Every year during Thaipusam, observed widely in Singapore and across various parts of the world, Singapore’s streets come alive with devotees honouring Lord Murugan by bearing kavadi, often adorned with vibrant peacock feathers.
These feathers are more than decoration; they pay homage to Murugan’s sacred mount – the majestic peacock, a powerful Hindu symbol of purity and guardianship.
This deep symbolic meaning lies at the heart of the Peranakan Museum’s new exhibition, Peacock Power: Beauty and Symbolism Across Cultures, shining a spotlight on the peacock.
Opening on Oct 31, in conjunction with Singapore’s 60th year of independence, the exhibition explores the peacock as a timeless symbol of beauty, power, and divinity across Asia’s many cultural landscapes.
Featuring over 100 works from the National Collection and key lenders, the exhibition showcases a diverse array of objects, from ceramics and ritual items to luxurious textiles and jewellery, tracing the evolution and migration of the peacock motif across regions, belief systems, and artistic styles.
The peacock’s influence extends beyond religious symbolism, appearing in exquisite jewellery, home decor, and fashion, with each piece reflecting stories of cultural exchange and artistic inspiration.
A key highlight is the inclusion of a kavadi used during Thaipusam, displayed alongside video interviews with members of the Chetti Melaka community, offering personal insights into ritual practices and heritage.
Richly embroidered Peranakan wedding attire adorned with peacock imagery is presented alongside Chinese hanging scrolls, Javanese batik from Pekalongan, and courtly ornaments – each artefact revealing the peacock’s symbolic significance within its unique cultural context.
Spanning intricate textiles, ceremonial art, and traditional garments, the exhibition offers a rich tapestry of the peacock’s enduring presence across Asia.
Peacock Power runs until Aug, 30, 2026, at the Special Exhibitions Gallery of the Peranakan Museum, with admission charges applicable.
Peacock Paradise, an immersive digital zone on Level 2, offers visitors a holographic experience with peacocks in motion, allowing visitors to see different species of peacocks up close and observe their natural behaviours in vivid detail.
The exhibition concludes with Thousand Eyes, a contemporary installation by Singaporean artist Ernest Goh, who reinterprets the peacock’s tail through a modern ecological lens.
For more information, visit www.nhb.gov.sg/peranakanmuseum
