A friend of mine created a peacock metaphor and she has used it very often. So the word “peacock” showed up in our texting regularly. I felt that it was a little unfair to the beautiful bird. I loved one beautiful green peacock in our local zoo when I was a child. He was probably the only non-depressed animal in the under-funded zoo, despite the fact that his enclosure, which was deliberately arranged to mimic his native Southeast Asian environment, looked dusty and he himself looked like he could use a good shower. He paraded, he displayed his splendid tail, and he looked quiet and content.
He had a wife, a peahen, who had a grey-white tale. Now as I think of it, probably the peahen was supposed to be snow white, but the lack of regular washing or cleansing made her grey. Anyway, the peahen looked just as depressed as other animals, none of her husband’s spirit or energy.
As you know, my regular typing of the word peacock somehow provoked a recommendation for a peacock video. I don’t usually click on these irrelevant things, but for some reason I did click on this one and was surprised to learn something about peacocks.
It turns out that peacocks are one of the few bird species, in which the male birds never care for their family. Male birds of most of the other species are model husbands, who would help build the nests, fly here and there to catch worms to feed the young, and some even continue to take care of the young when their partners die or fly away.
So I am surprised to know that peacocks are not at all like other birds. Why? I mean just look at a peahen. With such a big tail, it can be difficult for her to hunt. She has several mouths to feed while not getting any help from her partner.
Suddenly I don’t feel peacocks are so beautiful anymore.
I wrote the above yesterday, but this morning I started to think differently. Peacocks have their own interests and volition. Why do I want to judge it (don’t know if I should use it, him or them here, but I opt for it). It is still a beautiful bird despite its disregard for fatherly duties.
This reminds me of my father who was miserable under my mother’s bitter complaints and constant antagonism. Let the man be free. Let the woman be free too. Why did I want to mold my parents into an image of good parents? I had not even realized I was thinking this way until the peacock story emerged. Writing reveals my weaknesses, which I don’t even know I possess.
Haoyan Do 
So often’ The Truth Hurts 🤣😎🙃
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Peacocks are fascinating creatures. The male is more flamboyant, takes no care of the family and is relatively calm compared to other birds. I’ve only seen peacocks in real life once on vacation, they’re a little scary but beautiful.
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So true. I only saw them in zoos and they are beautiful birds. And quite big. When I was a child, I felt they were huge birds and could be scary
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They are quite big and can be a bit scary.
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The male display of colour might not be only for mating, but may serve to attract a predator so his less obvious gray white mate would be able to escape with the offspring. Just a theory. It is not quite the same thing, but I know the ruffed grouse male will run or fly at a predator and sacrifice himself so the hen and the chicks can escape.
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I have to google grouse and it looks like a beautiful chicken. I believe I’ve never seen a grouse in my life, but probably I just mistook them as regular chicken… What a heroic bird. It deserves our praise. However am I imposing my human opinion on a bird?
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I think animals probably share more traits with us than we give credit for. Maybe our own bravery is a form of survival strategy. I heard someone say once that we are essentially a survival mechanism for bacteria, lol.
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Delightful reading, enjoyed the post. Peacocks are also regarded as signs of rebirth and regeneration by some cultures and keeping peacock feathers are thought to be protective because of the ‘eyes’ on them. 😊
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Now you mention it, I think it does look very distinct and very felicitous. I can feel the energy of rebirth and regeneration. Thank you for stopping by. I was away for six months, but I missed the WP community.
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Glad you’re back!
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Thank you very much!!!
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The males are too busy preening to do anything useful!
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