The Spiritual Symbolism Of Peacocks | Love And Dream Meanings

Peacock Symbolism

The spiritual symbolism of the peacock has been recognised in every corner of the world for centuries – even longer, perhaps!

From Asia to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. There are myths and legends involving the symbolism of the peacock.

At the root of all of this is the peacock’s spiritual essence. How we as human beings identify with what it embodies.

The common peacock – the one we’re all familiar with. With its greens, blues and purples is most associated with self-care (and its foil, vanity).

For much of history, the peacock was a symbol of the nobility and particularly of royalty.

As a result, many kings in Europe would purchase a peacock or two for their estate.

We take from the peacock that we should take care in how we present ourselves. We should take pride in our physical form.

But more importantly, it reminds us that it is okay to display ourselves to the world and that to do so is noble and right.

It also warns of vanity, because to care too much about shallow things is even worse than not caring about them at all.

Peacock Feathers

The distinct eye-like patterns on their feathers represent vision and forethought, even prescience.

The ever watchful eyes also represent awakening, especially to the karmic truths that populate our spiritual journeys.

Many use the symbol of the peacock as an emblem of spiritual awakening and the awakening of the kundalini. Though the kundalini itself is often represented as a coiled snake.

In many traditions, the peacock is a symbol of kinship and can act as a spiritual guardian.

This is because it is the physical plane’s version of the Phoenix, and represents the sacrifice of immortality to engage in the spiritual journey.

This has symbolism relevant to the universal ascension process, representing the transient nature of individual consciousness.

Phoenix symbolism also lends a protective element to the peacock. As it represents resurrection and renewal, as well as immortality.

In many cultures, people wear peacock feathers as protective charms against negative energy.

Other types of the peacock have their own specific symbolic meanings:

Peacock Symbolism: White Peacock Symbolism

 The white peacock appears identical to a common peacock, but instead of the vibrant colours, it is entirely white.

This type of peacock symbolises love, compassion and self-care as well, but it also represents a higher sense of awareness.

It represents the idea of us as spiritual animals:

We are not our physical forms, not when it comes down to it.

We are souls, or spiritual beings, experiencing the universe through life on the physical plane.

The universe is within us, as one consciousness experiencing itself.

The white peacock reminds us of the bigger picture.

But it also symbolises purity. Clear from negative energy, pure in intention, action and thought. The white peacock is a symbol of pure light and unconditional love.

High Vibrational Energy

It represents the ascended masters. Those whose purity in high vibrational energy was such that they could transcend the physical and guide humanity from the spiritual plane.

Most importantly, it differs from the symbolism of the common peacock. It represents a higher state of being, humility and an absolute disregard for the ego as it dissolves.

For those people whose spirit animal (or totem) is a white peacock, they find that people are drawn to them.

They are best placed to offer spiritual guidance and are often attracted to such professions.

They find pleasure and fulfilment in helping others on their spiritual path and hope to achieve enlightenment by doing so.

Peacock Symbolism: Golden Peacock Meaning

The other type of peacock that holds separate symbolism from the others is the infamous golden peacock.

We can see the three different types of peacock symbolism as representative of the various stages of the spiritual journey.

The standard type symbolising life as a physical being. With all the trappings of the ego and all the transformative experiences of life as a human.

The white peacock symbolising a higher state of thinking, of life as a spiritual being helping to guide those living in the physical.

The golden peacock, which symbolises life as a cosmic being.

Being aware of the oneness of all things and of our place as the universe in motion, experiencing itself through billions upon billions of lives.

It represents the highest level of consciousness, beyond the individual. The core light of the universe – consciousness.

Peacock Symbolism: Dream Of Peacock Meaning

Dreaming of a peacock can mean a number of different things. The good news is, it is almost always good news!

Immediately, it can signal a period of good fortune.

This is particularly true in matters of honour and prestige, meaning that you might soon be recognised for an achievement and people will look up to you because of it.

So be prepared for a promotion or an award of some kind, or even some badly needed praise to come your way very soon.

Peacock dreams can also signal a period of renewal, and of transformation.

Just as the peacock renews its feathers every year – and its immortal cousin, the Phoenix, resurrects from its ashes – we must shake off the old to make room for the new.

Now is the time to drop any excess baggage from your life and dedicate yourself more fully to the essential things.

It might also be time to use that space in your life to try some new things – after all, transformation always follows discovery.

You will find that you will learn a lot about yourself from this process of change and transformation, discovering a reinvigorated drive and lust for life.

The white and golden peacocks appearing in dreams has an extra meaning.

These often symbolise a sort of spiritual awakening, which then leads to the transformation and change.

Usually this an excellent sign as it means that you are following the right path for your spiritual journey.

Bad Omens

However, there are some bad omens from dreams with peacocks:

Dreams where you are being attacked by (or are otherwise fearful of) a peacock usually symbolise your fear that you are too proud or vain.

This is an over-identification with the physical form that you as a spiritual being inhabit, and letting go of being overly vain or proud is very important for spiritual progress.

Don’t take this to mean that you should stop taking care of yourself completely or never be proud, just to temper these a little.

On the other hand, dreams, where you are attempting to chase or interact with a peacock. Symbolise that you are struggling to express yourself or to be who you truly are.

The essence of the peacock is awareness of your worth, of your own intrinsic value.

Being too bashful, closed off and afraid of attention can hamper your spiritual evolution – besides depriving the world of your talents and perspective.

Self-expression is at the core of peacock symbolism, and for many people is the among the first lessons they learn on their spiritual journey.

Peacock Symbolism: Peacock Love Symbolism

Peacocks also have a strong symbolic link to love.

There is one Buddhist story that encapsulates this symbolism:

According to legend, there was a person named Kuan Yin.

She was offered the chance to become immortal but chose instead to remain on Earth to aid humanity in their spiritual evolution.

Kuan Yin remained on Earth, teaching others to become more spiritually attuned and aware by cultivating friendship and kinship.

She taught that compassion was the path to enlightenment, and demonstrated her love and compassion by devoting her life to helping others and in doing so sacrificing her immortality.

Eventually, she became a deity, and the story goes that before she left for the spiritual realm, she summoned a bird with dull, brown feathers and ran her hands over its plumage.

The feathers were imbued with colour and many watchful eyes.

And so the peacock was created by Kuan Yin, to serve as a watchful eye for her to keep tabs on humanity.

Compassion

The symbol of the peacock came to represent her compassion and love for humanity as it watched over us for her.

That’s one story, and there are many like it.

What is common among them is the idea of compassion and love.

As the symbol of the peacock tells us to love ourselves for who we are. It tells us, all the same, to love others for who they are.

It teaches us to accept our flaws and to accept the weaknesses of others, even as it pushes us towards transformation.

Because the peacock is a symbol of love in the universe, a reminder that our spirit guides are always with us and ready to lend a helping hand when needed.

It is a symbol of self-love and self-reliance, even as it provides us with protection from the ills of life.