The peacock is the national bird of India. The national bird of India is the peacock. Why? The white peacock symbolizes the souls scattered over the earth.

  • 21.05.2020

March 11th, 2013

Many believe that the peacock (lat. Pavo Linnaeus) is a truly special bird. However, this is not quite true. The results of research by zoologists have shown that the peacock has a lot in common with an ordinary chicken and belongs to the chicken order! The magnificent "tail" of the peacock is actually the feathers of the rump, while the tail itself consists of nondescript gray feathers.

These exotic birds are widespread in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and some other countries. They prefer to stay in the jungle at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level. Like the usual domestic chicken, the peacock is a ground bird and runs very well and makes its way through dense thickets.

At real peacocks(Pavo) the upper tail coverts are very strongly developed, which the male spreads in the form of a fan-shaped plume during displaying. The head of these birds is small, the neck is long. The male and female differ in plumage color and length of uppertail coverts. The sixth primary feather is longer than the others.

Common, or blue, peacock (Pavocristatus) very handsome. Its head, neck and forechest are purplish-blue with a golden or green tint. The back is green with a metallic sheen, blue strokes, brown spots and black feather edging; the loin and wing coverts are light rusty in color with black glossy transverse strokes, the tail is brown. The underside is black with grey-brown markings. The uppertail feathers are green with a bronze sheen and variegated rounded “ocellated” spots with a black spot in the center. The beak is pink, the legs are bluish-gray. The length of the male is 180-230 cm, the tail is 40-50 cm and the tail train is 140-160 cm.

The female has a strip near the eyes, the sides of the head and throat are white, the bottom of the neck, the upper back and chest are shiny, green, the rest of the upper body is earthy-brown with a light wavy pattern. On the head is a crest of brown feathers with a green sheen. The length of the female is 90-100, the tail is 32-37 cm. The common peacock (2 subspecies) is widespread in India and on the island of Sri Lanka. Subspecies black-winged peacock (Pavomuticus nigripennis) differs from the ordinary one in black shiny shoulders and wings with a bluish tint, and the female - in a lighter color of plumage; her back and neck are covered with brown and yellowish stains.

Or, here's an option:

Javanese peacock. Peacocks (Pavo Linnaeus, 1758) - genus large birds from the pheasant subfamily (lat. Phasianinae), the order of chickens (lat. Galliformes), other Russian names - blue-winged peacock, green peacock - one of two species of Asian peacocks that lives in Southeast Asia.

Javanese peacock. Peacocks (Pavo Linnaeus, 1758) - a genus of large birds from the pheasant subfamily (lat. Phasianinae), order of galliformes (lat. Galliformes), other Russian names - blue-winged peacock, green peacock - one of two species of Asian peacocks that lives in the South-East Asia.

Unlike the common peacock, the Javanese peacock is much larger and brighter in color, has metallic plumage and longer legs, neck and crest on the head. The peacock's elongated tail is flat, while most pheasants have roof-shaped ones.

Thanks to the magnificent, fan-shaped eyed “tail”, the peacock is known as the most beautiful bird among chickens.

A characteristic feature of the male peacock is the strong development of the upper tail coverts, usually mixed in society with the tail feathers or tail in the proper sense of the word.

There are two Asian species of peacocks, common and Javanese palin.

Although the ranges of the two Asian species (P. cristatus and P. muticus) do not overlap, hybrids between them often occur in captivity and are called Spalding - named after Keith Spalding, the first to cross cristatus and muticus . The offspring from these crosses are completely fertile.

Common, or Indian, or crested, peacock (Pavo cristatus Linnaeus 1758) is the most numerous species of peacocks. It is a monotypic species, that is, it is not divided into subspecies, but it has a number of color variations (mutations). Domesticated by man.

Javanese peacock, or gigantic, the peacock is the largest in the joy of chicken. In appearance, it resembles an ordinary peacock, but larger than it, in addition, it also differs in that its neck and chest are painted in greenish colors, and the crest on its head does not fan out - it consists of feathers pressed against each other and forming a dense high beam. The plume is similar to that of common peacocks. The females of these two species are very similar.

Javanese peacock lives in Southeast Asia, from Thailand and the Malay Peninsula to Java.

Peacocks raised in captivity become completely tame. They are kept by some Vietnamese bird lovers at home in the courtyard. Unlike the common peacock, the Javanese peacock is more aggressive towards its close and distant relatives, so males have to be kept in separate rooms for most of the year.

Females get along well with other pheasant birds. Due to the high aggressiveness of males, breeding of this species in captivity also becomes problematic. Protecting females, males sometimes jump on people, and you have to be careful with them, as they sometimes inflict injuries with their sharp spurs. The male with clipped wings "owns" a not so vast territory, but even with this "limitation" they make jumps of more than 1.8 m in height. Only large gardens or parks are really suitable for keeping these birds.

During the mating season, birds are placed in spacious enclosures with various shelters for females. The clutch is usually six eggs, the duration of incubation is 28 days. Young peacocks develop slowly and move on to an independent life at the age of at least eight weeks.

Male length 180-300 cm, wings 46-54 cm, tail 40-47 cm, train 140-160 cm. It weighs up to 5 kg.

The head and upper part of the neck are brownish-green. The crest consists of feathers with wider webs. The ocular region is bluish-gray in color.

The feathers of the lower part of the neck are green with golden-green borders and have a scaly pattern, the chest and upper back are bluish-green with reddish and yellow spots; the underside of the back is copper-bronze with brown markings, the shoulders and wings are dark green, the primary feathers are brown with black and gray spots on the outer side of the fan.

The tail feathers are light chestnut, and the highly elongated coverts are as bright and similar in color as those of the common peacock, but with a metallic copper-red tinge. The beak is black, the legs are gray.

The female differs little in color from the male, but smaller in size.

indian peacock(Pavo cristatus Linnaeus 1758) is the most numerous species of peacock. It is a monotypic species, that is, it is not divided into subspecies, but it has a number of color variations (mutations). The national bird of India is indian peacock(Pavo cristatus) is a brightly colored swan-sized bird with a fan-shaped tuft of feathers on its head, white spots under the eyes, and a long, thin neck. Chest and neck Indian peacock are covered with brilliant blue feathers, and the magnificent tail consists of long bronze-green feathers, of which there are about 200. Domesticated by man.

