What Does a Spiritual Elephant Symbolize? Meanings, History & More

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Learn the spiritual and religious meanings of elephants
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In spirituality, elephants represent wisdom, strength, and prosperity. Throughout history and different cultures, elephants have come to represent many different things. From community to self-reliance, it can be tough to pinpoint all of the different meanings of the spiritual elephant. Read on to learn the meanings of the spiritual elephant in Christianity and Hinduism, look at its historical significance, and more!

What does the spiritual elephant symbolize?

Elephants symbolize strength, wisdom, and perseverance. Their ability to remain stable in the face of challenges symbolizes perseverance and power, while their strong minds and gentle demeanors symbolize connection with your own inner wisdom and ability to self-actualize.

Section 1 of 9:

What does an elephant symbolize in spirituality?

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  1. 1
    Elephants represent wisdom, strength, prosperity, and self-actualization. Elephants are some of the strongest and smartest animals on the planet. They are reminders that knowledge and strength can be used to determine your own fate. They symbolize the strength that comes with using your power and wisdom to reach your goals and prosper. [1]
    • Elephants remind you to recognize your own power and to practice wisdom when exercising that power. You have power that can be used to improve your life and the lives of those around you.
  2. 2
    An elephant reminds you of your ability to protect. Elephants are strong and protective, relying on their senses to seek out danger and stop it. They use aggression when necessary, but are gentle towards those they love. This can inspire you to protect your surroundings and loved ones, especially if they’re weaker than you. [2]
    • The spiritual elephant encourages using your power and strength to protect yourself and others.
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  3. 3
    Elephants also represent intuition, stability, and earthly connection. Not only are elephants powerful, they are also stable and in tune with the Earth. In spirituality, they can be called upon during times of instability, serving as a reminder that you can rise above your challenges, lean into your intuition, and remain grounded during tough times. [3]
  4. 4
    An elephant also represents a nurturing instinct. Elephants take great care of their children, watching over them when they play and doing whatever they can to keep them from harm. They serve as reminders of your own nurturing instincts, encouraging you to nurture yourself and others so that you can develop your skills and passionately pursue your goals. [4]
    • Nurture yourself by eating healthy foods , exercising, and giving yourself grace during difficult times.
    • Nurture others by being there for friends or loved ones when they are struggling and showing them love and compassion.
  5. 5
    Elephants can boost your positive energy. The elephant provides strength in dark, difficult times, serving as a light in the darkness. It encourages you to overcome obstacles by providing you with strength that boosts your positive energy and gives you hope. When you’re stressed or anxious, elephants remind you that willpower and perseverance are the best ways to cope with difficult tasks.
    • The elephant encourages self-sufficiency by giving you strength in life’s tough moments, inspiring hope and strength.
  6. 6
    The elephant also represents repressed anger. Although it’s one of the gentlest animals in the animal kingdom, elephants have been known to become violent without warning. This represents resentment and anger. If you suppress your anger, the elephant can guide you when you need to express that anger. It also shows how strong anger is when used wisely.
    • Elephants show how anger feels and how it unfolds, serving as a guide for letting it go freely.
  7. 7
    Elephants are a reminder to relax and slow down. The elephant is strong, but often moves slowly. This shows that you can slow down and retain your strength. There’s no need to rush, even when you have a lot to do. The elephant serves as a reminder that when things take a while, they are usually worth the wait.
  8. 8
    Elephants also represent sensitivity and empathy. The elephant is extremely sensitive to its surroundings. Its strong senses and emotions encourage you to become more in tune with your sensitivity and use it as a gift. Breathe deeply, pay attention to your surroundings, and use your sensitivity as a strength that encourages you to think deeply and feel the emotions of others. [5]
    • Your sensitivity is nothing to be ashamed of. Be open and honest about it to encourage a stronger emotional connection with yourself and others.
  9. 9
    Elephants symbolize the strength and importance of community. Elephants live in close family communities and are extremely loyal. They’ll risk their lives to protect their loved ones. Therefore, elephants can remind you of the strength, power, and compassion that comes with community, helping you appreciate them more.
    • Your community can be there for you during times of struggle. [6]
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Section 2 of 9:

When should you call on the elephant?

