GOD OF GOOD LUCK, the elephant-headed divinity Ganesha is traditionally shown with a fat belly, symbolizing the 48 prosperity that he brings to those who worship him.
ABABYELEPHANT. struggling to stand upright PLAYFUL ELEPHANTS-lUfl/Wing in the lotus C at the feet of its mother, was carved in stone pool, dancing on the shore—are depicted at Mamallapuram, a sacred Indian site, under a blazing sky before the monsoon.
According to Hindu mythology, the first elephants in the world had wings and consorted with the clouds. One day, however, a group of elephants alighted on a branch under which an ascetic saint was teaching his pupils. Not surprisingly, the branch broke and fell on the pupils, killing several of them and enraging the saint, who called on the gods to deprive the elephants of their wings. But the elephants remained friendly with the clouds, and it was still in their power to call upon their former heavenly companions to bring rain. For this blessed ability elephants are still honored in India. Particularly revered are the pure white elephants traditionally kept by kings, who consider the discovery of one of these rare specimens to be an omen of good fortune. Worshiping them is associated with rainfall and bountiful crops. Even today the symbol of good luck is an elephant-headed divinity called Ganesha, to whom Hindus pray before every important undertaking.
World History
