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How They Are Harvested
Peacocks are only the males of the species known as "peafowl," but the reason people always call them peacocks is because they are known for their colorful feathers, which only the males of the species have. The males have around 150 tail feathers with color "eye" designs at the ends, which they shed annually. Farmers who have domesticated the animals collect the molted feathers and sell them to people who will use them in decorations, jewelry and costumes.
Why They Shine
The multicolored design and iridescent sheen of the peacock feathers isn't easy to recreate, which is why they are so prized in the use of art and decoration. They shimmer because of a visual effect called "interference," which is caused by the many tiny branches that make up the design of each feather. Each tiny branch has a series of indents along the length, which causes the light to bounce off of it and appear to glitter. This is also how hummingbirds and butterflies appear to have an iridescent shimmer.
How They Are Used
Peacock feathers have been used in many different art forms for centuries. Peacocks are native to India, Pakistan and other parts of Western Asia, where they were a status symbol of royalty and the wealthy upper class. Images of servants fanning sultans and kings with fans made of peacock feathers comes to mind. By the late 1800s, the use of peacock feathers in design was becoming more popular from Western Europe and on to the United States. They were incorporated in fabric prints for furniture as well as accessories such as hair barrettes.
Symbolic History
In Greece and the Roman Empire, the peacock feather was the symbol for goddesses Hera and Juno. Juno rode in a chariot drawn by two giant peacocks. Mahamayuri-vidyarajni, or "Mother-of-Buddhas," in the Buddhist mythology rode a peacock-drawn vehicle as well. Because of these associations, the peacock feather has come to symbolize bounty and physical wealth. Peacock feathers, which are sacred in India, are burnt to help keep away famine and disease. There were also times in history when the eye of the feather was thought to be "evil" and unlucky to keep in the home.