some crafty peacock inspiration

My Granny was Very superstitious.  Drop a spoon, you’ll get a visitor. Stir with a knife, you’ll stir up strife. Don’t put new shoes on the table or leave an old calendar on the wall. An itchy palm means you’re coming into money – rub it on your arse, it’s sure to come fast! Her life must have been fraught with watching  cutlery and itching

Crochet Peacock by Ashley Casteel of New Philadelphia, Ohio. 

What has this got to do with peacocks? Well, she believed peacock feathers in the house were bad luck. Once, my mum made her a table cloth decorated with peacocks painted in hobbytex. The first night Granny had it on the table, she had an argument with Grandpa (not a rare event, I should add.) Granny blamed the peacocks on the tablecloth and promptly burnt the table cloth in the wood stove!! I do wonder why Mum made her a table cloth with peacocks on it in the first place, but perhaps that superstition hadn’t come to light before? Or perhaps Mum was being controversial. 

You see, my Mum, on the other hand, had a bunch of peacock feathers in a big black vase on the piano all through the seventies and eighties. Yes! Very bohemian and exotic! Much to Granny's horror!

origami peacock 

In Greek Myth, Hera turned her faithful watchful servant, Argus, said to have many eyes, into a peacock after Hermes had slain him. Which is why the peacock is also believed to be a bird of protection and safe guarding. 

 felt bag 

A peacock feather within the home helps to safe guard the house. The feather is a symbol of spirituality, with the feather markings representing the third eye, rather than the evil eye. Peacock's also represent fidelity, being a monogamist  bird and said to die of grief or remain single if it loses its mate.

Reshni Nair's Cross stitch design

But overall, the peacock is a wondrous beauty. With the sumptuous jewel like coloured feathers that shimmer in a magnificent arrangement. What’s not to like?

Peacock feather cushion design and tutorial by Positively Splendid