Ganesha Symbolism

Lord Ganesha, popularly known and easily recognized as the Elephant-God, is one of the most important deities of the Hindu patheon.

Before every undertaking, be it laying of the foundation of a house, or opening of astore or beginning any other work, Lord Ganesha is first worshipped so at to invoke his blessings.

Ganesha has many names. The main ones are Ganapati(lord of the ganas, or attendants), Vighneshwara(controller of all obstacles), Vinayaka (the prominentleader), Gajaanana (elephant-faced), Lambodara(pendant-bellied), and Ekdanta (having one tusk).

The complex form of the Ganesh idol is said to have been wrought by ancient sages to symbolise universal truths as revealed to them by divine inspiration. Each attribute of the icon conveys meanings on many different planes to which everyone can relate at an individual level.

The rotund body of Ganesh represents the Cosmos.
The elephant head denotes the serenity of wisdom and the power of gentle strength.
The broken tusk is the mark of the intellectual who inscribed the epic Mahabharata and then shed his ego on completion of the successful task.

On his forehead is the symbol " 3Õ " - 'OM',which is the Life Force that God breathed into his Creation;
hence it is said that the chant of "OM" indaily prayer, is the consent of man to let God enter him.
Thus the chant of "OM Ganesh' became synonymous with the start of every Hindu endeavour; murmured by the housewife as she begins the day with rituals in her little altar at home, the revered sound is echoed by the husband opening the shutters of his workplace; it can be heard reverberating in the hallowed walls of ancient temples or resounding at the consecration of anew temple; at the commencement of wedding nuptials or naming of a new-born child; when laying the foundation of a new building or founding a new political party,on starting on a journey or starting a new business.

Even rituals for the glory or invocation to other gods begin with the first invocation to Lord Ganesh..

In each of his four hands Ganesh holds an emblem of benediction.

The Lotus flower symbolises the gift of wealth, beauty and purity;

the Rosary denotes the spiritual and inspirational in prayer and meditation.

The Swastika, the true meaning of which is auspiciousness, attracts positive energies from all directions and brings divine blessing upon human endeavour.

The sweet laddu held in one hand demonstrates the joy of sharing the "sweets of life"with those around us.

The Sacred Thread worn across the left shoulder consists of three strands symbolising the Holy Trinity, the three dimensions of time - Past, Present and Future, the three domains of Heaven, Earth and the Underworld, and the three tellers A, U, M of the sound of "OM" the cosmic Life Force.

The snake encircling the waist represents cosmic energy called Kundalini which lies coiled at the base of the spine and when awakened through yoga energises the dormant power within all of us.

The mouse is the chosen mount of Lord Ganesh to carry the divine light into the darkest corners of the world and the narrowest of human hearts.

Ganesh's seat is the lotus flower - the symbol of purity and detachment; blossoming to the sunshine above even as its roots remain in the mire it represents the awakening of consciousness to receive the divine light even as one is rooted in the materialistic world.