What does the elephant symbolize? Wisdom and strength

The elephant symbol in the East is treated asan image of wisdom, strength, prudence. As you know, the inhabitants of India consider this animal sacred to this day. Its image is part of the coat of arms of this country. There he is associated with the 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 thisa powerful animal, one should still turn to the East. For example, we learn what the elephant in China symbolizes: the royal power and such qualities of the ruler as mighty intellect, wisdom, greatness, victory over death. In the same country, this animal is associated with fidelity and honor, prosperity and wealth, happiness and longevity, peace and prudence.

What does the elephant symbolize in one of the mainworld religions - Buddhism? First of all, it is a symbol of spiritual knowledge. Buddhists also recognize it as a sacred creation, because, according to legend, it was this royal animal that proclaimed the birth of the Buddha. If we consider this phenomenon more carefully, we are talking about a white elephant, since it was in this form that he appeared to Queen Maia in her dream.

Now let us turn to the Greco-Roman tradition andwe learn about what the elephant symbolizes. Here, this mighty animal also, above all, means wisdom. If Buddhism is an attribute of the Buddha, then the aforementioned tradition considers it to be an attribute of Mercury. According to the ancient Roman writer and statesman Pliny, the elephant is a religious symbol. This is a royal being that worships the Sun, the stars. On the new moon it is purified by bathing in rivers and calling to Heaven.

In the eyes of ancient Roman soldiers, thethe symbol was associated with victory, and in art represented glory. As in the East, in ancient Rome, the elephant was a symbol of victory over death, as well as longevity, health. The next is medieval Europe. There, in ancient times, elephants were reckoned as fairy, mythical creatures, like a unicorn. There are paintings on which the elephant is depicted in Paradise, and other canvases represent him as the enemy 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 "Physiologus" ("Physiologus") glorify the chastity of these creatures. It was believed that in order to reproduce the offspring, the elephants must eat the roots of the magic plant - the mandrake. The aforementioned sources report that during the reproduction of the elephant's offspring, the elephant protects it from the evil serpent.

It is interesting to note that in the Bible booksSatan is called the Ancient Serpent and the Dragon. And we already know that in the myths of medieval Europe elephants defeated the dragons. Another religion is Hinduism, among the many gods it is represented by the deity of wisdom and well-being of Ganesha. The god Ganesha is depicted as a man of full constitution, having an elephant head with one tusk. The creature sits on top of a Wahan, which is a rat. Ganesha can have two or more hands.

What does the elephant symbolize in Feng Shui: Here it is a favorable sign associated with stability and well-being. This animal, according to Feng Shui, has the ability to draw abundance, luck and prosperity through the trunk through the trunk. To achieve this goal, the elephant figure must be placed on one of the windowsills. In this case, the trunk should be deployed in the direction of the auspicious star. About which star protects the owner of the house, can tell a horoscope. Instead of a figurine, you can have an image of this symbol in your house, or even better, that both are. As a talisman, even plush children's toys of elephants are not bad.