Many Hindu and Buddhist objects are made in the shape of peacocks as protective creatures. Hindus believe its feathers protect energy, bring prosperity and are a reminder of the celebration of life. In India peacocks have historically been common motifs in Indian ancient stories, poems, songs and art as symbols of love, joy, peace, harmony and poise and have a strong and auspicious tradition in Hindu religion and mysticism. Many Hindu sculptures use peacocks as a symbol of the cycle of time since it represents the succession of temporal cycles in Hindu cosmogony. Lord Vishnu used a feather from Garuda, the majestic bird that carries him on its back, to create the peacock. It is closely associated with many other deities: Lakshmi, Saraswati and Krishna. It is regarded as a protective creature for the physical and psychic self as its screech is a warning of possible danger. In the home its feathers are believed to protect the energy in the environment and to bring prosperity. It is a constant reminder of the celebration of life as during courting the male bird dances for the benefit of the female. In 1963, it was declared the India’s National Bird.
Some Hindu legends claim that the Buddha was a golden peacock in a previous birth. In Buddhism it is 83 of the 108 images on the Buddha’s footprint, it represents the short-lived nature of all things since its forms appear and vanish as swiftly it displays and furls its tail, and in esoteric Buddhism it is a symbol of wholeness that combines all colors in its tail. It is used in Burmese folk art, architecture and on utilitarian carvings such as heddle pulleys and ox carts as the emblem of its last dynasty the Kon-baung Dynasty (1845-1941). The Peacock Dance is performed to end droughts and peacocks are sacrificed to bring rain and the heavenly gift of fertility. It also symbolizes beauty and dignity and the desire for peace and prosperity.
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Hindus use oil lamps (diya) like for ritual prayer rituals (puja) performed on home altars. Light and the act of lighting a lamp signify purity, virtuosity, goodness and brings one good luck and power. Peacocks are common motifs symbolize love, joy, peace and harmony.
This Burmese teak heddle pulley is topped by a graceful peacock. The peacock symbolizes wholeness, combining all colors with its spread tail and the fleeting nature of all sentient beings. Drawing on old animistic beliefs, old folk art Burmese heddles are decorated with carvings of mythical or auspicious animals providing the weaver protection and assuring good quality weaving. Mounted on wood base.
This elegant heddle pulley carved from a single piece of Burmese teak is topped by a peacock, which in Buddhism represents the short-lived nature of all things. Borrowing from ancient animistic traditions, it was believed that auspicious symbolic animal images protected the weaver, assured quality weaving, and pleased the gods and spirits. This antique folk piece is wonderfully weathered from time and use.
This elegant antique heddle-pulley carved from a single piece of Burmese teak is topped by a hamsa, a goose-like bird and a sacred Buddhist symbol of wisdom. Auspicious symbolic animal images are believed protect the weaver, assure quality weaving, and pleases the gods and spirits. It is wonderfully weathered from time and use with minor losses with a fine patina. Mounted on a black wood base, this heddle pulley pairs well with item number 11298A.
This glass painting of a peacock was one of a pair of panels inset in an antique Indian cabinet along with Krishna Playing his Flute (3982). Beautifully painted with reflective silver accents it is a vibrant and remarkable wall hanging. As both panels were originally displayed together, we recommend they be kept as a pair.
This vintage beadwork tapestry displays many auspicious Hindu symbols: the Tree of Life, the Monkey God Hanuman, a horse and a pair of peacocks together symbolizing the cycle of life, spiritual growth, enlightenment, divine wisdom and beauty. Traditionally placed at home doorways and thresholds they symbolize warmth, positivity, and protection and invite good luck and blessings to the home and are used in many Indian celebrations.
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