Peacocks, native to India, Pakistan, western China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, have been domesticated for more than 3,000 years. The long blue-green tail feathers of the peacock are prized for their beautiful iridescent sheen and for the "eye" design near the tip.

Good Luck

Throughout Asia and much of the rest of the world, peacock feathers are a symbol of good luck and well-being. Peacocks are considered sacred in India, particularly in the north, where burning the feathers is believed to repel sickness and heal snakebites.

Negative Connotations

In some parts of Eastern Europe, the peacock feather does not have a pleasant meaning, because it is associated with the Mongol hordes who invaded long ago, says TonyHill.net, an online supplier of peacock feathers. In some areas around the Mediterranean, the feathers are regarded with superstition because they resemble an "evil eye."

Ancient Greece

In ancient Greece mythology, the peacock was a symbol of pride and sacred to Hera, queen of the Olympian deities. It was believed that Hera rode in a chariot drawn by two of the birds.

Eastern Traditions

In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the peacock is seen as a representative of worldly (as opposed to heavenly) matters, says Buddhist website khandro.net. In Nepal, the unique coloration of the peacock's feathers is thought to be a gift from the god Indra.

A Heraldic Symbol

Peacocks and peacock feathers are a frequent heraldic symbol found on coats of arms and family crests. Both the bird and its feathers represent beauty, power and knowledge, says FleurDeLisDesigns.com.

Source:

TonyHill.net: About Peacocks and Peacock Feathers

Khandro.net: Peacock: Luck, Good and Bad

Fleur-de-Lis Designs: The Meanings Behind the Symbols