Peacock feathers

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bharat9

@bharat9

Dazzler

Posted: 15 years ago

Hi

I hope that everyone is doing fine.
I'm back and this time with a question. Thought I might get the answer from you and here!!!!!!

Is it true that one should not keep the peacock feathers at home as they bring bad luck??! What happens if anyone does? We often see peacock feathers in temples and i guess that its okay for them to be there. But there are myths about keeping them at home, even keeping a single small feather. Is it okay to keep a peacock feather at home either in the home-temple or next to a picture of Lord Krishna?

In Greek myths and ancient Egyptian history they are thought to bring bad luck to home with their 'evil eye'. But what about in the Indian myths/history?

I hope that i'll get some response. Thank you very much.

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Vrinda....

@-Vrinda-

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 15 years ago

soory bharath i dont know about it

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bharat9

@bharat9

Dazzler

Posted: 15 years ago

Originally posted by: vrinda2010
soory bharath i dont know about it

Its okay Vrinda. Hopefully someone else might know anything and will reply! 😊

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Vibhishna

@Vibhishna

Dazzler

+ 3

Posted: 15 years ago

I don't know much but here's what I do know . . .

This is again one of the myths or superstitions - real reason we can only guess.

As far as I know peacock feathers were not considered bad luck until the modern times.

There were many rich households and palaces those days which used peacock feathers as decoration or fans. Even Lord Krishna used it to decorate his crown. Peacock feathers were not considered bad luck those days . . .

I do not know if the peacock feathers have any purpose in any religious rituals. The peacock is well known as the 'vahana' of Lord Muruga (Lord Skanda).

Also there is one peculiar story (the origin I do not know) that peacock has a thousand eyes (referring to its feathers) and it brings an evil eye to the home when brought inside. Interestingly, it wasn't the peacock (which bore the eye) that was considered an ill omen but only its feathers. Also another story - Lord Indra when he transforms into a creature of the Earth transforms into a peacock. Probably it refers to the tale of Ahalya and Lord Indra after which he ended up with a thousand eyes. But so far I haven't heard of a story where he transforms into a peacock.

There are some countries which have been considering the peacock an ill omen and believe keeping peacock feathers at home brings bad luck.

I can think of two reasons for the rise of this sudden superstition -

Since peacocks were hunted for feathers, (This was probably the time when hunting did not matter as long as the hunters and poachers got what the want even though killing the animal or bird was totally unnecessary.) this rumour/myth/superstition could have been a step taken to prevent the extinction of our national bird. No one is going to be interested in peacock feathers if even one person says its unlucky. So, this myth could have saved our national bird.

Another reason for this myth could be that the world has shrunk - with technology and travelling much better than those years the cultures of the world has mixed so much that this myth could have come from the countries that consider the peacock feathers unlucky and got mixed up with ours.

Well, that's it from my side. I hope it does clear your doubt bharat9.

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bharat9

@bharat9

Dazzler

Posted: 15 years ago

Originally posted by: Vibhishna
I don't know much but here's what I do know . . .

This is again one of the myths or superstitions - real reason we can only guess.

As far as I know peacock feathers were not considered bad luck until the modern times.

There were many rich households and palaces those days which used peacock feathers as decoration or fans. Even Lord Krishna used it to decorate his crown. Peacock feathers were not considered bad luck those days . . .

I do not know if the peacock feathers have any purpose in any religious rituals. The peacock is well known as the 'vahana' of Lord Muruga (Lord Skanda).

Also there is one peculiar story (the origin I do not know) that peacock has a thousand eyes (referring to its feathers) and it brings an evil eye to the home when brought inside. Interestingly, it wasn't the peacock (which bore the eye) that was considered an ill omen but only its feathers. Also another story - Lord Indra when he transforms into a creature of the Earth transforms into a peacock. Probably it refers to the tale of Ahalya and Lord Indra after which he ended up with a thousand eyes. But so far I haven't heard of a story where he transforms into a peacock.

There are some countries which have been considering the peacock an ill omen and believe keeping peacock feathers at home brings bad luck.

I can think of two reasons for the rise of this sudden superstition -

Since peacocks were hunted for feathers, (This was probably the time when hunting did not matter as long as the hunters and poachers got what the want even though killing the animal or bird was totally unnecessary.) this rumour/myth/superstition could have been a step taken to prevent the extinction of our national bird. No one is going to be interested in peacock feathers if even one person says its unlucky. So, this myth could have saved our national bird.

