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Ocelli

Ocellus is the name for peacock eye-like spots on the feathers. Many refer to them as eyes.

This is based on Greek mythology. Hera - queen of the gods - was jealous of her husband Zeus' many human and non-human mistresses. When Zeus took up with Io - one of Hera's priestesses. When Zeus saw Hera coming, he turned Io into the 1st cow. Hera liked the cow and was suspicious, so she insisted Zeus give her the cow.

Poor Io was then guarded by Argus of the 100 eyes. Zeus got Hermes to help him lull Argus to sleep and free Io. Somehow - the details are murky - Hermes somehow chopped off Argus' head and Io was freed - somewhat.

After that, Hera was not inclined to lose Argus' useful eyes, so she took them and inserted them into the tail feathers of her favorite bird...the peacock.

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14y ago

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