Introduction:
When it comes to feng shui, the symbolism and placement of elephants hold immense significance. Despite being the largest land animal on the planet, elephants are rarely seen in feng shuied homes. This is because feng shui items are believed to be most effective when homeowners have a strong affinity for them. Nevertheless, elephants have a powerful presence in Chinese culture and cannot be ignored in the practice of feng shui. Let us explore the symbolism and placement of elephants in feng shui to understand how they enhance wealth, harmony, and fortune.
Elephants in Chinese Culture
In Chinese culture, elephants hold deep symbolism. The elongated nose of an elephant represents wealth, while its ears are associated with blessings. However, what's most intriguing is the significance of an elephant's front legs. When in a kneeling position, an elephant's fore legs resemble a person squatting on a toilet. Surprisingly, this resemblance is directly connected to prosperity and good fortune luck. The Chinese word for "prostate" is written as "匐" and pronounced as "Fu," which sounds similar to "福" meaning wealth. Similarly, the word for "kneel" is written as "跪" and pronounced as "Gui," which is a homonym for "贵" meaning valuable. Together, "福贵" represents wealth and social status. Although it may sound unusual, this story highlights the intricate symbolism associated with elephants in Chinese culture.
The four legs of an elephant symbolize stability, offering smoother routes and journeys in both careers and life. Elephants also frequently appear in auspicious Chinese paintings due to their mandarin word, "xiang" (象), which is a pun for "祥" meaning auspiciousness and good luck. Different depictions of elephants carry various meanings. For example, when an elephant carries a large lily on its back, it represents a call for renewal in the new year. Furthermore, when an elephant carries a huge vase on its back, it symbolizes peace and harmony as the vase is believed to belong to the Goddess of Mercy, containing water of purity. The presence of a man sitting on an elephant typically represents the mythical Emperor Shun, who was a symbol of filial piety. Elephants depicted with precious objects on their backs signify the arrival of wealth, while a boy sitting on an elephant represents a good omen. These fascinating representations further emphasize the importance of elephants in Chinese culture.
Elephants in Feng Shui
In feng shui, elephants are always placed in pairs. As social animals, they should not be subjected to loneliness as it can lead to depression.
A pair of elephants exudes strength and presence, making them ideal protectors of the house against internal and external sha chi or negative energy. For instance, if a crossroad junction is located in front of a window, which is considered bad energy in feng shui, placing a couple of elephants facing the junction can help subdue the negative energy. However, it is crucial to ensure that the elephants have proper backing and support in such circumstances.
Miniature elephants can also be displayed in wealth locations, especially in the primary wealth corner. Moreover, it is believed that a pair of relaxed elephants in the bedroom, with their trunks down, can attract fertility luck. In general, elephants can also be placed outside the front door or window, especially if there is an external water feature like a fountain or fish pond. This provides them with a constant source of water, symbolizing wealth, which they can draw from and bestow upon the house.
When identifying the gender of elephants, it is customary to position the male on the left and the female on the right. Male elephants are often sculpted with their trunks facing down or out, while female elephants are depicted with their trunks curled inwards.
By understanding the symbolism and placement of elephants in feng shui, we can create a harmonious and prosperous environment that attracts wealth, fortune, and positive energy into our lives.
Original Article Source: Piyush Agarwal, Saigon Intela