Elephant Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

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Elephant Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary? ›

Britannica Dictionary definition of ELEPHANT. [count] : a very large gray animal that has a long, flexible nose and two long tusks — see also white elephant

elephant. noun. el·​e·​phant ˈel-ə-fənt. : any of a family of huge thickset nearly hairless mammals that have the snout lengthened into a trunk and two incisors in the upper jaw developed into long outward-curving pointed ivory tusks and that include two living forms: a.

Elephants are a sacred symbol in Hindu and Buddhist religions, representing loyalty, power, wisdom, and fertility. Elephants are associated with water and rainfalls, and the shape, size, and color of their bodies are said to be symbols of clouds.

It is attested in Mycenaean Greek as e-re-pa (genitive e-re-pa-to) in Linear B syllabic script. As in Mycenaean Greek, Homer used the Greek word to mean ivory, but after the time of Herodotus, it also referred to the animal. The word elephant appears in Middle English as olyfaunt ( c.

The metaphorical elephant represents an obvious problem or difficult situation that people do not want to talk about. The metaphorical elephant in the room represents an obvious problem or difficult situation that people do not want to talk about.

Elephants are mentioned in the Bible in Revelation 18:12, 1st Kings 10:22, and 2 Chronicles 9:21. The significance lies in the symbolism of elephants, representing strength, intelligence, and loyalty. Elephants symbolize God's power and wisdom; their ivory tusks highlight abundance and wealth.

The elephant holds the key to feminine wisdom and power. She brings with her ties to the trinity of the maiden, the mother, and the crone. The sacred feminine is anchored in the depth of her wisdom and compassion. Elephants are deeply rooted in their family lines.

Elephants are associated with abundance, which is related to overall good fortune. Some cultures depict elephants with rain clouds, and this is a direct reference to them being connected to the bountiful harvests produced by farming communities. In ancient times, some cultures enlisted elephants in the war effort.

Wealth and Prosperity: Elephants symbolize good fortune, protection, and wisdom in Feng Shui. When their trunks are pointed downward, they are thought to be collecting and storing positive energy and blessings.

These mythological and cultural Hindu beliefs have established elephants as sacred symbols of peace, mental strength, and power.

What are the personality characteristics of an elephant? ›

One characteristic that is really apparent with elephants—and with many other species—is that they can exude a wide variety of personalities. They can be bold or shy, laid-back or short-tempered, curious or afraid, and the list goes on.

Over 80 percent of Indians are Hindus, and to members of the Hindu religion, the elephant is a sacred animal. Elephants are sacred animals to Hindus. It is the living incarnation of one of their most important gods: Ganesh, an elephant-headed deity who rides atop a tiny mouse.

This phrase is interestingly deterministic. When someone says that 'the elephant never fails to carry its tusks', they are saying, someone will solve something because it is theirs to solve.

There is also a superstition that they should be facing outwards and towards the East for good luck in a home or business. A few believe it is better if the trunk is down because this means the elephant lets good fortune flow freely and naturally on everyone's path.

wisdom, strength, moderation and eternity. power.

The English word for. elephant means “huge arch”, coming from a. combination of the Greek word “ele” meaning “arch” and the Latin “phant” meaning “huge”. #elephants #elefante #FunFactFriday #EleFunFact.

powerful, majestic, regal, sentient, intelligent, sensitive, naughty, playful, emotional, conscious, strong, perceptive, resilient, intuitive, caring, compassionate, intimidating, curious, aware, intent, complex. When you get to know elephants intimately, you will realize they are all these things and more.

The trunk position in figurines is an indication of whether the elephant is wise or not. If the trunk points up, then it symbolizes that the animal has achieved enlightenment and has become wise. If it points down, then it means that they are not yet enlightened and are still learning.

The elephant is the largest living land animal, and is taken as a type of something of great size and weight.