The Eye of India - Peacock Feather

Eye of India - Peacock FeathersThe peacock feather is a symbol of INDIA and considered "The Eye of India" representing an exotic porthole in an ancient culture steeped in Hinduism and spirituality. This feather gives but a mere nostalgic glimpse at the sheer nobility, beauty, elegance, spirituality, mysticism and pride of the people and culture of this sacred nation.

The strutting male peacock sports about 150 of the long "eyed" tail feathers. These feathers shed annually during the molt and are gathered as a valuable and sacred constituent in many eastern countries. The feathers are long extensions of the upper tail covers and can grow to be several feet long, but are shed each year just after breeding season. The feathers of the peacock are composed of many colors, including Crescent sheen of bright blue and green giving it its alluring iridescent quality. The shimmering color of the feather is due to a phenomena known as INTERFERENCE. Each of these long feathers also has a design near its tip which resembles an exotic eye. Each feather consists of numerous tiny flat flat branches. When light shines on the feather, we see thousands of glimmering colored spots, each caused by minuscule bowl-shaped indentations. This same principle is also responsible for vibrant shimmering colors of butterflies, pheasants, birds of paradise and humming birds. Recreating the unique color of the peacock feather has posed a challenge to artists and ceramists for centuries.

Peacock feathers are considered a symbol of good luck, fertility and well-being in India. Powerful, intermediate, and balancing Yoga poses have been named after the peacock such as Pincha Mayurasana (feathered peacock pose) and Mayurasana (peacock pose). The peacock combines beauty with an innate power as it represents an inner transformation and transmutation from poisonous venom of snakes venom does no harm to the exotic bird.