Issue 1225 – Peacocks – August 18, 2023
I was watching a murder mystery on television, and part of the crime was solved when the protagonist remembered that the peacock was a symbol of early Christianity. That clue led them to something else and eventually to solving the murder.
I knew the peacock was beautiful, and I have always admired its spectacular display. I also knew that people of great wealth and power often kept them for their unique beauty. They are a staple ingredient of the culture of the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere.
Yet, I had never heard of the peacock as a symbol of Christianity before. I was familiar with the ichthys (fish), cross and trident (hidden cross), the Chi-rho and others but never the peacock.
Being the curious nerd that I am, I had to fact-check it. Sure enough, it is true.
I can see the ichthys (or ichthus) and the cross as symbols, but why the peacock?
The peacock only appears twice in the Old Testament as an exotic bird brought for the king and not at all in the New Testament.
For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet of ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. 1 Kings 10:22
For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. 2 Chronicles 9:21
The peacock became a symbol based on a few facts of biology and some mythology.
Apparently, the peacock sheds its beautiful feathers once a year, regrowing more brilliant feathers each time. That symbolized the death and resurrection of Christ and our death and rebirth with Christ.
The many “eyes” on the peacock tail reminded some people of the all-seeing Spirit of God.
A prevalent myth in that part of the world was that a peacock’s body never decomposed. While that is obviously incorrect, it was used to represent that Christ did not rot away in death but was resurrected.
In ancient Christian art, the peacock was often depicted drinking from a vase, symbolizing the eternal life given through the living water of Christ.
The peacock symbology was primarily in the Easter church in the first few centuries after Christ, which explains why not many are familiar with the imagery.
As well as checking out the peacock, I did a quick internet search for symbols of Christianity and here is some of what I found. Some you will know, others perhaps not.
Cross, Crucifix, Orthodox cross, Celtic cross
Ichthys/Ichthus
Chi-Rho
Dove
Trinitarian rings (in a wide range of styles)
Candles and lit oil lamps (light of the world)
Star – patterned after the star of David
Bread and Cup
Rainbow
Agnus Dei (Lamb of God – with or without a cross)
Bible
Cross and crown
Alpha and Omega
Crown of thorns
IHS (an abbreviation derived from the first three letters
(iota = i + eta = h + sigma = s) of the Greek word
“Jesus.”)
Circle – everlasting life, the bride of Christ
There are likely many more out there that I didn’t find in my brief search.
Jesus and His church can be symbolized in many ways. Still, none can fully express the reality of Christ, His love, mercy, sacrifice and integral part of the nature of our one triune God.
Though lacking in some areas, all these symbols are meant to point people to Christ and give Him glory. May we do the same with our lives.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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