Another reason for this myth could be that the world has shrunk - with technology and travelling much better than those years the cultures of the world has mixed so much that this myth could have come from the countries that consider the peacock feathers unlucky and got mixed up with ours.

Well, that's it from my side. I hope it does clear your doubt bharat9.

Hey Vibs! How u? Its been ages since we last communicated or discussed a topic!!!

Thank you so much for providing the useful info. Till now I never thought of peacock feathers being ill omen but then since I've been hearing the same story line (they bring bad luck) i thought that its time to find out the real reason/answer.

In many households in western countries ppl still keep them for decorative purposes. Is this the same in India? I have always thought of this question but now after reading your post I doubt it that ppl in india keep them at home!

They are such lovely birds and yes humans should not hunt them just for feathers.

thanks again for the useful info.

Edited by bharat9 - 15 years ago

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Khalrika

@Khalrika

Voyager

Posted: 15 years ago

Thnx Vibs, for the info. Thnx Bharat for the question. I did not know all this. Great discussion! I miss those; I wish Sagars will start with Mahabharat in a big way. It will be good to know something about Dwapara yug. The mention of peacock feathers got me thinking.

I did have a question. Birds do shed their feathers. Is is ok to keep the feathers that birds drop naturally?

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bharat9

@bharat9

Dazzler

Posted: 15 years ago

Originally posted by: Khalrika
Thnx Vibs, for the info. Thnx Bharat for the question. I did not know all this. Great discussion! I miss those; I wish Sagars will start with Mahabharat in a big way. It will be good to know something about Dwapara yug. The mention of peacock feathers got me thinking.

I did have a question. Birds do shed their feathers. Is is ok to keep the feathers that birds drop naturally?

Hey Khalrika!

It is indeed a very good topic to discuss. Sadly, there is not a great reponse though maybe less and less people come to this forum now.....can only guess!

Yeah, we also hope that Sagars start with Mahabharat. It will so great to learn more about our culture esp new generation who didnt get the chance to watch the old Mahabharat! One thing is for sure and most of us are glad that Ekta stopped with her Kahani Hamare Mahabharat ki. Where did the story get up to anyway? Did she stop coz of TRPs or poor/bad response frm public?

There was a show on Colours, think it was called Jai Krishna or so, is that still airing? If not then why did they stop it? I was looking for that but couldnt find it.

Now to your question, im so sorry i dont know the answer to this. I shall ask someone.

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bharat9

@bharat9

Dazzler

Posted: 15 years ago

you will find more of the info in the following link:

http://www.khandro.net/animal_bird_peacock.htm

Edited by bharat9 - 15 years ago

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Vrish

@Vr15h

Stunner

+ 6

Posted: 15 years ago

Originally posted by: bharat9

Hey Vibs! How u? Its been ages since we last communicated or discussed a topic!!!

Thank you so much for providing the useful info. Till now I never thought of peacock feathers being ill omen but then since I've been hearing the same story line (they bring bad luck) i thought that its time to find out the real reason/answer.

In many households in western countries ppl still keep them for decorative purposes. Is this the same in India? I have always thought of this question but now after reading your post I doubt it that ppl in india keep them at home!

They are such lovely birds and yes humans should not hunt them just for feathers.

thanks again for the useful info.

Rimi

The first major mention of a peacock in the scriptures was when Simhamukha transformed himself into one after he was killed by Lord Kartikeya. He assumed the form of a peacock and became Kartikeya's vehicle, and also a cock banner, which Kartik used.

The next one, as Vibs mentioned, was Lord Krishna using it @ the peak of his crown. One thing that struck me about that - no ruler ever thought of emulating that lead - not Krishna's descendants - Vajra et al, Parikshit et al, nor any other rulers of the Chandravansh, let alone others.

I do think feathers are good, and if they are collected after they are shed, I guess it's okay, although I have no idea on whether the feathers are 'worn out', which would be why they were shed in the first place. Failing that, I'd think it's okay to trim their 'wings' to get the feathers, but going all the way to kill them is needless - it's not like seals & fur.

I've never heard of peacock feathers being unlucky.

Khalrika

Am not for the Sagars producing a Mahabharat - given what they did in the Uttarkand, swarna kamal & all.