The elephant figurine holds an important place in Hindu mythology and is often used in home décor, to symbolise power, integrity and strength. Ganesha is the elephant-headed God, who bestows blessings and clears obstacles. Elephants have also been associated with Gautama Buddha. The elephant vehicle of Goddesses Lakshmi and Lord Indra represents divine knowledge and royal power. Elephants, in Feng Shui, symbolise power, wisdom, good luck and fertility. People often include statues and paintings of elephants, to bring positivity to a home.
Elephant showpieces, as per Vastu and Feng Shui, should be placed near the front door or main entrance of the house or office. The The best direction to keep an elephant statue is facing north direction to attract good luck and positive energies.
Elephant statue Vastu: Quick facts
Best direction to place elephant as per Vastu
North
Best location to place elephant as per Vastu
House entrance, bedroom, children’s room, study room and office
Location to avoid when placing elephant
Bathroom, kitchen
Types of elephant as per Vastu
Brass, silver, white elephant, elephant standing on coins, Elephants holding crystal ball and others
Elephant trunk postures
Upwards represents good luck
Downward represents longevity
Elephant statue significance
Good luck, health, wealth, love and faithfulness, knowledge, career growth
Ideal number of elephant statues
Two or three
Elephant statue Vastu benefits
Strength and wisdom: Elephants represent strength, power and wisdom. Like a snow mountain, the elephant embodies dignity and majesty. Elephants depicted to stand on their two feet with their trunks in the air signify strength and power.
Positive energies: As per Vastu, elephant symbols invite positive energies into your home and life.
Auspicious symbol: White elephants are considered very auspicious. It is said that the Buddha’s mother dreamt of a white elephant, before she gave birth to him.
Success: Elephant is symbolic of lord Ganesha who is believed to bring lots of goodness in the form of luck, success and protection. Elephants are known for their powerful memory and sharp mental acumen. If you are seeking luck in academics, love or relationships, keep the artifact facing outwards from the front door.
Wealth and prosperity: Elephants are represented in images to serve Goddess Lakshmi, bringing wealth and prosperity. Elephants are a particularly powerful image of prosperity and royalty. Elephants are also connected to grey rain clouds, to bring bountiful harvests.
Good luck: The combination of all the characters of an elephant together brings in good luck. Keeping an elephant statue at the entrance or the foyer with its face away from the door is believed to attract good fortune.
Protection: Placing an elephant figurine with its face towards the house ensures protection of the house and its occupants. The elephant statue guards the house against negative forces.
Elephant significance in different cultures
In Chinese culture, the elephant is regarded as a symbol of power and intelligence.
In Buddhism, elephants symbolise physical and mental power. They serve as protectors of Buddha and the planet Earth. Gautama Buddha is often represented as an elephant. Before his birth, his mother is thought to have had visions or dreams of a white elephant with six tusks.
In the Asante or Ashanti tribe of Ghana in West Africa, elephants are considered the reincarnations of past kings and queens.
Type of elephant figurines and their Vastu significance
Type and colours of elephant figurine
Significance
White elephant
Richness, luxury, wealth
Red elephant
Fame and recognition
Black elephant
Prosperity and success
Green elephant
Good luck and power
Trunk in the upward direction
Fortune, success
Elephant standing on rear legs
Power, protection
Two elephants crossing their trunks
Bonding, friendship
Two elephants with one of them without tusk
Healthy relationship between males and females
Three elephants
Peaceful family life
Elephants holding crystal ball
Will help to bring harmony and balance in one’s life
A proud elephant standing on coins
Symbolises power, wisdom, wealth and protection of the home
According to Feng Shui, while a raised elephant trunk symbolises good mood, a trunk that is down means focus and sensuality.
Where to keep an elephant statue at home?
Home entrance
As elephants are considered to act as saviours and protectors, placing the statues at the front door is considered to be lucky. You can place a pair of elephants with their trunks raised up if your home has a wide entrance, facing inwards. You can also place the auspicious Gajalakshmi elephant near the front entrance or the north-east corner of the house. If you want to guard your home from evil or negative energy, you can place it facing outwards, according to Feng Shui.
Office
If you have a small home office or workspace, you can also place an elephant statue near the door or entrance space. Elephants are the guards and the protectors of an office and the household. Placing an elephant statue or painting near the front entrance will prevent the chi energy from leaving. Placing the statue on the work desk aids increased concentration, focus and helps to deal with pressure.
