Description
Ganesh in the Hindu pantheon is one of the sons of Shiva and Parvati (with Skanda). It symbolizes
wealth, wisdom, luck.
One of the stories of its origin (for there are many)
Parvati, alone, longed for the long absences of Shiva: one day came to her the idea of modeling a son, to whom she gave life in the Ganges. She instructed him to guard her apartments and not let anyone in under any pretext. Shiva, returning home, found a man outside his door: furious he beheaded him with his trident. Indignant Parvati demanded from the Gods that they bring her son back to life before the end of the day: the gods decided to cut off the head of the first newborn baby found who happened to be a baby elephant!
This statuette of Ganesh symbolizes: wisdom
Posture Sitting - in the half-lotus position (Virâsana) - characteristic position of the deity who defeated the demons. Ganesh's belly is always large: it is the center of vital energies, contained by the serpent which retains them.
Gestures The right arm with the bent elbow holds an ax and the left arm, bent elbow holds a lotus flower. His other two hands make the gesture of protection (the one where he also holds the piece of his broken tusk) and of abundance (the laddhu candy contained in the palm). The sacred cord of the Brahmins, marked by a very discreet thread, adorns his belly.
Clothing A sacred cord, no jewelry, simple woven pants: his outfit is very sober.
Headgear High bun topped with cobra, his forehead is decorated with the trident symbol of Shiva.
Mount Rat - Mushaka - Symbol of both lust and disease but also prosperity and wealth, intelligence ... The rat can represent Ganesh on its own: it emphasizes the ambivalence of Ganesh which unites the opposites: large/small - half animal/half human - lively spirit in a massive body... Doesn't her belly include the entire universe ?
Attributes and weapons The battle-axe is the symbolic weapon which triumphs over ignorance and attachment. The lotus symbolizes the maternal breast (origin of life), wisdom: knowledge that leads to awakening, purity (and therefore the transformation that allows the expression of beauty in a marshy environment), peace.