Peacock (Period)

Peacock in his pride (Period)

The peacock is a colorful bird, the medieval archetype of vanity.  Its wings are close by default; it is much more important to blazon his tail.  By default, the peacock’s tail extends behind him, close and sweeping the ground, as in the arms of the Princes of Wiedt, 1605 [Siebmacher 16].  At one point in the Society’s history, this posture was blazoned as “pavonated [to base]”; but the term is no longer used, the posture being recognized as the default for the bird.

Perhaps the best-known posture for the peacock is “in his pride”:  affronty (or turned slightly), head facing dexter, and the tail expanded to display its colors.  The peacock in his pride is found in period armory, in the arms of Halle, c.1340 [Zurich 476].

A peacock’s “proper” coloration is a blend of blue and green, which will conflict with either tincture.  For related charges, see firebird, simurgh.

The Baron of One Thousand Eyes bears:  Or, a peacock in his pride, head to sinister, within a laurel wreath azure.

Eleanor de la Mare bears:  Erminois, a peacock proper within a bordure wavy azure.

Eleonora di Gerardo bears:  Vert, three peacocks in their pride argent.

Ceallach mac Domhnaill bears:  Argent, three peacocks in their pride proper.