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  1. 1
    Call on the elephant to remind you of your inner strength. When you feel weak or vulnerable, the elephant tendency to persevere in difficult times can serve as a reminder that you’re stronger than you think. Call upon the elephant when you need to be reminded of how resilient you are. [7]
  2. 2
    When you need protection, call on the elephant. The elephant can encourage strong self-protection due to their inner strength. Lean on the elephant spirit to feel more protected during moments of struggle.
    • When you feel the need to protect others, call on the elephant spirit for strength.
  3. 3
    Call on the elephant when you need encouragement to relax and breathe. Elephants, although strong and fast, know when to take things slow. When you find yourself rushing through life and stressing about everything that needs to get done, slow down and call on the elephant for a reminder to relax and breathe, because everything will be okay.
  4. 4
    Call on the elephant when you need stability in your life. The elephant’s long legs represent stability in the face of challenges. When you are feeling unstable and need a reminder that you’re strong, stable, and capable, call on the elephant. [8]
  5. 5
    When you need a reminder of your own strength, call on the elephant. The elephant represents power and inner strength. There are moments where you may feel powerless in the face of adversity. During those moments, calling on the mighty elephant can remind you of how powerful you really are when you put your mind to it. [9]
  6. 6
    Call on the elephant when you feel conflicted. During conflicting times in life, the elephant encourages you to lean into your intelligence and intuition for the answer. Rely on the wisdom of the elephant to guide you as you explore your intuition to make better choices. [10]
  7. 7
    When you’re down on your luck, call on the elephant to turn things around. Elephants have been a symbol of luck and prosperity throughout history. People in Asia and India have called on the elephant to protect them from predators and encourage good luck. When you’re in need of luck, call on the elephant to help turn things around. [11]
  8. 8
    When you need to feel reverent in your life, call on the elephant. The elephant’s large, magnificent stature is often revering and calls for respect. When you feel the need for respect and reverence, call on the elephant and lean into their spiritual energy.
  9. 9
    When you want to tap into your feminine energy, call on the elephant. The elephants live in a matriarchy, which means their women stay together for life to raise their young and protect one another. When you want to lean into the energy of a matriarch and encourage nurture and mutual protection, call on the elephant. [12]
  10. 10
    Call on the elephant to remind you of your community. Since elephants are so close to their community, they can serve as a reminder of the importance of community. When you’re feeling lonely or in need of help, call on the elephant to encourage you to reach out to your loved ones. [13]
  11. 11
    When you want to live a long, healthy life, call on the elephant. The elephant is viewed as a symbol of vitality and longevity, as they tend to live long lives. If you desire a life full of longevity and strength, call on the elephant.
  12. 12
    Call on the elephant when you need a reminder of how similar everyone is. Elephants work together in times of danger, doing all they can to protect their loved ones. This is a great model for how you can live your life. Despite everyone’s differences, you can call on the elephant in times of distress to remind you that everyone is trying to survive and prosper. [14]
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Section 3 of 9:

What does an elephant symbolize in India?

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  1. The Hindu God, Ganesha, represents overcoming obstacles. Highly respected in Indian culture, Ganesha removes obstacles and allows you to see your inner beauty no matter what life throws at you. He represents the fact that you can start from anywhere and still become great. [15]
    • Ganesha has the head of an elephant and the body of a human.
Section 4 of 9:

What does an elephant symbolize in Africa?

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  1. In Africa, elephants symbolize wisdom, royalty, and strength. African art and tales often depict elephants as strong, fabulous beasts who represent strong social bonds, family values, trust, and loyalty. Nzame, the Supreme African God, appointed the elephant as one of the animal rulers due to its great wisdom. Elephants are so revered in African culture that they receive proper burials. [16]
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Section 5 of 9:

What does an elephant symbolize in China?

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  1. In China, elephants represent good luck, wisdom, and high vibration. An elephant is a key figure in feng shui, the Chinese philosophy of positioning things in your surroundings to emphasize chi flow. Elephants build good chi and are used for protection from harmful energy. An elephant statue represents good luck and protection, especially when placed at your front door. [17]
Section 6 of 9:

What does an elephant symbolize in Christianity?

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  1. For Christians, elephants symbolize the strength of prayer. In the story of Noah’s Ark, the elephants eat so much food that they threaten to tip the Ark over. In response, Noah prays to God and is instructed to tickle the hyena. This scares a mouse into hiding under a head of cabbage, which scares the elephants to opposite sides of the boat and restores balance. [18]
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Section 7 of 9:

Spiritual Elephant Meaning Throughout History

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  1. In history, elephants have been a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Their size and intelligence once led people lost in the forest back onto the right path. Their strength also protected people from predators, making them a symbol of strength and protection. The elephant was even used as a good luck talisman in ancient cultures across the world. [19]
Section 8 of 9:

How to Incorporate the Spiritual Elephant Into Your Life

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  1. Call on the elephant in your time of need and get an elephant talisman. By calling on the elephant during times of need, you will incorporate the spirit into your life. You may find yourself becoming more comfortable with your inner feelings and wisdom. Get an elephant talisman to encourage good luck and protection from harm. Embrace the elephant by practicing balance and giving grace to yourself and others. [20]
    • When you’re having a hard time dealing with life’s obstacles, call on the elephant for wisdom and guidance.
    • Elephants are a great spirit animal, as they encourage reliance on inner strength and wisdom.
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Section 9 of 9:

What do dreams involving elephants mean?

