Cotton bag with elephant 11,5 x 17 cm

The elephant, with its strength and size, symbolises power. It stands for patience, wisdom and sternness. The elephant is kind and sensitive, family-oriented, majestic and magnificent. He is a gentle giant, a good protector, a wise leader. He has captivated the human imagination for millennia. He has become a symbol of dignity, pride and inner strength, thanks to his calm demeanour and dignity and his grounded way of moving. For their size and the thickness of their skin, they are admirably sensitive to touch and vibration. With their tusks, they are able to hear the vibrations of other elephants or other movements from miles away. Some Asian religious traditions regard the elephant as a deity, such as the Indian deity Ganesha, who has an elephant’s head and a human body. He is the god of wisdom and prosperity, able to remove difficult obstacles and always supportive in new endeavours. Elephants build strong social relationships and care for all family members, as well as mourning for departed members. Certainly at certain stages of life and in certain situations they may defend themselves aggressively. More often, however, they are playful and curious. The leader of their herd is the matriarchal, eldest elephant grandmother. She remembers where to look for food and water at different times of the year, and she consults with her herd members on important decisions. The elephant reminds people that every day we have the opportunity to share our support and care with others. Hence the spiritual challenge for humans – to develop empathy.