Symbolism in Peacock the Vehicle or Vahana of Hindu God Murugan

Peacock is the vehicle or Vahana of Hindu God Murugan, who is also known as Kartik, Subramanya, Skanda and Shanmukha. The blue color of peacock represents infinity. Peacock is noted for its excessive pride – this is a negative trait – but here it symbolically represents the pride that a seeker of Truth should have for Supreme Self. By being proud of Supreme Self, he/she shunts out all other diversions and constantly meditates on the Supreme Being.

In most images of Muruga, the peacock is shown clutching serpent with its claws. The serpent represents ego and fleeting pleasures. The peacock does not kill the serpent even though both are sworn enemies. The peacock keeps the serpent under control indicating the need to enjoy worldly pleasures through discrimination and by not overindulging in it.

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Murugan or Kartik is the commander of the divine army. The mount of a warrior had to be an animal or bird that is free from laziness, always alert, and active. All these qualities are found in the peacock. A peacock is not only beautiful to look at, but is known to be tireless and sleeps very little. It is always alert and shows great agility. Besides these qualities, peacocks also display loyalty to their own kind—just as a soldier is expected to be skilled and beloved by his comrades.

Murugan or Subrahmanya is considered the epitome of masculine beauty, and among birds, the peacock’s beauty is incomparable. The qualities that a Kshatriya (warrior) should possess—skill in battle, loyalty, protection of women, waking early—are all seen in the peacock. The very tail feathers for which the peacock is admired are also used by it as a shield. At the same time, the peacock can be fierce; its tactics in fighting snakes are remarkable. It is perhaps for all these reasons that the peacock is Murugan’s mount.