Sublime Order of the White Peacock

 On the Origins of the Sublime Order of the White Peacock

In the Fu Manchu novels by Sax Rohmer, the Sublime Order of the White Peacock is a secret society that serves as one of the primary antagonistic organizations opposing the protagonist, Sir Denis Nayland Smith. The organization takes its name from the white peacock, which is a symbol of immortality in some Asian cultures.

Historical References

According to Daraul, the Order of the Peacock Angel is a Yazidi-influenced secret society. The group subscribes to a belief in a power governing human affairs, symbolized by a peacock. Recruits are instructed through a series of mental and physical exercises intended to place the experience of emotion under control of the will.

In 1913, a version of the cult was brought to Britain by a Syrian whose name is only known to initiates. Daraul claims to have encountered members of this organization in the suburbs of London and attended their rituals. Daraul described a ceremony where robed members engaged in an ecstatic dance in the presence of a large statue of a peacock.

Membership grew to encompass "several hundred members throughout Britain" and "three lodges in the United States". Some members were said to keep live peacocks. As a sign of identification, the right hand is placed, with the fingers spread out (perhaps to represent the tail of the peacock) on the left breast, just above the heart. Daraul appears to be the only source of information for the existence of this group.

[ Secret Societies Yesterday and Today by Arkon Daraul. Subsequently reissued as: A History of Secret Societies. ]

Yazdanism Religion

Yazidis are monotheists. They believe God created the world and entrusted it into the care of seven Holy Beings, called the Seven Mysteries. Preeminent among these is Tawûsê Melek, the Peacock Angel.

Tawûsê Melek, or Melek Taus in English publications, is uncontroversially translated as "peacock angel". In art and sculpture, Tawûsê Melek is depicted as a peacock. Interestingly, peacocks are not native to the lands where Tawûsê Melek is worshiped.

However to early Christians, the peacock represented immortality. According to folk belief, its flesh does not decay after death. This symbolism passed into Yazidi beliefs. Consequently, peacock imagery adorns Yazidi shrines, gateways, graves, and houses of worship.

Peacocks and Peahens

Peafowl include three species:

• Pavo cristatus - the blue peafoul of India and Sri Lanka.
• Pavo muticus - the green peafowl of Myanmar, Indonesia, and Java.
• Afropavo congensis - the mbulu peafowl of the Congo Basin, Africa.

White (leucistic) Indian Peafoul

Occasionally, peafowl appear with white plumage. Although albino peafowl do exist, this is quite rare. Nearly all white peafowl are not, in fact, albinos.

White peafoul possess a genetic mutation called leucism. This causes an overall reduction in pigment. In peafowl, this results in a complete lack of plumage pigment. However, leucism leaves peafoul with blue eyes.

By contrast, true albino peafowl feature a complete lack of melanin. This results in white plumage. However, albino peafoul possess red or pink eyes. Furthermore, leucistic peachicks are born yellow and become fully white as they mature.

Chinese Peafoul

At one time, green peafowl might be found in southwestern China. However, it's not likely they were indigenous. It's far more likely they originally migrated from Burma. While the phoenix prominently appears in Chinese art, myth, and religion, the peacock does not.

Conclusions

I suggest:

• The Council of Seven oversees the operations of an international confederation of powerful secret societies.
• The Council of Seven provides top-tier leadership and authority for its member secret societies.
• The Council of Seven functions as a sort of United Nations for secret societies.

• The Sublime Order of the White Peacock is a powerful secret society.
• Members of this organization embrace an odd combination of religious traditions from Assyria, Persia, Hindustan, Tibet, and Mongolia.
• While the organization was headquartered in Honan in 1915, it was not a Chinese organization, at least not in origin.

• The Si-Fan began as a patriotic organization and desired to restore China to the former glory of the Ming Dynasty. 
• Leadership and control of this organization was quickly seized by Fu Manchu. 
• The Si-Fan was, is, and forever shall be, Fu Manchu's personal tool - more or less.

At least, that's how these organizations are characterized in their respective early years. Over time, these organizations form complex and intricate relationships. Consequently, their original natures and functions evolve, as does their membership.