The other afternoon we had visitors and three little girls collected peacock feathers from the lawn and gleefully asked me if they could keep them. Of course I said yes, and they took the feathers back to where they were staying, their eyes alight with excitement.
Less than 15 minutes later, the feathers were returned. “We’re not allowed to have them because they’re bad luck,” said one.
I was gobsmacked. Obviously I had heard of this superstition before but I was amazed that something so beautiful, and in the hands of such beautiful children, could be rejected and rendered ugly. The following picture is of King before he shed his feathers. He will grow them back soon!
The myth of peacock feathers being bad luck is equally matched by the myth of peacock feathers being good luck. This has to do with whether you see the peacock feather’s ‘eye’ as malevolent or benevolent – whether you see it as watching you, or watching over you. It also has to do with whether you are superstitious or not. I’m not.
So I now have those rejected peacock feather in a vase next to me. Their eyes stare into mine with the kindness of centuries.
Never have I felt so safe.
jmgoyder 
I love Greek myths and love the story of Hermes and Argus, so when I see a peacock, I think of that story. I’ve never heard the superstition that the “eyes” are bad luck. Instead I think of Hermes and smile.
Yay Judith! Go Hermes – Husband loved Greek mythology too!
Nice piece. I envy your new decoration! Irrationality is pervasive, actually a well- proven feature of normal cognitive functioning, one we all deserve to know more about and learn to address effectively. Otherwise, we will continue to suffer the burden of pointless argument as to things like the supposed magic powers of harmless beautiful feathers, and other reasoning better suited to the Dark Ages than modern life. Thanks for your compelling illustration of this point.
And thank you for confirming things for me!
I have never heard such a thing! Where did this viscous tale come from? ~ Lynda
Greek mythology – sort of – old wives’ tale.
I sure can’t spell good can I? (viscous = vicious.) Oh dear…
Viscous works too!
Stupid superstitions have a lot to answer for. Those poor little girls had the joy stolen from their day.
Yes.
The evil eye lore might have been to protect the birds from being de-feathered of their beauty. Weren’t Peacocks mostly owned by Kings and nobility?
Yes! Nobly yours…
How could anything so strikingly beautiful be anything but positive energy. Bad luck? Hogwash!
I just don’t understand people.
Yes!
I am superstitious about some things, but haven’t heard that one about the peacock feather.
Love the photo.
(Number 13 has always been my lucky number – and besides, I believe I have someone looking after me from above, especially after a couple of miraculous near misses from road traffic).
Thanks Vicki!
What!? Bad luck?? You gotta be kidding! I love peacock feathers and especially when they are spread out like in the photo!
It’s quite a common old wive’s tale!