Since I was young I have felt intrigued by elephants. One of my biggest dreams is to ride an elephant or have any kind of interaction with one. Every time I find any clothes, bikinis, tattoos, paintings, decorations, accessories, or basically anything that contains an elephant in it, I automatically buy it. They are my number one inspiration for my art pieces, an animal with a high significance to me, a very powerful symbol, and a creature that brings me so many questions.
For many cultures, countries, and religions, such as Buddhism, India, Thailand, and Africa, elephants are sacred and very valuable creatures.
- In buddhism, the elephant is a symbol of mental strength. It is the god of luck, fortune, protection, and blessings.
- Hindus have worshiped elephants for many centuries, specially for what they represent: obedience to the dharma (the master's call), ability not to repeat past mistakes, and respect and care towards their peers. The Elephant God is called Lord Ganesha or Ganapati.
- Since ancient days, elephants have been a cultural icon of Thailand. Elephants played their part in the numerous battles fought between the armies of Thailand and Burma. They are a great symbol of fortune for Thai people, and they are recognized for their intelligence and their memory.
Elephants are one of the largest, if not THE largest animals in the world, nevertheless they are one of the most tranquil ones. They are everything but aggressive. So, why does a creature so big which could be extremely dangerous be so pacific?
Did you know that elephants are considered to be one of the animals with the best memory? It is said that if an elephant meets a human, they will never ever forget them. So if you find yourself with an elephant for a second time, no matter how long it has been he or she WILL recognise you. Also, elephants remember all the paths they take, so they will never repeat a path that once had them in danger.
Another fun fact about elephants is that they are very sensible to emotions. It is said that the elephant is the only creature who could possibly die of a broken heart. Yes, this may seem impossible but elephants live in a large group and elephant partners always walk together. So if one of them leaves, or dies the other will die of sadness. If they happen to see the bones of an elephant that belonged to their group, they make a loud noise and let the others know that one of them is gone, so that they can come and silently say goodbye.
Isn't it impressive, that an animal so massive and rough looking can have such a large heart?
This is one of the main reasons why I really find elephants captivating. To me, they are not only beautiful creatures but I find them a representation of something much bigger.
Misconceptions and judgements are made every day. People will decide who you are and what you stand for based on your race, nationality or beliefs. It is sad to see these stereotypes being stamped everywhere, even though we live in such a diverse world. I find it that elephants are the perfect example of these misconceptions; not everything that is big and intimidating has to be indeed mean and aggressive.
To me, elephants are the constant reminder that we shouldn't “judge a book by its cover”, and that we have to be more accepting of one another. To me they also represent endless love, wisdom and intelligence. I find peace within them, and every single aspect about them incredibly extraordinary.
Elephants are mainly characterised for having small eyes and huge ears; They don’t use the eyes of the physical body, but the ones of the spirit, they listen more than they speak. They do not fear, but they are extremely docile. They are completely disciplined in accomplishing every task, no matter the obstacles. These characteristics would seem to be describing the perfect human, but it is rather the perfect description of elephants.
Last week, I had an interview with an art teacher to start having Art classes. I’ve always loved art, and there is nothing I enjoy more than spending hours painting, drawing, and simply allowing myself to drift away with art. As I couldn’t get into IB Art at school, due to an excess of classes, I decided to contact an art teacher and start classes with him. Since our interview, I have been searching for inspiration to take to his classes, and I have constantly ended up with images and quotes about elephants. I am very excited to start learning and expressing myself through art, and showcasing my love for elephants through it.
So, what are you inspired by?