Body length of a common peacock ( Indian) 100-125 cm, tail 40-50 cm, elongated, decorated with "eyes" feathers of the uppertail 120-160 cm. The male weighs 4-4, 25 kg. The head, neck and part of the chest are blue, the back is green, the bottom of the body is black. The female is smaller, more modestly colored and lacks elongated uppertail feathers.

Lives in large or small flocks. It feeds mainly on plant foods, partly on animals (insects, mollusks, small vertebrates). Hardy and unpretentious in content. Life expectancy is about 20 years.

Polygamous bird: the male lives with a group of 3-5 females. Reaches sexual maturity at two to three years. The breeding season is from April to September.

Lays 4-10 eggs directly on the ground, in captivity makes up to three clutches per year. The egg incubation period is 28 days.

A young male of an ordinary (Indian) peacock from one to 1.5 years old wears an outfit similar to that of a female, and typical adult feathers fully develop in him only at the age of three years.

Widely distributed in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka at altitudes up to 2000 m above sea level, lives in the jungle and woodlands, on cultivated lands and near villages, preferring thickets of bushes, forest clearings and river banks.

By the beginning of the 20th century, peacocks were kept relatively rarely to decorate bird yards and parks, since it was believed that their unpleasant voice and the damage they caused in gardens did not correspond to the pleasure delivered by its sight. It is now often kept as an ornamental bird; in India - in a semi-domestic state.

In captivity, the common peacock is not particularly prolific, always retains a certain amount of independence, does not get along well with the rest. poultry, but perfectly withstands even quite severe cold, suffering little from snow.

In India, hunting for peacocks is prohibited by law, but poachers hunt them for their beautiful feathers, as well as meat, which is mixed with chicken or turkey when sold.

white peacock. White peacock, or Indian peacock (Pavo cristatus Linnaeus 1758) is the most numerous species of peacocks. It is a monotypic species, that is, it is not divided into subspecies, but it has a number of color variations (mutations). Domesticated by man.

This variety of common peacock lives in southern India and Sri Lanka, has a brilliant white plumage with various shades and points on the wings; tail feathers are also completely white with large white spots separated by shade at the ends. The beak and legs of a white peacock are reddish. white peacock- like a bride who "acts like a peahen." Birds of this color have a very special charm: blue "eyes" in pure white plumage.

Characteristic of the male white peacock is a strong development of upper covert feathers

The food of peacocks consists of seeds, tender shoots of plants and invertebrates.. They willingly feed on the fields with seedlings of cultivated cereals, and when the berries ripen, they eat them in large quantities. Peacocks are able to catch and eat snakes or swallow small rodents.

These birds breed at different times depending on the geographical location of the area. In the south, the nesting season begins at the end of the rainy period, and in the north it lasts from April to July. Males protect a nesting area up to 1 ha, but females do not recognize its boundaries. The male has up to 3-5 females, which, after mating, leave him, arrange a nest under a bush or near uprooted tree roots and lay 5-7 large yellowish-white eggs. The basis of marital relations among peacocks is mating, harems break up after mating, and males do not participate in incubation and rearing of chicks.

Peacocks belong to one of the most beautiful and largest birds, so people paid attention to them in ancient times. Already in the parks of the Roman Caesars, they were kept as decorative birds, and meat seasoned with various spices was served on the table during the feast. And at present, peacocks are kept in parks and gardens as decorative birds.

Peacocks make loud, harsh calls that not everyone can bear.. Therefore, despite the beauty, these birds are rarely kept at home, but still lovers living in the southern regions of our country, especially in the Caucasus, give birth to peacocks.

Despite the prescription of domestication, the peacock is almost no different from its ancestors. In addition to birds with the usual color, there are only varieties with pure white plumage or with brown spots scattered over a white background with blue and purple edging. Sometimes such birds can be found in some areas and in the wild.

Peacocks easily tolerate acclimatization, are unpretentious to the conditions of detention, and are insensitive to rain and cold. In the south of our country, both in winter and in summer, they can spend the night on a tree or perch in the open. Only in especially severe winters they need to be kept in an insulated barn, however, in winter during the daytime, birds can be let out for a walk. Hobbyists need to know that peacocks can't get along with pheasants, domestic chickens and other chickens and can beat them to death.

Adult peacocks should be fed the same as domestic chickens. They willingly eat grain, root crops, meat, bread and other food. To keep birds, specially equipped enclosures are needed, in which high poles (up to 2-3 m) should be installed or trees should be planted. It is good to arrange a roof over the poles so that the birds can hide from rain and sun.

Domestic peacocks are easy to breed, but at the same time, one male should not have more than 3-4 females. Females start laying, depending on the weather, from April or May until the end of July. If eggs are taken all the time, up to 30 eggs can be collected from one female. In order for them to rush in one place, and not scatter eggs around the aviary, you need to build a nest in a secluded place - put a basket or box, and cover the bottom with straw.

Sometimes the female lays an egg while sitting on a perch, and it falls to the ground and breaks. In such cases, a thick layer of sawdust or sand is poured under the perch, but such eggs are unsuitable for hatching chicks (they can only be used for food).

For incubation, eggs should be placed under turkeys or chickens.. Female peacocks usually do not incubate well, but if one of them brought out the chicks, she warms them, looks for food for them and sleeps with them on a bough of a tree or perch. In cold rainy weather, they climb under her plumage so that only heads on a long neck peek out from there.

Immediately after hatching, the chicks are very tender: they are afraid of cold, dampness, rain and bright sun, so their care should be more thorough than for ordinary pheasant chicks. You need to feed the peacocks on the very first day of their life, as soon as they dry under the hen. The food for chicks is the same as for pheasants or chickens of domestic chickens, but with the addition of small mealworms and fresh herbs at first. As the chicks grow up, they are given millet grains, crushed wheat, barley, and oatmeal. At the age of 2 months. they already eat the same as adult peacocks, love berries and sweet fruits, consume animal feed: leftover meat, meat powder, curdled milk, insects and their larvae. Meat powder is given to them mixed with bread crumbs, pounded with hard-boiled eggs and flour, diluted with water. It is also very good to give boiled rice or millet porridge mixed with finely chopped onions or nettles.

