The Peacock Feather

The forthcoming seventh edition of Code d’ Odalisque corrects many omissions. One of them is that it includes among the emblems of an odalisque, the peacock’s feather. In European depictions of odalisques they are often shown holding peacock feathers. From the beginnings of Code d’ Odalisque, this was also a feature of play. An odalisque owns a peacock feather. It is a traditional symbol of her status and her craft. Accidentally this was left out of earlier versions of the Code, then in subsequent revisions it was not regarded as important. This oversight has now been corrected. 

What, though, does the feather symbolize? What does it mean? Why are peacock feathers associated with odalisque eroticism? The peacock can have many meanings. In Christian symbolism, for example, the peacock usually signifies pride and arrogance and hence the Fall. That symbolism does not apply to odalisques. Or else, in many traditions, it symbolizes vanity and narcissism. There may be a hint of that in this case, but it is not the relevant symbolism either. Rather, in this case the peacock’s feather represents the idea of EXCESS. Surely, there is nothing more excessive in nature than the peacock’s tail! It is completely excessive. In eastern traditions, the peacock feather signifies excess and so by extension debauchery and indulgence. This is why odalisques are shown holding them. They can be used as ticklers, but mainly their purpose is symbolic: when a naked woman is shown holding a peacock’s feather it signifies her willingness to engage in sexual excess.

Traditionally, an odalisque’s feather is referred to ironically as her “weapon”. It is in contrast to the sword wielded by the Slavekeeper. The Master and the slave = the sword and the feather. The sword and the feather is a symbolic theme in Code d’ Odalisque. The new edition of the Code finally acknowledges it.