The symbol of the elephant in the East is interpreted as an image of wisdom, strength, prudence. As you know, the inhabitants of India consider this animal sacred until today. His image is part of the coat of arms of this country. There he is associated with royal dignity and sacred wisdom, power, invincibility. It is possible that many of us have repeatedly heard that this is a good symbol. An elephant in African countries has the same meaning as in America or Europe, a lion, an eagle.
Basically, in search of the meaning of the symbol of this powerful animal, one should nevertheless turn to the East. For example, we learn what the elephant in China symbolizes: royal power and such qualities of a ruler as powerful intellect, wisdom, greatness, victory over death. In the same country, this animal is associated with fidelity and honor, prosperity and wealth, happiness and longevity, peacefulness and prudence.
What does the elephant symbolize in one of the main world religions - Buddhism? First of all, it is a symbol of spiritual knowledge. Buddhists also recognize him as a sacred creation, because, according to legend, it was these royal animals that the birth of the Buddha was announced. If we examine this phenomenon more carefully, we are talking about a white elephant, since it was in this form that he appeared to Queen Maya in her dream.
Now we turn to the Greco-Roman tradition and find out what the elephant symbolizes. Here, this powerful animal also, first of all, means wisdom. If in Buddhism it is an attribute of the Buddha, then the aforementioned tradition considers it to belong to Mercury. According to the ancient Roman writer and statesman Pliny, the elephant is a religious symbol. This is a royal creature that worships the Sun, the stars. At the new moon, it is cleansed by bathing in the rivers and calling to Heaven.
In the eyes of the ancient Roman warriors, the symbol in question was associated with victory, and in art it represented fame. As in the countries of the East, in ancient Rome the elephant was a symbol of victory over death, as well as longevity, health. Next in line is medieval Europe. There, in ancient times, elephants were considered to be fabulous, mythical creatures, like a unicorn. Paintings are preserved, in which the elephant is depicted in Paradise, and other paintings represent him as an adversary of the dragon. At the same time, Europeans do not associate this noble animal with aggression, but it is a symbol of power and wisdom.
What does the elephant symbolize in religion? The Christian picture of the world and medieval books about animals, as well as the late antique Physiologist (Physiologus) glorify the chastity of these creatures. It was believed that in order to reproduce offspring, elephants needed to eat the roots of a magical plant - mandrake. The above sources report that during the reproduction of elephant offspring, the elephant protects it from the evil snake.
It is interesting to note that in the Bible books Satan is called the Ancient Serpent and the Dragon. And we already know that in the myths of medieval Europe, elephants defeated dragons. Another religion is Hinduism, among many gods it is represented by the deity of wisdom and prosperity of Ganesha. The god Ganesha is depicted as a man of full build, having an elephant head with one tusk. The creature sits astride a Wahan, which is a rat. Ganesha can have either two or many hands.
What symbolizes the elephant in Feng Shui: Here it is a favorable sign associated with stability and prosperity. This animal, according to Feng Shui, has the ability to draw abundance, luck and prosperity into houses through the trunk. To achieve this goal, an elephant figure must be placed on one of the window sills. In this case, the trunk should be deployed towards the favorable star. About which star patronizes the owner of the house, a horoscope can tell. Instead of a figurine, you can have an image of this symbol in your home, and even better, there is one and the other. As a talisman, even plush children's toys of elephants are not bad.