If you are looking for growth in your career, place an elephant figurine at the workstation. You can keep a picture of an elephant in your work diary or work stationery, to enhance your leadership qualities and improve your performance under pressure.
Children’s room
Hanging elephant paintings in the study room or office, is also considered lucky as recommended in Vastu. Opt for a mother-child combination of elephants, if you want to hang one in your children’s room. According to Feng Shui, you can also place the figure in the form of wallpaper or toys, to strengthen their knowledge and improve their focus level. If possible, keep the statue of the toy on their study table.
Bedroom
According to Vastu, hang a painting of elephants in the bedroom, for strengthening your relationship with your spouse. You can also place a pair of elephants in the form of a statue or painting or even cushion covers.
If you do not prefer a statue, you can go for a beautiful elephant painting, which brings good Vastu effects in the house.
Placing an image of a mother elephant and her baby in the parent’s bedroom or child’s bedroom, strengthens the bond between the child and the parents. This nurturing symbol can be placed in the family room too.
Elephant Vastu: Places to avoid
Bathroom: While you pay attention to the right elephant vastu direction, you should be aware of the right location for the statue. Elephant figurines should never be placed in the bathroom.
Kitchen: According to Vastu, one should avoid placing elephant figurines or photos in the Kitchen area.
Also avoid keeping elephant painting or pictures depicting war, violence and animal cruelty, as per the rules of Vastu Shastra.
Colour and types of different elephant statues
Brass elephants statue Vastu direction
Brass elephants statue as per Vastu are considered the best, for keeping in the bedroom, as it eliminates differences between couples.
Placing brass elephants in the meeting room brings peace and prosperity at the workplace. In addition, it also works to give success in every sphere of life.
Silver elephant statue Vastu direction
Placing a solid silver elephant in the house brings luck and fortune. A solid silver elephant figurine should be placed in the north direction. Silver is considered auspicious. Keep a silver elephant figurine wrapped in a red cloth inside the safe at home or office, to invite blessings and attract wealth.
White elephant Vastu directions
White is considered an auspicious colour and it denotes peace and purity. Thus, one can keep a white elephant in the house to attract good fortune and luxury to the home.
Black elephant Vastu direction
One can keep a black elephant in the house, which is said to attract prosperity and success.
Elephant statue Vastu for spouse
One can keep a set of elephant figurines or a painting in the bedroom, which strengthens relationships between couples and works as a solution for infertility. Thus, it ensures positivity in couples planning for a baby.
Elephant statue Vastu for children
Elephants symbol denote sharp memory and can be placed in the children’s bedroom or study room. This will attract good luck and success in academics. A painting or figurine depicting a mother elephant with a younger elephant helps strengthen the bond between parents and children.
Seven elephants Vastu
You can also place seven elephants statue in a line, as it represents eternity and symbolises longevity and overcoming of death. These seven elephants represent happiness, wisdom, prudence, royal dignity, invincible power, longevity and intelligence.
See also: Know which tortoise is good for home decor
Elephant Vastu: Dos and don’ts
Dos
Select the elephant statue colour depending on the energy you want to attract into the house.
Make sure the statue or painting has a calm and joyful look. It is ideal for a children’s bedroom.
Align the elephant figurine in a way that it faces inside the house, bringing positive energy and love.
Don’ts
Do not keep the elephant figurines across the window or entrance door.
They should not face the bathroom or placed near one.
Avoid keeping broken idols or statues at home.
Do not keep elephant figurines or paintings that depict negative emotions.
Elephant with trunk up and down: Vastu significance
Elephant with trunk up meaning
An upward-pointed elephant trunk is said to bring energy, luck, prosperity and kindness. The elephant raises its trunk to greet friends and express happiness. Place an elephant with an upward trunk to be showered with good fortune and compassion.
An elephant figurine with the trunk in an upward direction also signifies fortune and success. Feng Shui experts also compare the elephant trunk to a vacuum cleaner that sweeps negative energy. Therefore, opt for an elephant statue that is holding something like a crystal ball or any other such element.
Similarly, as per Vastu, elephant statues with their trunks facing upwards are considered to be very lucky and bring good fortune to the family. Elephants with their trunks upwards and standing on the rear legs represent power and protection.
