for their aggressive nature and loud war-cry-like crowing calls, so they’re considered powerful birds that can offer protection.  It’s the vehicle of Karthikeya, the God of war, and thus considered a courageous bird that can protect people from harm. So, some people keep peacock feathers in their houses to destroy negative energy. 

     

    A Dazzling Peacock in Miniature Painting by Mohan Prajapati

    Peacock as a Symbol of Eternal Time

    In Hindu mythology, snakes symbolise the cyclic nature of time. Peacocks attack and eat snakes and are believed to have the power to transcend time. Some Indian tribes associate peacocks with their funeral rituals, believing that they help the soul break the cycle of life and death. 

     

    A Peacock, Bhil Art by Geeta Bariya

    Peacock in Indian Tribal Culture and Art

    Many Indian tribes consider the peacock as a sacred bird. They extensively use peacock feathers in their traditional attires, like headgear and clothing. Many ancient tribes believe in the healing power of peacock feathers and the peacock’s ability to defy time. 

     

    A Colorful Peacock in Madhubani By Priti Karn

     

    The Santhal tribe believes that they are the descendants of the peacock God Moreko. Hence, peacocks are sacred to the Santhal tribe. The Gond tribe also considers peacocks as sacred birds. During the religious rituals certain Gond groups perform a peacock dance to please their deities. 

     

    Peacock in Gond by Kailash Pradhan

     

    The peacock symbol is an important part of the funeral rituals of the Maria tribe, a subgroup of Gond. During their funeral rituals, a totem with peacock feathers is placed near the grave. It’s believed that the peacock, which has the ability to transcend time, will help the soul escape the cycle of birth and death. The Warli and Bhil tribes also consider the peacock as a sacred bird. People from certain tribes don’t step on peacock tracks and conduct religious rituals around these tracks.

     

    A Peacock, Warli Art by Dilip Bahotha

     

    There are many origin stories of peacocks among Indian tribes

    Tribal Myths About Peacock’s Origin

    The Khond tribe from Odisha believe that the first peacock was created out of wax by their Goddess Nirantali. The Baigas believe that the peacock was created from the saliva of their ancestor Sanha Dano. The Khasi tribe believes that the peacock has iridescent feathers since the tears of their Sun Goddess, Ka Sngi, fell on it. 

     

    Allure of Peacock: Kalamkari Painting by Sudheer

     

    Peacocks are also featured extensively in Indian folklore. There is a famous Gujarati story about a queen who was infatuated with a beautiful peacock. The king becomes annoyed with the queen’s obsession and orders the peacock to be killed. The grief-stricken queen jumps into a funeral pyre and kills herself. This story shows how the peacock was a beloved bird in Indian culture. 

    Peacocks and Indian Dynasties

    Due to its beauty and elegance, many Indian dynasties considered peacocks as sacred birds and have created stunning pieces of art inspired by peacocks. The most important artefact would be the peacock throne of the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. Many Mughal miniature paintings depict peacocks as prominent icons of beauty. Certain Rajput clans wore peacock feathers in the crowns. 

     

    A Dancing Peacock in Miniature Painting by Mohan Prajapati

    Peacock as a Symbol of Nature and Harmony

    In many Indian art forms, peacock is often an important part of the nature scene. Be it the depiction of Vrindavan, the place where Krisha lived, or a Mughal garden, peacocks add to the aesthetics of the natural scene.

    Peacocks are also associated with rain. In India, people believe that peacocks have the power to foretell rain, and peacocks dancing in the rain is a favourite iconography of main Indian artists. Peacocks are also depicted as the guardians of nature. 

     

    Peacock in Sohrai by Manikchand Mahto

     

    The peacock is one of the most revered and adored birds in the Indian subcontinent, which has a profound impact on India’s culture, art, literature and architecture. Across India, tribes worship and believe in the healing power of peacocks. The beautiful peacock has also inspired many artists to create stunning pieces of work. 


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