A male peacock is a decoration of a park or home yard. Dressed in luxurious multi-colored plumage, he proudly walks in front of the females, shakes and moves his feathers, makes a slight rustle, spreads the elongated feathers of the upper tail like a fan. Mating postures and dances during the current last 15-20 minutes, in the rest of the year they are expressed in the same, but more short-term postures. The intensity of mating behavior is affected by the state of the weather: males are especially willing to lek in cool weather.

In September, peacocks molt. The male loses almost all the feathers of the rump, but still remains very beautiful. He keeps himself at this time more calmly.

PEACOCK - a symbol of pride, an emblem of beauty and immortality. In many countries, the peacock was considered a royal bird, and Hindus revere it as sacred. In the homeland of the peacock, in South Asia, it is highly valued for the fact that it warns of the approach of tigers, snakes and thunderstorms. It is believed that due to the beauty of its plumage, the peacock is able to "process" the poison of the snake struck by it.

In Russia, a completely different attitude has developed towards peacocks due to the fact that only rich people could breed them. Therefore, only in the Russian mind did the peacock become a symbol of arrogance and arrogance. The expression "spread its tail like a peacock" acquired the meaning of not only courtship, but also vanity, feigned pride.

According to Greek myth, the peacock was associated with the wife of Zeus, Hera. When Hermes killed the hundred-eyed Argos by lulling him to sleep by playing the flute, Hera revived him by transferring the eyes of Argos to the plumage of a peacock. Among the Romans, the peacock became an attribute of Juno, for which the Amoretti, winged babies, collected "eyes" from its tail. On Roman coins, the peacock was depicted as a sign of the divinity of the daughters of the emperor.

In early Christianity, the image of a peacock was associated with the symbolism of the sun and began to be perceived as a symbol of immortality, like a turtle in the East, and the beauty of an imperishable soul. In the Christian tradition, the "eyes" of the peacock sometimes symbolize the "all-seeing" Church. Since this bird periodically renews its plumage, it became a symbol of immortality, as well as resurrection, since there was a belief that its flesh did not rot, even after lying in the ground for three days. The peacock is also an attribute of the Christian Great Martyr Barbara (III century) and the allegory of Pride.

Peacock- the solar bird of India, a symbol of many gods, in particular the Buddha. At the level of Eastern emblematics, a peacock tail fan was considered a symbol of suffering and was an attribute of Avalokiteshvara, one of the main bodhisattvas of the Buddhist tradition. In China, during the Ming Dynasty, such a fan was awarded for high merit in the service of the emperor. In Islam, the "eye" of the peacock is associated with the "eye of the heart" and therefore with inner vision. The Indian god of love, Kama, was often depicted sitting on a peacock, which symbolizes passionate desires.

This idea of ​​passion finds its echo in the world of butterflies, where a male night peacock moth can scent a female several kilometers away. The pattern of his wings, reminiscent of numerous eyes, was perceived in Indian mythology as a picture of the starry sky. The symbolism of two peacocks on both sides of the cosmic tree came from ancient Persia to the Muslims, and from them to the West and means the psychic duality of a person who draws his strength from the principle of unity.

The tail of a peacock, including all the colors of the rainbow, was perceived as a universal symbol. For example, in Islam, the tail of a peacock, revealed in all its beauty, meant either the universe, or the full moon or the sun at its zenith. The peacock's tail appears in the 84th emblem of Bosch's "Symbolic Art" as an idea of ​​the whole and a sign of the union of all colors.

In alchemy, the "peacock's tail" is the name of the second stage " great work", when the "black of black" is covered with all the colors of the rainbow. In the alternation of the time of day, the peacock corresponds to twilight. With a snake in its beak, it signifies the victory of light over darkness.

In some countries, the peacock is considered a harbinger of trouble. Its feathers are called "the eyes of the devil" and "warn" of the appearance of a traitor. The most common superstition in England is that peacock feathers should not be kept at home: a catastrophe may befall the owner or his daughters will not marry. It is believed that the presence of a peacock on the stage can lead to the failure of the play. Perhaps all these prejudices are explained by the fact that the ever-open "eye" in the peacock feather is associated with the evil eye and, therefore, with bad luck.

In heraldry, the peacock was depicted with loose plumage, which in the language of heraldry, "blazon", was called "a peacock in its pride."

The peacock's tail, in particular, appears in the eighty-fourth emblem of Bosch's "Symbolic Art" as a symbol of the mixture of all colors, as well as the idea of ​​the whole. This explains why in Christian art it acts as a symbol of immortality and the incorruptible soul.

In Hindu mythology, the pattern of its wings, resembling countless eyes, is said to represent the starry sky.

A solar symbol associated with the cult of the tree and the Sun, as well as with the peon. Symbolizes immortality, longevity, love. A natural symbol of the stars in the sky and, as a result, ascension to Heaven and immortality. Associated with the storm, as he becomes restless before the rain, and his dance during the rain reflects the symbolism of the spiral. Loquacity, swagger, and vanity are relatively late connotations. Buddhism: compassion and vigilance. A fan of peacock feathers is an attribute of Avalokiteshvara, who is also identified with Kwan-yin and Amitabha, as a symbol of compassion. China: dignity, high rank, beauty. Attribute of Kuan-yin and Si Wan-Mu. The peacock feather was awarded upon receiving a high rank for merit and meant the favor of the emperor. Emblem of the Ming dynasty.

Christianity: immortality, resurrection, the soul glorified before the Lord, as the peacock renews its plumage, and its meat was considered incorruptible. "One Hundred Eyes" of the All-Seeing Church. It also symbolizes saints, since its tail resembles a halo. A peacock sitting on a sphere or power personified the ability to rise above worldly things. His pen is the emblem of Saint Barbara.

However, on the other hand, the Christian doctrine of a humble life led to the fact that the image of the peacock began to be identified with the sins of pride, luxury and vanity, therefore, in Western art, the peacock is most often the personification of Pride. In Russia, there was such an attitude towards peacocks: since only a very wealthy person could afford to breed these rare birds, all the qualities that were hated in the master were transferred to the "master's bird". Therefore, in Russia, the peacock is an emblem of arrogance, complacency and arrogance.