Downward pointed elephant trunk
The trunk in the downward direction represents ability to solve challenges and longevity. Contrary to popular belief, an elephant trunk in the downward direction, does not mean bad luck. Therefore, such statues are suitable for offices, warehouses, etc.
Two elephants crossing their trunks signifies bonding and friendship. If one of the elephants has a tusk and the other does not, it signifies a healthy relationship between males and females. Such statues are believed to have a positive impact on couples, if placed in the bedroom.
Also, it is believed that an elephant with the trunk pointed down stores luck and energy. It is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge allowing you to easily overcome various tasks and obstacles. To stay grounded at work or to reserve strength and vitality at home, keep an elephant with a trunk pointing downward.
A statue of a frog on an elephant or a monkey on an elephant in the north, brings stability in career. A laughing Buddha seated on an elephant carries sadness and woes away and brings good luck, according to Feng Shui. Four or more elephants on a tusk ( wooden or made from resin ) bridge brings good fortune and protection to the family. The blue elephant and rhinoceros are a Feng Shui symbol kept at home for protection from accidents, robbery and betrayal.
See also: Vastu tips for the bedroom
What direction do you face an elephant for good luck?
You can place elephants at house entrance to invite good luck. Place a pair of elephants on either side of the door for good luck and blessings for your family. The trunks, in this instance, should be raised as a symbol of trumpeting to attract luck into your home. Make sure the elephant statue is facing inside the house as it symbolises good luck. Elephant figurine facing the main door will protect the house from negative energies.
Elephant statue Vastu direction: How to place elephants for fertility?
Position of elephant statue
Effect
Front door
Good luck, protection and strength to the household
Bedroom
Promotes love and faithfulness
Family / children’s room
Makes the bond stronger between family members
Children’s room
Brings knowledge and academic success
North direction
For career growth
Master bedroom
Place seven elephants in couple’s bedroom as a solution for infertility
For couples aspiring for a child, place a pair of elephants on either side of the door opening into your bedroom. Ensure that the elephants face the bedroom. You can also keep the elephant statue on each of the bedside tables, facing the bed. One can also place a statue of seven elephants together in the bedroom as it is symbolises fertility.
When keeping elephant statue for home as per Vastu, you can also choose an elephant with the trunk down, as it is believed that an elephant with its trunk down can store and accumulate energy and can also push through various obstacles. Considered to a strong symbol of fertility, an elephant statue with her trunk down placed in your home’s fire element will play a key role in your marital relationship.
The north and the east corner are considered ideal, for the placement of Vastu elephant symbols and paintings.
See also: Vastu tips for Ganesha images and idols
Elephant showpiece Vastu: Décor ideas for good luck at home
To bring positivity and harmony, one can creatively use elephant figurines and designs in various ways at home. Elephant idols or figurines, in addition to their Vastu effects, can enhance any home done up in contemporary, vintage, industrial or minimal style.
See also: How to place 7 horses painting at home
Elephant painting
For the right effect, you can choose a painting of an elephant. Choose an image that depicts positive imagery. Avoid destructive, violent, or cruel images.
Elephant statues
Elephant statues can be used in décor at home or in office. One can incorporate elephant figurines as coffee table legs, in fountains, piggy banks, lamps, bookshelf holders, pen stands, elephant-shaped pottery, door handles, etc.
Vastu elephant photos
One can use elephant paintings, as prints on wall paper, decal wall art, or as designs on the cushions. Elephant photographs can be very powerful but they should be soothing images.
Vastu elephant images on textiles
If not possible to get a sculpture, you can use prints of elephants on textiles. Tapestry wall hanging, wallpaper, murals, draperies, and upholstery are equally effective.
According to Vastu, the main door decorated with Goddesses Lakshmi (with coins), seated on a lotus with elephants, is considered auspicious.
Placing Nettipattam at home
A lot of people place Nettipattam at home for Vastu reasons. Also called Caparison, Nettipattam is available as wall hangings, in different sizes.
Material of lucky elephant
Lucky elephant can be made from various materials, such as jade, silver, wood, marble, metal, poly resin, glass, porcelain, lac, etc. Besides plain elephant figurines one also can keep elephant figurines that are studded with gemstones, brightly painted or have ornate leafing done on them.
How many elephants can we keep at home?
