Elephants are revered symbols in many cultures as they are the largest living land mammals. In Feng Shui they stand for strength, protection, wisdom and luck!

As with all icons, touch your own connection. What do elephants mean to you? Bring your intuition together with ancient wisdom and use the elephant symbol to invite positive energies into your home and life.

Elephant Symbolism

Native to Asia and Africa, the elephant was admired and equated with mythical animals like the dragon and the phoenix. Buddhism originated in India and spread to East Asia with its symbols and teachings. Elephants are revered in Buddhism and are one of the seven precious treasures of the universal monarch. Like a snowy mountain, the elephant embodies dignity, majesty and power.

In much of Buddhist and Hindu iconography, deities ride elephants and are regarded as revered vehicles for transmitting spiritual teachings. In the Vedic systems, Ganesha is one of the most popular and loved deities. He has the head of an elephant and the body of a boy. In ancient times, elephants were trained to fight because they were so strong they could take down any obstacle. Therefore, Ganesha is the deity appointed to remove obstacles.

White Elephants

All elephant images are symbols of protection, good luck and wisdom, however, white elephants are particularly auspicious. It is said that the Buddha’s mother dreamed of a white elephant before giving birth to him.

Protection at Entrance  

A pair of elephant statues, similar to fu dogs, can be placed near the entrance of a home to provide protection. The two big and powerful elephants can fiercely guard the house. In ancient times, elephants were trained for war from a young age, so today we can consider them protective symbols.

For Feng Shui, they can be positioned to face outwards, thus guarding the main entrance of the home. The icons can be placed either on the inside or outside of the entry, as you choose.

Abundance

Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of abundance, is often depicted with four elephants. Elephants are a particularly powerful symbol of wealth and royalty. Elephants are also associated with gray rain clouds to bring bountiful harvests.