Ancient Greece: solar symbol, symbol of the bird-god Phaon "shaking". Initially - an attribute of Pan, then borrowed by the Hero as a symbol of the starry vault. The eyes of Argus were scattered by Hera over his tail. Hinduism: sometimes - the mount of Brahma; the peacock is also ridden by Lakshmi and the war god Skanda-Karttikeya; when the god of love Kama sits astride it, this symbolizes an impatient desire. The peacock is the emblem of the goddess of wisdom, music and poetry Saraswati. In Iran, peacocks standing on both sides of the Tree of Life signify dualism and the dual nature of man. It also symbolizes royal power: the throne of the Persian shahs was called the “peacock throne”. Islam: the light that "saw the self like a peacock with its tail spread". The eye of the peacock is associated with the Eye of the Heart. The Japanese Bodhisattva Kujaku-Mae always sits on a peacock. Rome: the bird of Juno with the same meaning as - in the case of Hera. Emblem of the Empress and daughters of the Emperor.

An ornamental bird originating from India, where it is, thanks to its luxurious fan-shaped tail. considered a symbol of the sun.
through Babylon. Persia and Asia Minor, she reached Samos and became a sacred bird there in the temple of Hera. In the 5th c. BC. in Athens, peacocks as an exotic rarity were shown for money, and in the 2nd century. BC. in Rome they were the sacred birds of Juno.
In India, some gods were depicted riding peacocks.

In the West, the peacock was considered a slayer of snakes, and the iridescent colors of the tail were attributed to its ability to turn snake venom into solar substance.
In the East, the Yezidi Kurdish sect (“devil worshipers”) regard the peacock as Melek Taus (King Peacock), the messenger of God: in Islam, it is considered a symbol of the cosmos or the large celestial bodies of the Sun and Moon.


In early Christianity, positive interpretations of the peacock were also preferred. Its meat was considered incorruptible (a symbol of Christ in the tomb), the loss of feathers and their new growth in the spring was equally seen as a symbol of renewal and resurrection. The ancient folk belief continued to operate, according to which the blood of a peacock casts out demons. Quite often, the peacock was depicted in the images of the grotto in Bethlehem, where Christ was born: two peacocks that drink from one cup indicate spiritual rebirth, and cherubs often find four wings of peacock feathers. The "eyes" of peacocks were understood as an indication of divine omniscience, peacock meat until modern times was considered food that gives strength to the sick. Negative traits are noted in the text of the early Christian Physiologus: The peacock “walks about, looks at himself with pleasure and shakes his plumage, puts on airs and arrogantly looks around him. But if he looks at his paws, he will scream angrily, because they do not match the rest of his appearance. If a Christian, such is the symbolic interpretation, sees his own virtues, he may rejoice; “but when you see your feet, namely your flaws, then turn to God with a complaint and hate injustice, as a peacock hates his paws, so that you appear before the (heavenly) bridegroom justified.”

This launches into circulation the symbolic meaning that is usual for today, which since the Middle Ages in books about animals ("Bestiaries") makes the peacock a bird symbolizing vanity, luxury and arrogance (arrogance). This also meant a spiritual preacher. “When a peacock is praised, he raises and spreads his tail, just as another preacher, when praised by flatterers, exalts his spirit in vainglorious majesty. If he raises his tail, then his bottom is exposed, and he becomes a laughing stock when he swaggers arrogantly. This means that the peacock must keep its tail low, so that everything that the teacher does, humbly fulfill ”(Unterkircher). In the Baroque era, in the images of scenes of the Way of the Cross to Golgotha, Jesus, stripped of his clothes, atones for people for the sin of vanity, which is represented by a peacock placed nearby.
Among the minnesingers, this bird was considered the embodiment and personification of arrogance, arrogant pride (“He walked proudly back and forth, just like a peacock,” Hugo Trimbergsky).

In China, a positive interpretation was borrowed from the Indian region (the goddess Saraswati rides on a peacock, Indra sits on a peacock throne), the peacock personifies beauty and dignity, casts out evil forces and dances at the sight of beautiful women. Peacock feathers were the hallmark of the Manchu emperor and were exhibited in vases. Peacocks were also kept in the Chinese garden.
In the figurative world of alchemy, the iridescent peacock tail in some texts and images is considered a sign of the emerging transformation of lower substances into higher ones. in others - a symbol of an unsuccessful process, which brings with it only slag (caput mortuum - a dead head).

In heraldry, the peacock appears only occasionally (for example, the heraldic figure of the counts von Wied, the treasure helmet of the counts von Ortenburg, the peacock tail as the treasure helmet of the archdukes of Austria, the peacock fan as an adornment of the heraldic helmets of the princes von Schwarzenberg, the counts von Henneberg, etc.), and , naturally, a positive interpretation of the image of a peacock (resurrection, radiance) was assumed here.
Shining glory, immortality, greatness, incorruptibility, pride.
The sparkling splendor of the tail of the male peacock is the reason for comparing him with the immortal gods, and therefore with immortality.
Since snakes were considered enemies of the sun in Iranian symbolism, the peacock was believed to kill snakes in order to use their saliva to create iridescent bronze-green and blue-gold "eyes" on its tail feathers. Added to this legend was the idea that peacock meat is indestructible.
In Islamic decorative arts the unity of opposites (the sun at its zenith next to the full moon) was depicted as two peacocks under the World Tree.
Peacocks are widely known as an emblem of greatness, royalty, spiritual superiority, an ideal creation.

In Persia, the shah's court was called the "peacock throne".

From here, from the East, the image of a peacock or simply a peacock feather in a knight's hat came to Europe as a symbol of his high moral thoughts.
Some contradiction can be seen in the fact that the Indian Mars, the god of war Kartikeya, the son of the wise Shiva, rides a peacock, but in fact there is no contradiction here: if you read the ancient Indian books on the art of war, we will see that then there will be no war. were a means of mass extermination of people, which were the wars of the 20th century - rather, they were tournaments, something similar to knightly competitions in Europe.
They tried to make these competitions as magnificent and spectacular as possible. Often, as if everything proceeded according to a pre-arranged scenario, a bloody fight between representatives of deadly warring clans ended suddenly with the betrothal of a young man and a girl from both clans and a holiday that could last for weeks.

