Pre-Christian Art: The Peacock and the eternity of life

A ceramics plate with the so called
"peacock feather" pattern
made in Deruta, Italy.

The first Christians used symbols and representations with hidden meanings, because of the fact that it was forbidden to them to worship the images of Christ,  the Virgin Mary and everything that was related to them.

The peacock in pre-Christian art (2nd-4th century A.D.) was the symbol of resurrection, renewal and eternal life. These hidden meanings were inspired by the fact that the peacock loses his feathers in the fall and sees them grow again in the spring therefore replacing them annually.

Additionally -  as a cultural heritage  from ancient Rome mythology -the peacock is linked to the myth of Hera/Juno, the goddess of  sky and stars: the flesh of the peacock does not decay after death, the bird is immortal.

The entrance to the Vatican courtyards are guarded by two bronze peacocks (copies) like in the imagery of the entrance to the Paradise.

The peacocks in the Vatican courtyards.

The original bronze statues from the 2nd century A.D. are safeguarded in one of the aisles of the Vatican Museums. Herewith follows a detail of one of the original statues:

The original peacock from the 2nd century A.D.
(detail) 

The golden reflexions are given by the fact that visitors have been touching the bronze statues of the peacocks for hundred of years to receive good luck!