Spirit Animal - Elephant

Elephants trying out their strength against each other! - Microsoft Clipart

One of the largest land mammals is the Elephant. Most people have some fondness for Elephant because we know it as the one animal that never forgets, and it is the largest animal that is afraid of mice. Scientists have proven that the first belief is true while the second belief is not. So, what else do we know about Elephant?

Some of the physical facts about elephants show them to be similar to humans – well except for the trunk! The facts (from elephant.elehost.com) are as follows:

 Elephants typically reach puberty at thirteen or fourteen years of age

 They have offspring up until they are around fifty years old

 They may live seventy years or possibly more

 A cow produces a single calf and in very rare cases twins

 The interval between births is between two and a half to four years

 An elephant´s trunk, a union of the nose and upper lip, is a highly sensitive organ with over 100,000 muscle units.

We also know that Elephant has been prized for their power and strength and ivory through history.  Many Asian and African cultures revere Elephant, and in fact, the Hindu God, Ganesha, has an Elephant head. Ganesha is also known as the “Remover of Obstacles”.

Despite their great weight elephants walk almost noiselessly. Their stride is exceptionally graceful and rhythmic. Their hearing, smell, taste and touch is acute.  This compensates for their poor eyesight.  Their eyes are small in relation to the enormous head, which can only turn slightly from side to side.  This limited movement results in restricted side vision. Those with this medicine feel things deeply and respond to those feelings from a place of inner knowing.  Because their peripheral vision is limited they have a tendency to look straight ahead and not always see what is around them. 

Loyal and affectionate elephants are willing to risk their life for the sake of others in a family group.  Wild elephants have been known to grieve and even shed tears over the death of a family member.  They have excellent memories and when mistreated they often seek revenge.

This beautiful creature holds the teachings of compassion, loyalty, strength, intelligence, discernment and power to name a few.  If this is your medicine these virtues are a part of your natural character.  By applying these gifts in your life soul evolution is achieved.