Symbolism and a deep perception of the surrounding world are combined in Art Nouveau with surprisingly expressive and beautiful external forms and images that are not often considered from the point of view of philosophy. When I studied at the university, it was customary to talk about Modern as a bourgeois, superficially overly aestheticized and superficial style. In fact, the choice of subjects in the era of Art Nouveau was absolutely not accidental and deeply thought out, because all the artists who worked then, with rare exceptions, had a deep academic education, which involved knowledge of both mythology and symbolism. If we take into account the general enthusiasm for the culture of the East, at that time, then we can imagine what an interesting cultural and historical mix underlies the philosophy of Art Nouveau.

Peacock - symbolizes the colorful diversity of the world. The peacock is often made the personification of infinite diversity, a cheerful spirit with which God created this earth, having fun as he wanted.
In Indian mythology, when Krishna and Radha - two incarnations of the god Vishnu - dance and play in the eternal joy of love, peacocks look at them. There are cult toys, for example: Krishna and Radha swing on a swing, and again we see peacocks on the swing posts. The motley peacock seems to be telling us: no matter how hard life is, what unpleasant surprises whatever it brings us, it is inevitable, we must find joy in life and believe that its diversity will always allow us to find a positive edge. At the Indian court, the peacock always accompanied the image of both deities - Krishna and Radha - and was a symbol of an exemplary life of love and beauty.

In heraldry, the peacock is depicted with loose plumage. In "blazon" (the language of heraldry) it is called "a peacock in its pride".

Tausin - peacock stone (from the Persian "tausi") was called labradorite in Russia for its resemblance to the play of peacock plumage. The nobility of St. Petersburg wore rings, rings and snuff boxes made of this stone, and the ladies showed outfits made of iridescent "taausin" silk. However, the “tausine fashion” lasted until 1835, when the discovery of the richest labradorite deposit in Ukraine depreciated this mineral.

sources

http://www.zoopicture.ru

http://zooclub.ru

http://miragro.com

Dictionary Dahl

But look what else happens in nature: . Maybe someone forgot The original article is on the website InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy is made -

Peacock Probably the most beautiful bird in the world. But in India, peacocks have a special place - they are recognized as the national bird of India. In addition, the peacock is a very popular bird in Indian culture and religions.

Peacocks in India

In Hinduism, the peacock is a vahana (mount) of 2 gods: Saraswati - the personification of wisdom, the patroness of the arts and the wife of the god Brahma, as well as the god Kartikeya (his other names are Skanda, Kumara), the second son of Shiva and Parvati.
In Buddhism, the peacock is the companion of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

In addition, the culture of Rajasthan () also symbolizes a happy peacock, so the figurines of peacocks decorate the house of the bride and groom, as well as the wedding bed.

Peacocks in India are not uncommon at all, in some places you can see whole flocks of wild peacocks, they live in bushes and other thickets. they are shy and do not let a person close, they probably know that many people like their beautiful feathers. True, it is absolutely not necessary to catch a peacock in order to acquire its beautiful feathers, the birds themselves drop them, so if you take a walk in their habitats, you will be rewarded with several at once, and completely different ones.

I always thought that the peacock is an Indian bird, well, or found mainly in South Asia, it turned out that it wasn’t.
In conclusion, I offer an interesting article

Peacock - the solar bird of India

Peacocks (Pavo Linnaeus)- a genus of large birds, the pheasant family (lat. Phasianidae), order of galliformes (lat. Galliformes).
looking at peacocks, you might think that this genus of birds has many species, so they can be different in color and structure. but it is not. in the genus of peacocks, there are: an ordinary peacock (Pavo cristatus), a green peacock (Pavo muticus) and a Congolese or African peacock (Afropavo congensis).
there are significant differences between these genera, which manifest themselves as appearance as well as in reproduction.
Thanks to the magnificent eyed tail (or rather, the feathers of the upper tail), the peacock is known as the most beautiful bird on earth. they are also often called the most beautiful of the birds and solar birds of India.

Common or Indian peacock

This species was discovered by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. it was named Indian because of its habitat - tropical forests and India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan. Birds of this species are also often referred to as blue peacocks. and all because their head, neck and part of the chest are painted blue. The length of males reaches 100-120 centimeters, and the elongated covering feathers of the uppertail - 120-160 centimeters. a bunch of core feathers with an edge flaunts on the head.
Females are smaller and not too brightly colored. they don’t have a chic “tail”, which she awarded the males.

Green or January Peacock

lives in Southeast Asia. it differs from the usual peacock in color and size - the green peacock is much larger. The length of his body can reach 2-2.5 meters, and tail feathers - 140-160 centimeters. The birds are distinguished by a bright green color with a metallic sheen, longer legs and a head decorated with a small tuft of fully pubescent feathers.
The number of green peacocks is small. Now he is under protection and is listed in the international Red Book under the status of "vulnerable".

Congolese or African peacock

the official discovery of the species took place only in 1936. This merit belongs to the scientist James Chapin. it turned out that the birds, although they are relatives of the common peacock, belong to a completely different species. African peacocks live in the Congo basin and in the forests of Zaire at an altitude of 350-1500 meters. They do not have such a beautiful tail as their brothers, and the size is small.

Peacock, a bird of stunning beauty, is considered the embodiment of the legendary heavenly phoenix on earth. With his bright energy, he is able to bring passion even into a fading relationship. In Feng Shui philosophy, the peacock symbolizes beauty, love and romance. The Chinese believe that seeing a peacock with its tail unfolded is a sign of great luck.

The Chinese believe that seeing a peacock with its tail unfolded is a sign of great luck.

In ancient Eastern and Western mythology, it is associated with such things as love, benevolence, patience, kindness, compassion and knowledge. In addition, the peacock is considered the guardian symbol of monarchs, and often its image is found on thrones.

Single people can use this symbol to attract love into their lives. A thousand eyes on a peacock's tail will improve alertness and protection against misfortunes and dangers, such as betrayal in love. In addition, the charming colors of the peacock tail help to achieve fame and recognition. This bird also symbolizes dignity and social rank.

The peacock is a universal auspicious symbol. William Blake once wrote, "The pride of the peacock is the glory of the Lord." There is a sacred Buddhist ritual during which three peacock feathers are burned. In Hinduism, the goddess Lakshmi, who brings good luck, patience and kindness, is associated with this beautiful bird. To this day, the peacock is considered the national bird of India.

Among the numerous mosaics and wall paintings in the catacombs of ancient Rome, there is an image of a peacock as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is due to the fact that in ancient times it was believed that the flesh of a peacock does not decompose. The white peacock is a particularly revered symbol of the Christ consciousness.


