This is the stylized peacock motif that is found in many Yezidi temples and provides the basis for the logo of The Most Ancient Order of the Peacock Angel. This is both Tawsi Melek's Cosmic Peacock Form that he assumed when creating the universe, as well as the stages involved in the creation of the cosmos.
Both the inner blue body of the peacock, as well as the yellow solar disc behind it, represent the Supreme Being from which the Cosmic Peacock originally emanated. The three feathers on the head of the peacock denote the universal Trinity (father, mother, son, etc.), as well as the trinity of powers that are wielded by the Cosmic Peacock: creation, preservation and destruction. The seven red feathers denote both the Seven Great Angels that are part of Tawsi Melek, as well as the seven spirits that inhabit the Seven Astrological Planets of the Solar System, and the Seven Days of the Week. The twelve feathers that surround the peacock represent the Twelve Months of the Year as well as the twelve parts of the Primal Dragon or Cosmic Peacock that become the Twelve Zodiacal Signs, the “Circle of Animals.” The circle or ball that the Cosmic Peacock stands upon is Earth, the planet that Tawsi Melek landed upon and gave both life and color to.
JULY 14, 2015 RICHARDJOLDALE 4 COMMENTS
Defeating Pride to Reach a Higher State of Consciousness
Once you notice symbols around you, they appear everywhere. The same ones will keep re-appearing constantly. This is what happened to me with the peacock.
I first realised the peacock was an important esoteric symbol on a visit to the Vatican earlier this year. I had been quite eager to photograph the large pinecone statue and the world within a world sculpture in the Pinecone Courtyard.
As discussed in an earlier article, the pinecone represents the pineal gland which is the third eye chakra, also known as the all-seeing eye, the evil eye, or the mind’s eye.
In terms of reaching higher consciousness and becoming “the creator”, the pinecone is pretty important.
The pinecone statue in the Vatican courtyard is flanked by two peacocks, one either side. We can therefore assume that the role of peacocks in alchemical symbolism also have a significant meaning.
And so it does!
The peacock in Christianity
According to the Catholic Church, the peacock represents immortality and resurrection. The reason for this is because peacocks do not decay and when they die and when they shed their feathers, they are replaced by colours more brilliant than the last.
It comes as no surprise then that peacock feathers are used to decorate churches around Easter as they mirror the theme of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They are also often found in art and other forms of iconography depicting death and rebirth.
In Muslim myth, the peacock is said to guard the Gates of Paradise. Given the similarities between Islamic beliefs and Christianity, it is interesting to note the two birds standing guard beside the 3rd eye chakra pinecone – the gateway to God – in the Vatican.
However, in Islamic myth, the peacock is said to allow Iblis (Satan) to enter the Garden of Eden where he tempts Eve. The peacock is expelled from Paradise with them.
The Peacock in ancient myth
In ancient Greek, the peacock is associated with Argos, a monster with one hundred eyes that could see everything – the all-seeing eye. It is no coincidence that in medieval Europe (Italy and UK), the feather of the peacock became associated with bad luck and called the ‘evil eye’. In Asia, peacock feathers are a symbol of good luck.
peacock featherThe all-seeing eye and the evil eye are both linked to the third eye chakra-pineal gland – which is shaped like a pinecone, hence why the pinecone features as the third eye chakra in ancient symbolism.
The peacock was also associated with the all-seeing eye of the Egyptian sun gods, Amon-Ra and later Horus. In Egyptian myth, the Sun God’s are killed and restored to life, thus again we see the peacock associated with regeneration.
In Hindu myth, the peacock is associated with Goddess Saraswati, which in Sanskrit means “the essence of the self.” She is the consort of the creator God Brahma.
But the peacock in Hindu traditions represents unpredictability and is associated with mood swings that can change like the weather. The reason why there are two either side of the pinecone in the Vatican is the duality of good luck and bad luck.
Or higher consciousness (God/Paradise) and sub-consciousness (Satan/Hell)
The peacock in alchemical symbolism
Whereas organised religions hint at the peacock symbolising creation, whether good or bad, alchemical writers get straight to the point.
In his revered works titled Amphitheatrum sapientiae, the hermetic philosopher and alchemist, Heinrich Khunrath calls the peacock “the soul of the world, nature which causes all things to bring forth.”
The psychoanalyst Carl Jung, who took a keen interest in hermetic alchemy, associated the peacock with the self and wrote “the peacock annually renews his plumage, and therefore has a relation to all changes in nature.”
A peacock depicted as part of an astrological display on the church floor of Chiesa San Martino, Naples
The symbolic meaning of the peacock then refers to the transformation of the physical body which is possible by changing the way you think. That two peacocks are stood either side of the pinecone-pineal gland represents the duality of consciousness and how positive/negative thoughts result in the creation of good or bad, wanted or unwanted.
Because of its beauty, the peacock is associated with pride, one of the seven deadly sins. However, like the peacock, pride is a double-edged sword as you should take pride in what you do and who you are without craving for recognition and attention.
Peacocks eat poisonous snakes and are thus referred to as serpent slayers, the serpent of course represents the sub-conscious mind and sinful pride. Therefore, the peacock has a strong symbolic edge that indicates you can defeat your demons. When you learn how to do this, you can move forward to attain a higher state of consciousness.
