Pair of Mayura Lamps

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Throughout the ages, lamps have played an important symbolic role in the Hindu way of life. It was the Vedic idiom 'tamso ma jyotirgamaya,' meaning lead me to light from darkness, which first deified the concept of light. The earliest ritual lamp was the crevice in the wall and later the earthen lamp. Over time, various symbolic motifs merged with the concept of the lamp, leading to highly potent ritual tools. Indeed, no ritual can be performed and no offering be made without the presence of a lamp.

The peacock (mayura) symbolizes immortality, love, courtship, fertility, regal pomp and protection. In addition it is the vehicle of Karttikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati, also known as Murugan, and one of the most popular deities in South India.

Here the bird with its ribbed front body and finely detailed feathers stands majestically on a circular lotus base. Its tail curls up at the back, and from its partially- open beak issues the slightly curving band, in front of which, joined to the lotus base, projects the actual receptacle for the oil and wick.