The white peacock is a particularly revered symbol of the Christ consciousness.

Contemplation of peacock feathers brings incredible pleasure, a feeling of joy and admiration for the work of the Creator. These feathers are valued for their beauty and are often used as decoration. Decorating your home with parts of a dead bird is very bad feng shui. But in order to take a feather from a peacock, he is not killed. The peacock himself gets rid of his magical plumage as soon as he reaches his goal: with the help of his "magic" he achieves the attention of the female.


In the sector of glory, a peacock feather will bring you recognition, and you will be perceived as an honest and virtuous person.

The power of the peacock feather is such that it can be used as a feng shui medicine for different sectors. possess fiery energy, and the south is a very good place for their symbolism.

In the sector of glory, a peacock feather will bring you recognition, and you will be perceived as an honest and virtuous person. Your talents will be appreciated. Being under the protection of the “all-seeing eye”, you can avoid scandals and envy. The number of the glory sector is 9. Therefore, if you place 9 peacock feathers here, you will get the most out of them. Place them in a red or green vase.

It is under the influence of the earth element. Therefore, here peacock feathers will come in handy. Fire feeds the earth. For this sector, paired items should be used. Hang a picture of peacocks here and let them look at each other. They must also be a pair - male and female.

6 peacock feathers for safe travel


Give a set of 6 peacock feathers to each family member.

In 2013, we all need protection from car crashes. Place 6 peacock feathers on the back of the car to protect the family from accidents and other unpleasant incidents.

6 is the number of heavenly luck, and birds are the protectors of the zodiac. Give a set of 6 peacock feathers to each family member so that each car has one protective talisman. Tie a red ribbon around the peacock feathers to support them with yang energy. Add a glass woo lu to this and yours will be protected.

It would be wise to place 6 peacock feathers in the northwestern part of the house, as this will enhance the influence of the auspicious flying star number 6, which settled in this sector this year.


Use the power of the peacock and change your life!

We are filled with the energies that surround us, and over time we ourselves become them. The use of peacock images in clothing, interior design and artwork will infuse new energies into your life, elevate your thoughts to heaven, give you the protection of deities and help you achieve fame and love.

Use the power of the peacock and change your life for the better!

The peacock is associated with astral symbolism and can act as the personification of the cosmos, the starry sky, the circle of the sun or moon (due to the shape and color of the tail). The solar bird of India, the bird of many gods, in particular, the Buddha. The pattern of his wings, reminiscent of numerous eyes, is perceived in Indian mythology as a picture of the starry sky.
In the alternation of the time of day, the peacock corresponds to twilight.
With a snake in its beak means the victory of light over darkness. The beauty of the plumage of the peacock is due to its ability to transform the poison of the snake struck by it. On Roman coins, the peacock was depicted as a sign of the apotheosis of the daughters of the emperor.
Such qualities as royalty and beauty, as well as incorruptibility, fearlessness, and endurance are attributed to the peacock. The peacock is associated with fertility and immortality. It is sometimes placed at the trunk of the world tree, which emphasizes the symbolism of abundance and fertility. Probably, from ancient Persia comes a paired symmetrical image of peacocks on both sides of the world tree, personifying duality (in the context of the general symbolism of the twins) and surpassing its unity.

Among the Greeks, peacocks were depicted as an attribute of the immortal gods and were dedicated to Hera, the wife of Zeus.


Gera. Jacopo Amigoni. Juno Receiving the Head of Argos 1730-32

The peacock, shining with the beauty of its plumage, was also considered the sacred bird of Hera. About the peacock as a sacred bird of Hera, not only ancient authors speak, but also images on coins and reliefs. Therefore, Hera, who was, as it were, the cause of the death of Argus, placed the eyes of Argus on the tail of a peacock.
She came to the place of death of Argus with a flock of white peacocks. The goddess plucked the eyes of Argus from the headless body, called her beloved white peacock with a long tail-train, and scattered these eyes over his tail. And then the eyes of Argus began to play on the bird feathers of the peacock's tail with blue and green rainbows.

In India and Byzantium, the peacock was considered a royal bird and was kept in palace menageries. In Hindu mythology, he was associated with solar symbolism and revered as a sacred bird.
In Buddhist mythology, the peacock is a symbol of compassion and vigilance.
In the Sufi legend, the world spirit created by God has the appearance of a peacock. In Christian art, he acts as a symbol of immortality and the incorruptible soul.
The spots on the tail of the peacock correlated with the eyes, hence self-contemplation, admiration was attributed to the peacock; on the other hand, the motif of "many eyes" (like any form of plurality in general) acquired a negative meaning and was associated with the "evil eye" and misfortune. According to Greek myth, many eyes of the murdered Argus Panopteus, the All-Seeing, who was considered the personification of the starry "thousand-eyed" sky, were transferred to the peacock's tail.


Fragment of a peacock feather

A solar symbol associated with the cult of the tree and the Sun, as well as with the peon. Symbolizes immortality, longevity, love. A natural symbol of the stars in the sky and, as a result, ascension to Heaven and immortality. Associated with the storm, as he becomes restless before the rain, and his dance during the rain reflects the symbolism of the spiral. Loquacity, swagger and vanity are relatively late connotations. Buddhism: compassion and vigilance. A fan of peacock feathers is an attribute of Avalokiteshvara, who is also identified with Kwan-yin and Ami-tabha, as a symbol of compassion.

China: dignity, high rank, beauty. Attribute of Kwan-yin and Si Wang-Mu. The peacock feather was awarded upon receiving a high rank for merit and meant the favor of the emperor. Emblem of the Ming dynasty.
Christianity: immortality, resurrection, the soul glorified before the Lord, as the peacock renews its plumage, and its meat was considered incorruptible. One hundred eyes of the all-seeing Church. It also symbolizes saints, since its tail resembles a halo. A peacock sitting on a sphere or power personified the ability to rise above worldly things. His pen is the emblem of Saint Barbara. Ancient Greece: solar symbol, symbol of the bird-god Phaon trembling. Initially - an attribute of Pan, then borrowed by the Hero as a symbol of the star vault. The eyes of Argus were scattered by Hera over his tail.