You can keep figurines of two elephants at home to attract good luck. You can also keep three elephant statues as it denotes a peaceful family life and prevents conflicts among the family members.
Elephant for every Bagua area
Feng Shui recommends guidelines for each area of the Bagua map.
Xun for wealth: This area is related to royal abundance. Placing elephant figurines in this area brings more abundance and treasures in life.
Zhen, family and new beginnings: Keeping the elephant in this zone protect your family and signals new beginnings.
Tai Qi (Center): This zone represents well-being. The stability that an elephant symbolises ensures the overall wellness of the family members.
Qian, helpful people. Elephants are related to the trigram Qian, and the area of the bagua called Helpful People. The Qian energy will benefit the house with the support and blessings from the heavens.
Dui: Completion, Children: An elephant imagery here represents more protection and wisdom for children.
Gen: Self-cultivation, knowledge: The elephant symbol can activate the Gen area connected with one’s self-cultivation and knowledge.
Li: Fame, reputation: The Li area can be activated with the strong elephant symbol, which helps deal with obstacles related to your visibility, passion and inspiration.
Kan: Career: This feng shui bagua map is associated with wisdom and your path in life. The symbol of the elephant helps give a boost to one’s career.
Kun: Partnerships: Keep a pair of elephants in the love corner of the house, which boosts strength and endurance in relationships.
Housing.com News Viewpoint
Placing an elephant statue at home or office is an excellent idea to attract various benefits, including wealth, health and success. One can choose figurines of different colours and materials, which have specific significance. Also, note the correct Vastu direction when placing elephant statues at home or office.
FAQs
Is it bad luck for the elephant trunk to face down?
No, it does not represent bad luck.
How do you place an elephant statue in your house?
You can place an elephant statue, as per Vastu guidelines, anywhere, depending on the type of effect you want.
Who is Airavata?
Airavata is the sacred white elephant belonging to Indra and is the king of elephants.
Which colour elephant is good for home?
Elephant figurines can be white, grey, brown, red, green or any colour. All are associated with good luck.
Which direction we should keep elephant statue at home?
When placing elephant idol as per Vastu, it should be placed in the northern direction of the house.
Should an elephant face east or west?
When placing elephant figurines at home, they should face inwards towards the north direction.
What does elephant symbolise in Buddhism?
Elephants are known for their wisdom and intelligence. In Buddhism, elephants are seen as guardians of Buddha and the earth, denoting physical and mental strength. As per popular beliefs, Buddha reincarnated from white elephants that descended from the heaven.
Can we keep elephant statue in pooja room?
Keeping elephant figurine is considered auspicious as per Vastu Shastra. You can keep elephant statues in your pooja or living room area in the Vastu recommended direction to invite positive energies.
What is elephant in astrology?
In astrology, the planet Jupiter is the significator for an elephant.
Which Nakshatra is elephant?
According to Hindu astrology, the nakshatra Bharani is associated with the animal elephant. Moreover, in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed god. Thus, elephants are worshipped as the form of Lord Ganesha. Moreover, Bharani nakshatra has a connection to Ganesha.
What do three elephants symbolise?
A figurine or painting of three elephants is considered auspicious and eliminates negative energies symbolising good luck, health and harmony.
Are elephants a symbol of family?
Elephants are known to have a strong sense of community and have strong family bond. They represent loyalty, stability and security.
Which forms of elephants can be kept at home?
Paintings, photos, figurines and textile items depicting elephants can be kept at home.
Can we keep more than one elephant statue at home or office for Vastu?
Yes. More than one elephant figurines can be kept at home. Make sure to keep them at different places in the Vastu-recommended direction. This will help boost the overall positive energy flow in the house. When placing the elephant figurines, make sure it does not block any doors or windows as it can obstruct the energy flow.
Which colour elephant is good luck?
The colour of the elephant figurines can influence certain energies in the house. For instance, green elephants are associated with power and good luck.
Are black elephants lucky?
You can keep a set of black elephants, which are considered to bring success and prosperity.
Do elephants bring money?
Certain elephant figurines such as a white elephant, an elephant with coins or an elephant with trunk in upward direction are considered auspicious for attracting wealth. Moreover, when placed in the north direction, they attract wealth, according to Vastu.
(With inputs from Surbhi Gupta, Purnima Goswami Sharma and Aruna Rathod)
Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com
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