Meaning
A feather in your cap is something that you are proud of. It is an accomplishment. It gives me the impression of collecting. Each time you win, it is another feather that you collect to put in your cap. It is similar to someone who has a trophy room to show off their awards.
Example: I won employee of the month. It’s not much, but its another feather in my cap.
Origin
Wearing feathers in headwear goes back a long time. In medieval England, knights had feathers on their helmets. These were called plumes (or panaches). They showed wealth or the family’s colors and were used as ornamentation. Over time, wearing feathers on clothing became popular.
Hat feathers became a big business as feather-working became a big business. Exotic birds (peacocks, ostriches, and quails) were brought to Europe and farmed for their feathers. Apparently, a lot of these birds were easily kept. European explorers brought back exotic birds from their travels. A lot of birds came from South America. These exotic feathers became a symbol of power and influence.
A few cultures independently developed the practice of adding a feather to their head gear to mark a victory. The first mention of this practice comes from Richard Hansard in 1599. He was an early travel writer and in his Description of Hungary, he noted, “It hath been an antient custom among them that none should wear a fether but he who had killed a Turk.” They were also common in the Ottoman empire as part of their military clothing.
Indigenous North American people are most associated with a feather in their cap as their headdresses were extravagant. Feathers could be earned by public service, protecting the community, capturing resources from an enemy, or killing an enemy. The headdresses were similar to military badges today. Nowadays, feathers can be earned through military service, graduation, sobriety, life events, or career achievement according to Native Partnership.
Feather Meaning
For Native Americans, feathers are revered and are symbolic of honor, power, wisdom, trust, strength, and freedom. Different feathers were symbolic of different things. Here is a short list of feathers and their meaning (from Indian Traders):
Eagle feather – bravery, strength, courage, and hope.
Crow feather – balance, skill, and cunning
Falcon feather – speed, movement, and soul healing
Dove feather – kindness, love, and gentleness
Bluebird feather – happiness
Hawk feather – guardianship and far-sightedness
Owl feather – wisdom
Raven feather – creation and knowledge
Turkey feather – pride, fertility, and abundance
Woodpecker feather – self-discovery
Wren feather – protection
Swallow feather – love and peace
Kingfisher feather – luck
Which feather represents you?