Rosanna Zhang Peacock Girl

Hinduism: sometimes - the mount of Brahma; the peacock is also ridden by Lakshmi and the war god Skanda-Karttikeya; when the god of love Kama sits astride it, this symbolizes an impatient desire. The peacock is the emblem of the goddess of wisdom, music and poetry Saraswati.
In Iran, peacocks standing on both sides of the Tree of Life signify dualism and the dual nature of man. It also symbolizes royal power: the throne of the Persian shahs was called the peacock throne.
Islam: the light that saw the self, like a peacock with its tail spread. The eye of the peacock is associated with the Eye of the Heart. The Japanese Bodhisattva Kujaku-Mae always sits on a peacock.
Rome: the bird of Juno with the same meaning as in the case of Hera. Emblem of the Empress and daughters of the Emperor.


Vladimir Kush

This is shining glory, immortality, greatness, incorruptibility. The magnificent tail of a peacock is a symbol of the all-seeing Sun and eternal cosmic cycles, as well as the starry firmament and, as a result, unity and interconnectedness.

In ancient Rome, the peacock was considered the emblem of the empress and her daughters, while the eagle was the bird of the emperor. In Islamic decorative art, the unity of opposites (the Sun at its zenith next to the full Moon) is depicted as two peacocks under the World Tree.
In Christianity, the peacock, on the one hand, is a symbol of eternal life, and on the other, a symbol of pride, luxury and vanity.

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Tausi Malak and the image of the Peacock in the Yezidi religion


Angel Peacock - TAUS MALAK

The most controversial information is associated with the image of Malaki Taus. A number of travelers have considered the Yezidis to be "devil worshipers" based solely on their reverence for Malaki Taus. Ignorant authors have long called him "the personification of evil", and the Yezidis were considered in this regard "devil worshipers". Such a statement is the fruit of a deep delusion that has nothing to do with the ideas of the Yezidis themselves about this archangel. Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin in "Journey to Arzrum" writes:

"Our society was diverse. Beks of Muslim regiments gathered in the tent of General Raevsky; and the conversation went through an interpreter. In our army were the peoples of our Transcaucasian regions and residents of the lands recently conquered. Between them, I looked with curiosity at the Yazidis, who were known in the East as devil worshipers. About 300 families live at the foot of Ararat. I tried to find out from Yazid the truth about their religion. He answered my questions that the rumor that the Yazid worship Satan is an empty fable; that they believe in one God ... This explanation reassured me I was very happy for the Yazidis that they do not worship Satan "Malaki Taus, or Tausi Malak" Peacock Angel "), occupies a supreme position in the Yezidi cosmogony: before the creation of the world, he was created by the Creator, the first of the seven Archangels, and then placed" ruler over all."

Due to the fact that sometimes Tausi Malak is called the "angel of faith", he can be compared with the Zoroastrian Sraosha spirit of faith, discipline and religious pious obedience. Malaki Taus is depicted as a peacock or, more rarely, a rooster, whose image is symbolic in Yezidism and plays a very important ritual role. The rooster is a symbol of France, inherited from the ancient Celtic culture of the Gauls. In the eighteenth fraguard "Videvdata" of one of the books of the Holy Book of the Zoroastrians Avesta, several stanzas are devoted to the chanting of the bird Sraoshi Parodarsh, the rooster, which in Zoroastrianism opposes the laziness deva "long-armed" Bushyasta. Malaki Taus is not evil, as Muslim authors often write, calling him the devil.

God's disfavor towards Tausi Malak is explained in different ways and has several interpretations: According to one version, he walked away from God out of pride, not wanting to bow to the created man. According to the main version, the disobedience of Malaki Taus is explained by his special devotion to God as his Creator. According to Yezidi ideas, he refused to bow to Adam because his Creator is the Lord, and he worships only Him and no one else. Tausi Malak is associated with the solar principle.

The image of this archangel in the form of a peacock corresponds to the solar symbolism of this bird in various mythologies. The mythopoetic image of a peacock, based on the external features of this bird (for example, the shape and colorful colors of the tail), covers a wide range of astral symbolism from the cosmos in its entirety and the starry sky to the solar circle. In Iran, the metaphorical name for the Sun is T?avus-e Falak. In ancient Egypt, the peacock is a symbol of Heliopolis, the city in which the temple of the Sun was located. In ancient Greece, the peacock is a symbol of the sun.


Peacock (medieval Persian drawing)

In Islam, the peacock's tail personified the universe, the full moon or the sun at its zenith. In the catacomb painting of early Christians, the peacock was one of the main religious symbols. It also symbolizes the saints, as its open tail resembles a halo. In early Christianity, the image of a peacock was colored with solar symbolism and was perceived as a symbol of immortality and the beauty of an imperishable soul.

Quite often, the peacock appeared on the images of the cave in Bethlehem, where Christ was born: two peacocks drinking from the same cup indicate spiritual rebirth. The peacock is one of the indispensable attributes in Hinduism; it is the solar bird of India. The drawing of the peacock's tail revealed in all its glory is perceived in Indian mythology as a picture of the starry sky. This is a bird like the Buddha, but also acts as the goddess of wisdom, sacred knowledge, poetry and music Saraswati.

Sometimes Saraswati, the wife of Brahma, is depicted riding a peacock with her tail completely spread. The tail feathers symbolize the sleepless eyes that see everything. In Yezidism, there is another symbolic image: two peacocks standing opposite each other on both sides of the tree trunk of the Tree of Life, or "cosmic tree".

This symbol came to the Muslims, and from them to the West, from Ancient Iran, and means dualism and the dual nature of a person who draws strength from the principle of unity. At the heart of the mythological image of the rooster in many traditions, we also see its connection with the Sun: in most traditions, it is associated with the deities of the morning dawn and the Sun, heavenly fire. The Yezidis, like the Zoroastrians, revere the Sun as the source of life and the visible presence of God in the world, and fire as a manifestation of the nature of the Sun on earth, for which they are sometimes called "sun worshipers" or "fire worshipers".

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Peacock in Slavic mythology


Ivan Tsarevich and the Firebird - Ivan Bilibin

Firebird - in Slavic mythology, a fire bird the size of a peacock. Her feathers shine with blue light, and her armpits crimson.
Zhar lives - a bird in the Garden of Eden of Iria, in a golden cage. At night, it flies out of it and illuminates the garden with itself as brightly as thousands of lit fires. The Firebird in the garden has a favorite food - rejuvenating apples, which give her beauty and immortality.