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  1. Dreams with elephants represent wisdom, strength, or a need for action. Seeing an elephant in your dream can mean that you’re in need of strength. It can also represent great loss or a need for wisdom. Some interpretations of an elephant in your dream include:
    • Seeing an elephant in your dream may represent a need for wisdom and understanding. You may be subconsciously yearning for new information or understanding about the world, and an elephant in your dream encourages you to tap into your own wisdom and knowledge from life’s experiences. [21]
    • Being attacked by an elephant or seeing an elephant attack others may mean that someone in your life is encouraging you to do something that is against your best wishes. They may be intimidating you to enact their vision, rather than going with your own.
      • Being attacked by an elephant can also mean that you need to address any problems in your life that you have been avoiding.
      • Being chased by an elephant can represent someone chasing you to make you do something that goes against your wishes.
    • Riding an elephant in your dream can represent a burden that you can’t carry on your own. If the ride feels controlled and the elephant seems calm, this can represent patience and good fortune.
    • Dreaming about an elephant being hunted can represent a fear of something bad happening to you. It can also mean someone in your circle is making you suffer. If the elephant escapes in your dream, it can mean that you have the strength to overcome life’s obstacles before they become too great to bear.
    • Dreaming about an elephant with babies can represent coming life changes. It can also mean you’re struggling to bring new ideas and practices to life.
    • Dreaming about a caged elephant can symbolize your personal potential for power or strength. An elephant still has their strength in a cage, which can represent how you still have strength despite challenges you’re facing.
    • Dreaming about an injured or dead elephant symbolizes great loss. It may be a sign that you’re still grieving over a recent loss, whether it be the end of a relationship, the death of a family member, or something else.
    • A white elephant in your dream represents purity, goodness, and joy. White elephants are known to bring hope, fortune, and wisdom in Buddhist cultures. Buddha’s mother even dreamed of the white elephant before Buddha’s birth, symbolizing the birth of a great person. [22]

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/elephant-symbolism#mbg-vKkEXAdFXf7
      2. ↑ https://www.nobbier.com/blogs/editorial/meaning-and-symbolism-of-elephant-jewelry/
      3. ↑ https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/elephant-symbolism#mbg-R2K_fWQfCNP
      4. ↑ https://www.spiritual-galaxy.com/elephant-symbolism-meaning/#Elephants_and_Nurturing
      5. ↑ https://www.spiritual-galaxy.com/elephant-spirit-animal/#Elephant_Spiritual_Meaning
      6. ↑ https://www.nobbier.com/blogs/editorial/meaning-and-symbolism-of-elephant-jewelry/
      7. ↑ https://www.spiritual-galaxy.com/elephant-symbolism-meaning/#What_Does_it_Mean_if_You_Have_an_Elephant_as_Your_Spirit_Animal
      8. ↑ https://www.spiritual-galaxy.com/elephant-symbolism-meaning/#Elephants_and_Protection
      9. ↑ https://www.spiritual-galaxy.com/elephant-spirit-animal/#Elephant_Spiritual_Meaning
      1. ↑ https://www.aboutmybrain.com/cards/spirit-animals-oracle-deck/elephant
      2. ↑ https://www.ifaw.org/journal/asian-elephant-coexist
      3. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/matriarchy
      4. ↑ https://www.spiritual-galaxy.com/elephant-spirit-animal/#Elephant_Spiritual_Meaning
      5. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8478180/
      6. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ganesha
      7. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/elephant-symbolism/#africa
      8. ↑ https://www.makaan.com/iq/living/feng-shui-7-ways-to-use-elephant-in-your-home-decor
      9. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/elephant-symbolism/#christ
      10. ↑ https://worldbirds.com/elephant-symbolism/#symbolism
      11. ↑ https://www.aboutmybrain.com/cards/spirit-animals-oracle-deck/elephant
      12. ↑ https://mindberg.org/insights/elephant-in-dream-meaning/
      13. ↑ https://spiritualdesk.com/white-elephant-spiritual-meaning/

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