We came across this Christmas tree in a gift shop last week. Very pretty, but not your usual tree. So I got my camera out. The first picture is without a flash, and the second is with one. Do you have any idea why it's upside down? I don't, so give me your thoughts. At first I thought they were trying to make it look like a big bunch of grapes, but that doesn't make any sense. But wait, what's that perched on top of the tree? An angel, maybe a star? No, it's a peacock! Did you know there are many different colors of peacocks? The last picture is of a white one. Of course I didn't take this picture, but it's so strange and beautiful, I just had to show you. Topping a Christmas tree with a peacock is not quite as inapropriate as you'd think. Peacocks were brought to Egypt more than three thousand years ago by the Phoenicians, and are known to have been kept and reared in Babylon. They are in many early Christian mosaics and paintings. You see, there was an ancient legend that the flesh of the peacock did not decay after death, so early Christians adopted it as a symbol of immortality. It was also associated with the resurrection of Christ because it sheds it's feathers every year and grows newer, brighter ones. These birds are associated with pride because of the way they strut and show their tailfeathers off, but they do exhibit one important Christian attribute. They prefer peace and harmony and will avoid commotion. They are birds of peace. So what better thing to put on a Christmas tree? "God created...every winged bird according to it's kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said "...let the birds increase on the earth." Genesis 1:21
3 comments:
A beautiful Christmas tree, the peacock makes a great topper. Upside down? The only reasons I can think of is maybe the peacock decoration was too heavy for the top of the tree and would have more support if they did this. Or maybe just an artistic statement?
The white peacock is so beautiful, our local aviary has a breeding pair. I always associated peacocks with India, I didn't realize they were in Egypt that long ago.
Have a great weekend,
Judy
I like the story of the peacock, never heard that before, the feathers are beautiful on the tree, but i do not like an upside down tree. i am trying to think WHY they would do that and can not think of a reason, maybe they were trying to make the body the bird?
I seem to recall - this is buried deep in the gray cells (cells, not hair!) - that for a fashion statement a couple of years ago some designers had created an upside-down Christmas tree. Or maybe it was to save floor space. Whatever, it was a fashion-ish kind of thing.
Love the peacock feathers!
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