The Fire Bird has healing singing, when she sings pearls fall from her beak. A blinding light surrounds her. Every year, in the fall, the Firebird dies and is reborn in the spring.

Sometimes you can find a dropped feather from the tail of the Firebird, brought into a dark room, it will replace the richest lighting. Over time, such a pen turns into gold. To catch the Heat - birds use a golden cage with apples inside as a trap. You can’t catch it with your bare hands, as you can get burned on its plumage.

The Firebird guards the fern flower.

Towel Ukrainian. Beginning 20th century Flax, cotton threads. With. Vorontsovka, Poltava region

Pava bird in Russian ornaments

The long tail feathers of the peahen are understood as rays, that is, symbolically it is the bird-Sun. At the same time, the iconography of the peahen is very diverse - in different areas the proportions of the peahen were changed, the tail was increased or decreased, a tuft was added on the head (sometimes depicting the Sun wheel), and so on. There are even scenes with the Virgin-Sun sitting on a bird with a magnificent tail. The ancient versions of the "solar boat" (a symbol of the eternal movement of the Sun across the sky) also have bird heads, which at a later time were replaced by horse ones.

White plumage is one of the most beautiful mutations in peacocks. In Indian mythology, albinos are considered a symbol of spirituality. How this royal bird behaves in nature, where it lives, and how the mating season goes for peacocks can be found in this article. It also provides recommendations on the maintenance of white peacocks in the private sector.

History of the species and main characteristics

The history of the species begins in 1822, when the white Indian peacock was first seen in wild nature. Immediately after the discovery, the beautiful bird began to be tamed.

Peacocks belong to the pheasant order. In nature, there are 2 types of peacocks - Indian and green. The white peacock is a variation of the Indian species.

White peacocks are adapted to the cold. In an aviary with birds, you should not populate other types of birds, since in this case squabbles are inevitable.

External signs and differences

The white color of the plumage is not related to albino and is a genetic modification. But the bird is still called an albino.

The female has a snow-white plumage, and the outlines of eyes are visible on the tail feathers of the male. Eye color is dark blue in males and blue in females. The chicks of these birds are born yellow with white wings. You can distinguish a peacock from a peahen at an early age by the length of its paws - in females they are shorter.

Birds mature at the age of two, when white plumage completely replaces yellow feathers. Males differ from females in the long and shaped tail - in the male it is long and thick. Such a "fan" does not prevent the peacock from moving and even flying.

  • Albinos have:
  • Strong physique;
  • small head;
  • Short wings, tightly pressed to the body;
  • long neck;
  • The crest is shaped like a crown;
  • Body length - 120 cm;
  • Weight - 4.5 kg.
  • The tail without a train is not longer than 50 cm;
  • Long feathers 170 cm long.

A domesticated bird, unlike a wild one, weighs more and has short limbs.

Habitat and lifestyle in the natural environment

Locations and behavior

The natural habitat of white peacocks is the territory of such countries as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and China.

Albinos prefer to settle in places where you can eat fresh grass and leaves - in forests, in thickets of shrubs, near fields cultivated by humans.

These birds can often be found on the slopes of mountains rich in vegetation. They also like places where there are small bodies of water. The flock can settle at an altitude of up to 2000 meters above sea level. Albinos spend most of their time on the ground.

Birds live in small flocks. Peacock activity peaks during daylight hours. When it gets dark, the birds climb the trees, where they spend the night.

Nutrition in nature

White peacocks are unpretentious in food and eat almost everything. The basis of the white peacock's diet in its natural environment is seeds, berries and nuts, insects, rodents and small snakes. Birds are happy to eat vegetables from agricultural land - cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers. They can go to a rice, peanut or banana field. Albinos do not disdain human waste.

Reproduction in nature

In the third year of life, birds reach puberty and begin to participate in reproduction. The albino peacock is polygamous; to continue the genus, the birds create a family of 1 male and several females (up to 5 individuals). The mating season begins in April and ends in September. An albino peacock spreads its tail, attracting the attention of females. The courtship ritual is also accompanied by the rustling of feathers and a courtship dance.

When the seduced peahen responds to the advances of the male, the process of building a nest begins. For these purposes, birds choose small pits, cover them with leaves and branches. In exceptional cases, the female lays her eggs on the ground. One clutch consists of several eggs (from 4 to 10 pieces). The hatching process lasts a little less than a month.

Downsizing

The number of white peacock is rapidly declining. In India, there are only 100,000 common peacocks, of which only 7% are albinos. The laws of the country provide for punishment for the extermination of birds, but the hunt for peacocks continues. Poachers are interested in beautiful bird feathers and their meat, which is sold along with turkey and chicken.

The reduction in numbers is also due to the presence of natural enemies in nature. White peacocks are the prey of such predators as the leopard, tiger, as well as large birds.

Aviary equipment

Unpretentious and hardy peacocks are widespread in our country. For their maintenance, it is necessary to prepare an aviary, the dimensions of which should not be less than 5 meters in length and 3 meters in height. At a height of 1.5 meters, perches are arranged for albinos. It is also necessary to have a drinking bowl, a feeder and a container with ash, chalk or gravel. To breed birds to populate them better families- 1 male and 3-4 females. Neighborhood with representatives of other species for a white peacock is highly undesirable.

Feeding

Omnivorous peacocks take grain feed and vegetable crops well. Breeders often focus on the diet of chickens, which is also suitable for peacocks.

Normally, an adult peacock per day needs:

  • 50 g chopped corn;
  • 40 g of oats or barley;
  • 50 g flour and alfalfa;
  • 10 g sunflower meal;
  • 90 g of grain waste;
  • 100 g of root crops and vegetables.

Greens, salt and chalk are used as additives.

The menu can include boiled cereals and crackers, as well as Colorado beetles and other pests. Sometimes you should pamper your pets with berries and fruits.

Peacock breeding

The mating season of white peacocks, which are kept in captivity, is not much different from breeding in the natural environment.

The breeder needs to select exclusively white individuals for families. This will result in healthy white offspring. To obtain a mixed hybrid color, a color pair is selected for a white peacock.

It is also important to prepare the nests, as the birds may not take care of this on their own. Pava may also refuse to incubate, so the eggs will need to be transferred under the chicken or placed in an incubator.